Young Professionals Committee

The Young Professionals (YP) Committee is actively pursuing the advancement of students and younger professionals and serves as a “Welcome Mat” for OAWWA and the water industry. Consisting of new and young professionals in the water industry, YPs are below the age of 35 or have 10 years or less of experience in the water industry but events are open to all water professionals. Many of our events are approved for Ohio EPA water operator contact hours and are open to professionals of all career stages.

Join Young Professionals Today!

Contact Info

Who should join us?

  • Do you want to meet other professionals across the water and wastewater industry? Do you enjoy behind-the-scenes facility tours featuring cutting-edge equipment and processes? Do you need continuing education or operator training hours, and are looking for opportunities that are both educational and entertaining? Do you want to get involved in the industry, “pay it forward,” and stay up to date with ideas and issues from all over the state?
  • If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then the YP Committee is right for you! The YP Committee offers the opportunities discussed above – and many more. Getting involved is a great way to meet young professionals in the field, explore career opportunities, find mentors, and get the skills and knowledge you need for advancement. Many professionals credit the YP Committee as the best way to advance professional relationships and stay informed as a younger employee. Come join us at our next event!

 

 

 

What does the YP Committee Do?

  • Holds a student research presentation competition each year called “Fresh Ideas” at the Annual State Conference.
  • Provides opportunities for operator contact hours - e.g., water and wastewater plant tours, Brewery Tours, Zoos.
  • Student outreach - high schools, universities, State Science Fair, presentations for university clubs.
  • Happy hours and meet and greets.
  • Volunteering - 5Ks, river clean-ups, and much more!

How often do we meet?

  • Statewide YP call the second Tuesday of every month. All YPs are welcome to join in. Contact your district representatives to get information on joining the monthly call.
  • Events happen throughout the year - check our calendar, join our mailing list, or email your representatives to find out about upcoming events!

How to get involved?

Contact the current Chair or one of your district representatives to find out how you can involved with the YP group!

YP Resources

Information about careers in water from AWWA

 YP Summit

  

  YP Summit 2024

“I had an excellent experience at the YP Summit in Portland! Events included technical and leadership lectures, interactive workshops on challenges facing the industry, and even a hands-on team competition, similar to the Top OPS challenge that is performed at OneWater conferences. I was able to network far and wide and learn a lot about the upcoming problems in need of solving in the water industry. I also really enjoyed hearing how other AWWA Sections do things, including increasing operator participation and YP involvement.”

– Matous Becker, Arcadis

 

“The YP Summit was an amazing opportunity to connect with other Sections and share ideas for future events and activities to improve the YP experience. We also met with industry leaders to learn more about and brainstorm solutions for current issues facing the world of water, including workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.”

– Megan Patterson, Brown and Caldwell

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