Students and Young Professionals

The Students and Young Professionals are the future of our industry. WEF’s programs, resources and networking opportunities give students and young professionals the keys to launch a successful career in the water and wastewater field by promoting involvement within WEF and the Member Associations and providing professional development and leadership opportunities.

The WEF Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC), is made up of students, young professionals, academics and water quality professionals. The SYPC develops several regular programs that occur at WEFTEC and throughout the year that drive innovation, enrich the expertise of water professionals, and increase the awareness of the value of water.

Statement of Policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Water Environment Federation is committed to enhancing diversity and awareness of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability and sexual orientation among its staff, consultants, contractors and members. As a matter of principle and practice, the Water Environment Federation values and seeks a diverse and inclusive membership. It is the Federation’s goal to encourage full participation in the activities of the Federation, its Member Associations and affiliated entities by all individuals.

Meet the SYPC Leadership!

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Join us in celebrating the WEF Students and Young Professionals Community Service Project!

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Service Project

The WEF Community Service Project aims to make a difference in the WEFTEC host city by leaving a positive impact on the local water environment and educating the community about the value of water. Since 2008, the WEF Community Service Project has made a significant impact on several WEFTEC host cities, creating more than 6 rain gardens, 8 bioswales, 2 outdoor classrooms, and 1 stormwater managing walkway, all of which include hundreds of native plantings.

Learn more about the WEF Community Service Project

Water Palooza

The goal of Water Palooza is to engage elementary school students in hands-on and demonstrative activities that promote the value of water and encourage students to become stewards of their own water environment.

The Water Palooza subcommittee has created an online educational video/content repository for educational leadership, teachers in school and online, and parents who have suddenly become full-time educators to access during the fall/winter of the 2020 school season. Take a look here!

Learn more about Water Palooza

Design Competition

The WEF Student Design Competition promotes real-world design experience for students interested in pursuing education and careers in water and wastewater engineering and science. WEF hosts two different competitions at WEFTEC: the Wastewater Design and Environmental Design.

The competition tasks students to prepare and present a design that helps solve a water quality issue. Teams evaluate alternative ideas, perform calculations, and recommend solutions in the form of an engineering report and presentation.

2019 Winners, Wastewater category above, Water Environment below

Learn more about the WEF Student Design Competition

Midyear

The WEF Young Professionals Midyear Springboard Program was developed to further increase opportunities for Student and Young Professional members to become involved in WEF, with particular emphasis on integration of Young Professionals into the WEF technical committees. At the Midyear Meeting, YPs will have the opportunity to join committee working sessions, develop and review programs, and help develop programming for WEFTEC.

Learn More

Emerging Young Professionals Leadership Workshop

The Emerging Young Professionals Leadership Workshop (EYPL) traditionally held the day before the YP Summit, attracts young professionals in an engaging, relevant industry topic, with a focus on non-traditional topics that promote professional development.

This year's EYPL will be held virtually in a 2 part series. Click below to learn more!

Join the EYPL!

Mentorship Program

The WEF Students and Young Professionals Committee is proud to announce the launch of a WEF Mentorship Program. The purpose of this pilot program is to provide rising WEF members with an avenue to connect with leaders outside of their own organization to discuss growth in both career and personal development.

Get Involved!

YP Summit

The WEF/AWWA YP Summit is a joint leadership conference held in conjunction with the WEF/AWWA Utility Management Conference. Young Professionals in the water and wastewater industry from across North America and Canada attend this annual event. YP Summit is the place to explore your role in the water and wastewater industry and discuss how to best serve your organization and community.

Learn more about the YP Summit

YP Connections

Welcome to the new home of YP Connections!

The mission of YP Connections is to connect Students and Young Professionals through sharing information and experiences related to involvement in WEF and Member Associations, professional development and leadership opportunities.

See What the YP's are Up To!

Student Chapters

WEF’s Student Chapters promote student interest in the water and wastewater industry, and provide an avenue for the for the exchange of information and ideas between students and members.

Explore Student chapter resources Or start your own chapter

Student & YP Awards

WEF Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship

This scholarship provides $25,000 for a post-baccalaureate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education related expenses such as room and board, tuition and books.

application requirements

Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award

This award is presented to a young professional for significant contributions to the Water Environment Federation and to the wastewater collection and treatment industry.

Learn more

US National Stockholm Junior Water Prize

This award is presented to a high school level water-related research project at the US National Competition. The winner recieves a $10,000 prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden to represent the US at the International Competition, held during World Water Week.

Apply today