As a young water professional (YWP), curiosity has been my compass. It has driven me to ask questions, explore new paths, and ultimately transition from research into consulting. Throughout this journey, I have learned that building my career is less about having all the answers and more about staying excited to keep learning and exploring.Continue reading “My Water Journey: From Academia to Consulting”
Tag Archives: waterprofessionals
My Journey to Becoming a Wastewater Engineer
When I was seven, my hometown, Wuxi, faced a crisis of blue-green algal blooms. This environmental issue sparked my curiosity about the mechanisms behind such crises. However, it wasn’t until I entered Duke Kunshan University (DKU) as an undergraduate, that I discovered environmental science as a field of study. As a liberal arts college, DKUContinue reading “My Journey to Becoming a Wastewater Engineer”
Biodegradation of plastic materials in various aquatic systems
Thanks to my father’s profession, I had the opportunity to live in various cultures around the world, which gave me firsthand exposure to the Earth’s diverse ecosystems and fostered a deep appreciation for nature. In college, I spent much of my free time birdwatching and collecting insects, and it was during these moments that IContinue reading “Biodegradation of plastic materials in various aquatic systems”
The Importance of Continual Development
I work at EPCOR Water Services at the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant in Edmonton, Alberta. I recently attended the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), hosted in New Orleans. It was an amazing experience, and I encourage young water professionals (YWPs) to take advantage of such opportunities when they present themselves. ProfessionalContinue reading “The Importance of Continual Development”
Navigating the Water Industry: Embracing Change and Discovering Your Passion
As a young professional in the water industry, I often reflect on my journey of professional development. Over the past seven years, I’ve transitioned between five major roles: wastewater consulting, transportation infrastructure consulting, stormwater management consulting, flood risk management with a conservation authority, municipal planning for linear infrastructure, and finally, back to wastewater consulting. IContinue reading “Navigating the Water Industry: Embracing Change and Discovering Your Passion”
The Journey of Choosing Environmental Engineering as My Major
I was born in Guangzhou, one of the major cities of China. When I was a little kid, my parents were so busy with their work that oftentimes they dropped me off at my grandparents’ village in Guangxi, a beautiful hilly province in the south. There, I made a lot of friends; together we climbedContinue reading “The Journey of Choosing Environmental Engineering as My Major”
My study journey starts with a challenge
2022 was an unusual year for me as I started a new journey in a different country. I packed my bags and got ready to go. After a 14-hour flight and traveling halfway around the world, I finally set foot on this foreign land. Everything here was strange and new to me. With the joyContinue reading “My study journey starts with a challenge”
What does it mean to be a water research focused academic?
My pathway to becoming an Assistant Prof in a research-intensive university in Canada was not straightforward. I was trained in Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo (UW), and my only work exposure before my graduate studies was being a co-op student in environmental consulting. I did not even know what research was all aboutContinue reading “What does it mean to be a water research focused academic?”
Methods of Job Hunting that You May Not Have Thought About – Water Industry
Finding a new job, whether you have recently graduated, are looking to leave your current position, or are returning from a break, can be difficult and frustrating. I’ve heard someone describe the process as “submitting resumes into the void,” which begins to feel accurate after your tenth application has no response. Job descriptions can beContinue reading “Methods of Job Hunting that You May Not Have Thought About – Water Industry”
LINKEDIN as a YP
Social media has only grown over the past ten years, and its role in the professional world is still being explored. While the use of platforms like Twitter, Mastodon, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for professional purposes can inspire long debates over their applications, ethics, and the line between personal and professional, LinkedIn remains pretty uncontentiousContinue reading “LINKEDIN as a YP”
IWA YWP Canada 