Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water (InFLOW) Program

The WEF InFLOW (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water) program aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in the water workforce.

This scholarship opportunity engages participants in WEF programs and events to:

1. Solidify their interest in working in the water sector; and
2. increase probabilities for employment and long-term success working in water.

WEF InFLOW consists of two tracks:

• STEMpath identifies scholars enrolled in undergraduate/graduate degree programs from historically underrepresented ethnic and racial groups.
• CareerTech partners with community-based organizations to expose scholars in job readiness programs to the variety of rewarding career possibilities in water quality.

The program kicked off at WEFTEC 2018, and provided travel assistance, hotel accommodations, registration, and additional networking opportunities to 16 students from Howard University (Washington, D.C.), Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama), and University of South Florida (Tampa, Florida). 

At WEFTEC 2019, InFLOW expanded to the current 2 tracks and included 40+ scholars from across the nation, including GreenCorp Chicago (Chicago, Illinois), Howard University (Washington, D.C), University of Alaska-Ancourage (Anchorage, Alaska), University of Hawaii-Manoa (Honolulu, Hawaii), University of South Florida (Tampa, Florida), Florida International University (Miami, Florida), and Florida A&M (Tallahassee, Florida).

2020 brought about the first fully virtual InFLOW program with 5 weeks of content for the scholars participating in both tracks. There were 24 STEMpath scholars representing Howard University (Washington, D.C.), University of Hawaii-Manoa (Honolulu, Hawaii), University of California-Irvne (Irvine, CA), San Diego State University (San Diego, California), Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey), and University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC).

At WEFTEC 2022, there will be 26 STEMpath scholars participating in this year's program, representing 13 universities across 10 U.S. states. In the past, STEMpath scholars have represented a variety of different racial/ethnic groups and many have been first-generation college students in their families. They have ranged from first-year college students to doctoral candidates in a variety of majors. The schools participating in the STEMpath program are Arizona State University (Tempe, Arizona), Benedict College (Columbia, SC), California State University–Pomona (Pomona, CA), Florida International University (Miami, Florida), Howard University (Washington, DC), Loyola University (Chicago, Illinois), Manhattan College (Bronx, NY), Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey), San Diego State University (San Diego, CA), University of Nebraska–Lincoln(Lincoln, NE), University of South Alabama (Mobile, Alabama), University of South Florida (Tampa, FL), and University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC). For the CareerTech track in 2022, 15 scholars will participate. Louisiana Green Corps selected these scholars to attend WEFTEC 2022. Louisiana Green Corps works to provide green job skills training and service-learning opportunities to 16- to 24-year-old youth and young adults living in the Greater New Orleans Area.

Past Participating Schools & Organizations

For more information about WEF InFLOW, download our brochure or email inflow@wef.org. 

InFLOW Brochure STEMPath CareerTech

STEMPath

The STEMpath Track includes scholars from universities and colleges who are currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM field. Through WEF InFLOW, these students are first introduced to the water sector at WEFTEC, where they participate in activities with other students and young professionals, as well as specially curated events to help scholars build their network within the water community. After WEFTEC, the scholars will be invited to additional opportunities within WEF including internships, scholarships, and involvement with other WEF Student & Young Professional programming.

Who is Involved?
WEF works with universities and colleges throughout the United States to obtain student scholars. Program participants include students ranging from sophomore year to Ph.D. candidates, with different STEM concentrations and a varying range of knowledge about the water industry.

The WEF InFLOW STEMpath Program solicits schools/universities to apply to be part of this unique experience. If accepted, university scholars will participate in a dual virtual program and attend WEFTEC. The program will also include pre-WEFTEC programming to include more of an introduction to the water sector and additional opportunities for scholars to network and even find mentors within our young professional and water community. 

After WEFTEC, the scholars will be invited to additional opportunities within WEF including internships, scholarships, and involvement with other WEF Student & Young Professional programming.

The program ensures that there will be no expenses incurred by the scholars, with expenses including airfare, hotel, registration, and meals covered by WEF.

University Responsibilities
By participating in the WEF InFLOW STEMpath program, universities agree to:

• Select up to 5 full-time undergraduate/graduate students that qualify for the WEF InFLOW STEMpath program and identify as being from historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups.
• Select at least one scholar for the program that is not an engineering student (other STEM fields encouraged).
• Encourage a gender balance of participating students.
• The university would be responsible for coordinating student flights and stipends, which will be reimbursed by WEF, within a month of the invoice submission.
  • WEF will directly cover the cost for the following:
    • Hotel Accommodations
    • WEFTEC Registration
• Highly encourage the university to send a representative, faculty member, or professor to WEFTEC (registration cost can be provided by WEF).
• Coordinate and notify university faculty that students will be missing classes.
• Be available for follow-up communication with WEF about their experience.

Student Responsibilities
Accepted universities will recommend students who qualify under the below criteria and responsibilities to partake in the InFLOW STEMpath Program:

• Full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a participating School/University
  • Preferably entering sophomore or junior year in Fall 2023
  • Preferably majoring in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field
• 18 years of age or older
• Represent a historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic group.
• Required to participate in online activities from September-October 2022.
• Required to attend WEFTEC 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana from October 8-12, 2022, and fully participate in all scheduled activities.
• Willing to fully participate with WEF Staff, Sponsors, & Members before and after WEFTEC 2022.
• Responsibly represent their School/University during WEF InFLOW events and while in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Follow Louisiana State and Federal Laws, including not consuming alcohol if under 21.
• Experience in water is not required, but an interest in the water industry is encouraged.

STEMPath Applications – Closed for 2023

At this time, we do NOT accept individual applications from students. Applications will be reviewed based on university faculty answers to the following questions:

1. Describe your university's involvement with WEF on a national or local member association level.
2. Describe any programs that your university has related to the water sector.
3. Describe any programs/initiatives that your university has for historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups.
4. Explain why your university is interested in participating in the WEF InFLOW Program.
5. Explain how you would select scholars to participate in the WEF InFLOW Program.

For more information about the STEMpath Program

• 2023 STEMpath School Interest Flyer
• InFLOW 2023 Preliminary Schedule

Questions? Contact Inflow@wef.org.

CareerTech

The CareerTech path focuses on the local WEFTEC host communities (Chicago and New Orleans) to introduce opportunity youth to the wide array of career opportunities in water.

While attending WEFTEC, scholars are guided through the water resource recovery process via facility tours, meetings with exhibitors and local utilities, a behind-the-scenes tour of Operations Challenge, participation in the WEF Community Service Project, as well as networking with peers and industry leaders. Following WEFTEC, scholars become members of WEF and their local water quality association, where they are given ongoing opportunities for networking and education.

Who Is Involved?
WEF partners with The Corps Network chapters to recruit individuals for the CareerTech program. The Corps Network are locally-based organizations that transform young people through career development, conservation, and civic engagement. Through this involvement with The Corps Network, scholars are ideal candidates for water sector careers.

At WEFTEC 2022, there were 26 STEMpath scholars participating in this year's program, representing 13 universities across 10 U.S. states. In the past, STEMpath scholars have represented a variety of different racial/ethnic groups and many have been first-generation college students in their families. They have ranged from college first-year students to doctoral candidates in a variety of majors. The schools participating in the STEMpath program were Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.), Benedict College (Columbia, S.C.), California State University–Pomona (California), Florida International University (Miami, Fla.), Howard University (Washington), Loyola University (Chicago), Manhattan College (Bronx, N.Y.), Rutgers University (New Brunswick, N.J.), San Diego State University (California), University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of South Alabama (Mobile, Ala.), University of South Florida (Tampa, Fla.), and the University of the District of Columbia (Washington).

For the CareerTech track in 2023, 15 scholars participated. Louisiana Green Corps selected these scholars to attend WEFTEC 2022. Louisiana Green Corps works to provide green job skills training and service-learning opportunities to 16- to 24-year-old youth and young adults living in the Greater New Orleans Area.