Students & Young Professionals

Job: Engineer
Employer: Woodard & Curran
Years in Water: 7

Why I Work in Water: The need for clean water is universal and consistent. We are accustomed to daily lives that use mass amounts of water and expect that when we turn on the tap it will flow. My awareness of the infrastructure and resources required to bring clean water to my tap was extremely limited before I joined the water industry.

Now I feel like I am finally behind-the-scenes of a movie that I’ve watched dozens of times. It is my purpose to open the curtains to let others in.

Water is truly the most precious resource on the planet, and we must educate the communities around us to value water as such so that we may preserve it for generations to come.

Job: Sales Engineer
Employer: American Cast Iron Pipe Company
Years in Water: 4

Why I Work in Water: Growing up with an agricultural background, I often got to see firsthand the importance of water. Water plays a critical role in our food production across the world, and if we did not possess accessibility to meet our demands, that is an intimidating thought. Water is one of the world’s most critical resources and it is imperative we continue our ability to not only meet the demands of agriculture, but the immense demands required by society.

When transitioning into my career after college I knew it was always going to be important to me to be able to define purpose in my work. I define purpose as my ability to positively impact society, ability to help others and being genuinely interested in my work. Working in the water industry exemplifies all of those things. The water industry is packed with innovative and driven people who make me excited to continue my career in water.

Job: Water and Wastewater Engineer
Employer: Great West Engineering
Years in Water: 14

Why I Work in Water: Growing up in Montana I had boundless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, spending time flyfishing, rafting, waterskiing, and swimming. My father was a honeybee keeper throughout Montana, where honey production relied heavily on water resources each year, because of this I was able to witness the importance of water. Studying Civil Engineering in college led me to spend a summer at a local college in Benin, Africa teaching students about the importance of clean water and manufacturing potable water filters, alongside students for the local villages where clean potable water is a precious, finite resource.

These experiences solidified my decision to pursue a career that would connect my passion for the environment and water. I have now worked in the water and wastewater engineering field for nearly 15 years, and I get to assist communities all over Montana (and beyond) and ensure they have access to clean, safe drinking water. One of my favorite aspects of my journey has been getting to work and meet all of the passionate water professionals. Water is a precious resource; it truly connects us all.

Job: Drinking Water Technologist
Employer: Jacobs
Years in Water: 17

Why I Work in Water: It was an accident! When I was in graduate school, a teacher asked if I was interested in working on a project which turned out to be an indirect potable reuse pilot study. I had no idea how cool that was at the time. With that exposure to the interplay of chemistry, biology, and technology, and the amazing things we are doing in water I was hooked. The amazing people in the water industry constantly striving to make the most of this limited resource are the icing on the cake.

Job: Government Affairs Manager
Employer: Central Arkansas Water
Years in Water: 6

Why I Work in Water: You don’t hear kindergarteners saying they want to be a water worker when they grow up. But that’s because we don’t really describe what we do very well. Every single day, water workers protect public health; ensure the economy continues by keeping businesses, schools, and hospitals running; provide convenience to consumers by delivering water for coffee, showers, cooking, and play; save people money (tap is 300x cheaper than bottled water!!!); protect the environment; and increase quality of life in the communities they serve. How many of you have ever had your electricity go out? (Everyone, right?) How many reading this have ever been without running water? (Probably just a handful.)

Water workers ensure top-notch treatment, dependable delivery, and abundant access to the world’s most precious and valuable resource at a really low price. That’s something to brag about!

I work in water because I’m passionate about the value and service our industry provides. Water is crucial to economic development and quality of life. I want to help better tell our industry’s story so we gain consumer trust and turn customers into ambassadors who in turn tell our story for us.

Job: Water Resource Control Engineer
Employer: Water Resource Control Engineer
Years in Water: 11

Why I Work in Water: I have always felt connected to water and the environment. Growing up in rural New Hampshire, I had what seemed like limitless access to the outdoors. I spent countless hours swimming and playing in local lakes, ponds, and streams, and going to the ocean for seafood and recreation.

Although my family always had access to high quality drinking water during my youth, our proximity to the high-profile leukemia cluster in Woburn, Massachusetts and local fights over a proposed USA Springs groundwater pumping and bottling facility in Nottingham, NH both made it clear to me at a young age that protection of water quality and supply is not guaranteed.

I joined the water industry because I wanted to protect those resources, and I was drawn to engineering because I wanted to help develop new technologies to achieve that goal. Everything I have experienced as I have advanced through my career has continued to reinforce that water is fundamental to everything we do and is worth fighting to protect.

Job: Project Engineer
Employer: Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S)
Years in Water: 7

Why I Work in Water:As a child, I was always drawn to the outdoors. My love of the environment grew as I got older and started to look at college tracks. It was pretty evident to anyone that knows me that I fit the mold of having an “engineer” brain. It only made sense to put two and two together.

As I started my Civil Engineering education, I didn’t expect to end up in the water industry. However, during my time at the University of North Dakota, several professors motivated me to pursue the Water field.

With the goal to leave my stamp on my community and the world we all live in, I truly believe that the Water industry is a fantastic avenue to do so. As I  have progressed in my career, I have found it inspiring to work with people who are as passionate about this precious resources that we all take for granted as I am.

Job: Water/Wastewater Engineer
Employer: Carollo Engineers
Years in Water: 9

Why I Work in Water: Water is finite. And precious. I work in the water industry because I am passionate about the importance of access to clean water.

As a society, we tend to take water for granted: turn the tap on and voila! There is value in having conversations with people about why water is so important to our livelihood and success. I think the best way to influence people to conserve water is to become a knowledgeable voice. This is why I’m building a career in the water industry, and look forward to a future where water gets the respect it deserves.

Job: Senior Technical Manager & Principal
Employer: Woodard & Curran
Years in Water: 12

Why I Work in Water: After taking an environmental science course in high school, I looked at undergraduate programs specifically with the intention to pursue water/wastewater. From my first day working in the industry, I’ve never looked back.

Water is something that impacts everyone, and getting to work in the industry is really rewarding. You can feel the passion from everyone in the water industry and its infectious. It’s a great feeling to know how many people are benefitting from the work we do to provide clean, safe drinking water.

Job: Water and Wastewater Engineer
Employer: HDR
Years in Water: 3

Why I Work in Water: During my time as a college student, I was exposed to a variety of influential experiences and mentorships that opened my eyes to a career in the water industry. Ever since I visited my first water treatment plant during a summer internship, I was immediately drawn to the importance water has on daily life. One of my most impactful experiences was working as a student operator at a water treatment plant for two years.

In addition to being essential for society, the water industry also provides a sense of community for those who have a career in the industry. Within just my first few years in the industry, I have developed endless connections with a wide range of passionate individuals from around the world. I am greatly looking forward to what the future holds as a young professional in the water industry!

Job: Team Lead, Water and Wastewater Operations
Employer: The Regional Municipality of York
Years in Water: 6

Why I Work in Water: I work in water because of the opportunity it provides to engage with public health, environmental stewardship, and biochemistry – three avenues of careers I was interested in upon completing my post-secondary education. The dynamic nature of the field, emphasis for collaboration, and the mission to ensure safe drinking water globally further motivate me to continue working in water.

Job: Technical Sales – Municipal Aftermarket
Years in Water: 5

Why I Work in Water: When I first started in water, I would have answered this question very differently. I never saw myself working in this industry, but now I can’t see myself anywhere else. Maintaining a safe and reliable drinking water supply is one of the most critical challenges our world faces today, and it will only continue to grow as our demand increases and our treatment requirements get more stringent.

I excel in problem solving and enjoy variety in my day-to-day duties, and the field of drinking water treatment gives me a chance to experience new challenges every day. All water is different, even from one well to the next if only a few hundred feet apart, which requires different solutions for every water source. I not only enjoy solving the problems that water presents us from a treatment aspect, but also from an equipment and process design perspective.

I enjoy working with consulting engineers and city operators alike and love working in the service provider world that often exists between both. I truly believe I am in the right industry to help others live healthier lives because without clean water there is no life. But the biggest reason I love working in water, I have come to find out, is the community of water professionals, especially the ones involved in AWWA, that have helped make this industry feel so much more than I originally perceived, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Job: Environmental Engineer
Employer: CDM Smith
Years in Water: 5

Why I Work in Water: Growing up in Mexico, I experienced firsthand the persistent water quality challenges and the severe drought crisis that impacted my community. I remember me and my family had to adapt our routines to the intermittent water service schedule, and we would need to store water to use it while the water supply was off.

These early experiences taught me the value of clean and safe water and ignited a passion in me to become an engineer dedicated to addressing water issues and improving communities’ access to water. I also work in water because it’s a dynamic industry filled with amazing professionals that work together to solve today’s most challenging problems and that collaboratively plan for the future of water.

Job: Engineering Project Manager
Employer: New Jersey American Water
Years in Water: 8

Why I Work in Water: Water is essential to life, and contributing to the water industry brings me purpose. I’ve been water-obsessed since I was a child and that obsession has stayed with me through adulthood and my career. From swimming in the (not always clear) ocean at the Jersey Shore to tasting tap water in different cities around the country, water has kept me curious. My appreciation for the environment brought me to the water industry, and the vision and community of my water colleagues have validated my place here.

Job: Project Engineer
Employer: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority
Years in Water: 6

Why I Work in Water: I understand that water is key to our future. While it may take a while to become more mainstream, I’m starting the improvements early because every drop counts.