1. What training, or education, or both helped prepare you for this career?
 I have been a wastewater treatment plant operator for five years. I went to school at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and received a two year certificate in Wastewater Treatment Technology. They have now added a couple more classes and students can get an associates degree in wastewater treatment. Part of the training was two 12 week internships at wastewater treatment plants. The hands on experience after learning the material in the class room is very beneficial. However, the training is an ongoing process. The department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Water Environment Federation offer courses and seminars throughout the year so that operators can stay up on the latest technologies. The State of Michigan, as in most other states, requires operators to be certified. There are 4 levels starting with class D and going up to class A. To achieve these certifications you must have a certain amount of education and experience and then pass a written examination.
2. Please describe your current job.
I work for a company called Operations Management International as a wastewater treatment plant operator. We are a contract operations firm. We operate the Traverse City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. I operate pumps and associated equipment used to move and treat wastewater and biosolids. I perform preventive and corrective maintenance on the plant equipment. I perform laboratory analysis on process control parameters to ensure that the physical, chemical, and biological components of the wastewater treatment system are performing correctly. I monitor and track the data that is collected to observe trends. I monitor and adjust pumping times and air output from the blowers for the activated sludge system from a computer monitor.
3. What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is that I can make a difference in protecting the environment. That is the main reason that I went into this field. I can ensure that the wastewater is being treated correctly and will not cause any adverse effects on the receiving waters.
4. What do you like least about your job?
What I like least about my job is having to overcome the negative connotations everyone has about wastewater treatment. People complain about odors or how biosolids are disposed of, yet it is something people have to expect from wastewater treatment. Most people just flush their toilets, run their washing machines and dishwashers and give no thought to where that used water goes.
5. Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing, and why?
Career opportunities in this field are increasing and they will continue to increase. As the population continues to grow there will be the need for more wastewater treatment plants and operators to treat all the wastewater.
6. What advice would you give to a student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field.?
Anyone interested in pursuing a career in this field should take classes in the sciences, that is in biology or chemistry. There are also a couple of schools that offer two year degrees in wastewater treatment. They are Bay De Noc Community College in Escanaba and Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Students should also take computer classes. Computers are becoming increasingly more important in the wastewater industry. We use spreadsheets and databases to handle and manipulate the data. More and more of the control systems are also becoming computerized. Computers are being used to control pumps, valves, aeration blowers and many other pieces of equipment.
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