Partnering with GreenCorps Chicago (a Corps Network member), CareerTech program participants spent four days learning about water industry careers at the Water Environment's Technical Exhibition and Conference. The seventeen member cohort started their experience working side by side with WEF's Students and Young Professionals on a Green Infrastructure service project at the Maria Saucedo Academy and Community Center.  They were an integral part of WEF's InFLOW (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water)/CareerTech scholarship program.

 

The next day, they toured the Stickney water treatment facility (the world's larges) and met with the operators of Chicago's main stormwater pumping station, which reverses the flow of the Chicago River to keep Lake Michigan clean! The last two days of the program, CareerTech participants met with exhibitors and local utilities, got  a behind the scenes tour of Operations Challenge, networked with peers and industry leaders - and participated in a careers pathways workshop with leading public and private sector employers.. Following WEFTEC, scholars become members of WEF and of the Illinois water quality association where they have ongoing opportunities for networking and education