Well, some are walking, some are riding, and some are flying, some just gliding. Released after years of being kept in hiding, they’re climbing up the ladder, rung by rung.

From “Enter the Young,” by The Association (Lyrics by Terry Kirkman)

There’s a not-too-old saying: “Computers are fast, accurate and stupid. Humans are slow, inaccurate and brilliant. The marriage of the two is a force beyond comprehension.”

We could say something similar about the marriage between longtime water professionals and the newer generation now coming on board. Marry the older cohort’s broad, experience-based knowledge and wisdom, add younger people’s energy, fresh ideas and easy embrace of technology and one can see a brilliant future for the drinking water and clean-water sectors.

Important players

Granted, attracting young people to the field has been and remains a challenge. But once on board, these operators tend to find the same satisfaction as their more established colleagues, and many play key roles in driving their organizations to new levels of efficiency and treatment excellence.

Industry organizations, whether state, regional or national, clearly see benefits in elevating this emerging generation. Many host Student and Young Professionals chapters that aim to recognize and energize newer entrants to the field and help them accelerate progress in their careers.

These chapters offer numerous opportunities: networking events, internships, mentoring, awards programs, design competitions, scholarships, community service projects and more. It’s all designed to welcome new entrants to the field, surround them with a community of peers, and give them a boost on their career journeys.

In the spotlight

No one questions the need to develop new talent. Water and wastewater operations still face a wave of departures as key people who came on board after the Clean Water Act transition into retirement. Those professionals are eager to share their experience and institutional knowledge with their soon-to-be successors.

In line with that, Treatment Plant Operator will devote space in this and future issues to highlight young people on the. Our aim is threefold: to bring attention to newer operators’ accomplishments, to help motivate them to reach higher and farther and to show the benefits of water careers to prospective newcomers to the field.

Our first featured operator is Trevor DePew, a supervisor at the water treatment plant in Louisville, Colorado. Like many entrants to the field, he discovered it largely by accident. He began his post-high-school education with an eye toward nursing, but once he discovered the water sector, he was hooked.

Now, here’s where you can help with this new feature. We invite you to nominate a young person in your organization who demonstrates energy, ambition and difference-making contributions. Send me a note describing how this person excels. We’ll then highlight as many of these high performers as possible in our print and online editions.

Reach out to me at editor@tpomag.com. I look forward to your recommendations.