18469_Authority_June

36 The Authority | June 2025 system sampling, laboratory analytics, engineering design, field operations, meter reading and repair, construction, AutoCAD drawing, fire hydrant flushing, GPS locating, utility markouts, leak detection, valve exercising, water main break repairs, sewer line televising and cleaning, pump station equipment troubleshooting, work order management, customer service and bill collection, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and more. This first-hand exposure to such a wide variety of work assignments is an eye-opening opportunity for young people to discover the many diverse disciplines involved in the water and wastewater business. Whether the interns are interested in a technical trade or a four-year college degree in the sciences or business, they can find a fit in the industry. Advertising efforts to fill these internship positions included the use of the social media platforms Facebook and LinkedIn. Information about intern openings were also posted on the websites of the participating authorities and PMAA, along with outreach to the state Department of Labor and PA CareerLink. Recruitment efforts also included participation in numerous on-site job fairs at local high schools, technical schools, community colleges, and universities. Collectively, these efforts proved fruitful in garnering a high degree of interest from prospective candidates. A few members of the planning team reviewed the many applications submitted each spring and conducted interviews, eventually resulting in the selection of the most promising candidates for summer employment. In the past three summers that the program has been running in Region One, the planning team received between 25 and 50 applications each year, resulting in the selection of between nine and 12 interns each summer. And between one and three each year were hired into full-time positions with one of the participating authorities. One challenging aspect of this program is that it can create an additional burden on the authority’s current employees to spend time with the interns. It can cause some imposition on the staff accomplishing their own daily work assignments, while also showing the interns how they do their jobs. But the interns do appreciate the efforts made by staff to offer some of their valuable time to a worthwhile program that benefits the young people, and benefits the industry as well. All the members of the planning team appreciate the cooperation and assistance from all the authorities’ staff in making this a positive learning experience for the participants. The ultimate purpose of the program is to promote the water and wastewater industry to young people for succession planning, and to ensure the future continuity of the industry’s workforce. By creating Intern article continued from page 5. “This internship made me realize how little I knew about the industry. The program taught me so much that I can use going forward in my education and career. I’m thankful that a program like this exists because I now have some experience in the field and know what I would like and not like to do. It was beneficial being able to ask questions and see the processes at each different plant.” Ava, 2024 Internship Participant “Visiting both the water and wastewater sides of this industry was very beneficial. I was able to grasp a firm understanding of both sides of the business. This program has definitely put this industry on the map for me. Prior to participating in this internship, I did not have much prior knowledge regarding water and wastewater, compared to what I have now. There is so much more that goes into creating safe drinking water and waste removal than I ever could have thought.” Luke, 2024 Internship Participant “I had an amazing opportunity to be a part of the WWIP during the summer of 2023. It allowed me to work with multiple people from each authority and learn about what their typical day looks like. I also learned a great deal about how the water and wastewater process works. It allowed me to do hands on work that helped me gain a lot of knowledge. This opportunity opened my eyes to careers I had never thought about before.” Lily, 2023 Internship Participant