Working in Wastewater: Learn how three professionals discovered their career paths.

Why Work in Wastewater?

Learn how three Infiltrator and Orenco professionals discovered their career paths.

How did you find the wastewater industry? It’s a question many wastewater professionals are asked: Of all things, why wastewater? Was it your planned choice? Did you get a nudge from a professor or fellow student? Or did you wind up in wastewater totally by chance?

The industry has many lucrative job opportunities—whether as an operator, lab or maintenance technician, environmental or civil engineer, regulatory compliance specialist, or training coordinator—and it’s one that’s welcoming the next generation.

We asked a handful of wastewater professionals from Infiltrator Water Technologies and Orenco Systems to talk about how they discovered their career paths and what surprised them along the way.

Jessica Stiner, senior systems engineering manager

“I started college in acoustical engineering and music. I got involved with Engineers Without Borders, and it helped me realize how much water and wastewater impact every single person and every single community throughout the US and the world. I switched my major to civil-environmental engineering and haven’t looked back since. I love the passion everyone has for people, for community, for the environment, and for clean water. It helps me be happy to wake up every day and go to work.”

Jessy Tucker, wastewater engineering manager

“Orenco Systems found me! I was at Umpqua Community College and my engineering teacher at the time said, ‘Hey, my first-year engineering class is having a speaker come in. It’s a local company. I think you should come watch their presentation.’ And that’s how I learned about Orenco. I had no idea the company was in my backyard. Wastewater is not really something you ever think about or consider until you get into the industry. Being able to play a part in helping protect the environment and the world’s water is pretty gratifying. I interned on a chance, but I’m still here nine years later and I love it. I love coming to work.”

Ashley Donnelly, technical training and sales development manager

“I started as a temporary receptionist, but I knew right away—the first week—I wanted to work at Infiltrator. I want to be a part of the work that the company is doing. What surprised me most is the impact the industry has on everyday life. Most people don’t think about wastewater until something goes wrong. But the work we do is essential to protect public and environmental health and safeguard our water resources. More than 23 years later, I’m still excited by the people, the challenges, and the opportunity to make a difference every day.”

What’s Your Story?

A common theme runs through each of these stories—and that’s the desire to help protect the world’s water resources. If you have that career goal, too, take a closer look at opportunities in the wastewater industry.

Several industry organizations, including the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), host outreach events for students of all ages.

“As part of WEFTEC, we have Water Palooza, which is an outreach event for kids to teach them about wastewater and water and water cycles and just get them thinking about these topics,” Jessica says.

Water Palooza is a day-long educational fair held during WEF’s annual trade show and conference that brings together water-conscious organizations to teach kids about the value of water through hands-on activities.

NOWRA provides opportunities for those in the industry to help the next generation through its Emerging Industry Professionals programs.

For students pursuing a career in the onsite wastewater management industry, NOWRA offers scholarships and cohosts the Onsite Wastewater Mega Conference, along with the National Association of Wastewater Technicians, and the State Onsite Regulators Association, aiming to provide the highest-quality education and training available.

Opportunities in the water and wastewater industries abound. Find job openings at Infiltrator and Orenco today! Visit https://www.adspipe.com/infiltrator/careers and https://www.orenco.com/about-us/careers to #workinwater and help protect the world’s most valuable resource.