Meet the team: CIWEM Early Careers Network Steering Group

This spring, CIWEM named the team leading its early-careers network to promote and support our newer members. CIWEM’s Chloe Goode introduces the new professionals taking the lead

CIWEM’s early-careers network is a platform for members new to the water and environment industry. It connects a diverse pool of professionals, who are typically five years into their careers.

It supports collaboration, networking, career development and building the global CIWEM community. We have now transitioned the network online and welcome members from across the globe to come together, learn, socialise and develop crucial skills to build successful careers across our sector.

The network has now launched a steering group of 14 enthusiastic early-careers CIWEM members, ambassadors for CIWEM to champion our work and membership and lead the network’s strategic direction.

The steering group aims to identify and combat challenges that face early-career professionals; empowerment in the workplace, visibility, wellbeing and access to opportunities. We are planning a programme to address these themes, including opportunities for networking, mentoring, developing soft skills and support through applying for chartership.

It will be an exciting journey. Whether you're a student or have worked for up to five years, all members starting out in the industry are welcome. Get involved and find out more in the CIWEM Early Careers Network on LinkedIn.

MEET THE STEERING GROUP

CIWEM membership-engagement executive Chloe Goode, UK

As a diversity and inclusion champion at CIWEM, I bring people together from across the globe, so their voices can be heard in a safe and encouraging space, including early-careers professionals.

About me: I have climbed the three peaks of England, Scotland and Wales and spent the first weeks of 2020 hiking in Patagonia.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Many actions and solutions to the climate emergency lie with the next generation of industry leaders. Empowering professionals in the early stages of their careers is so important to equip them with the tools and confidence to tackle some of our biggest water and environmental problems.

Cranfield University lecturer in water-systems modelling Andrea Momblanch, Cranfield, UK

About me: Struggling with an identity problem, between feeling vegan or climatarian.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

We may lack experience, but young professionals have enthusiasm and fresh ideas about how to achieve more sustainable water and environmental management to benefit society. CIWEM offers opportunities for interaction and discussion by challenging our assumptions and expanding our knowledge.

Coastal Partners coastal engineer Adam Sennitt, south coast of England, UK

About me: I volunteer as a regional representative of Surfers Against Sewage.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Young people are the voices of tomorrow. Decisions we make today directly affect those who inherit the future. We need to inspire, encourage and empower young people and create opportunities for learning and career development.

Ricardo Energy and Environment water intern Brandon Mayuga, London, UK

About me: I have two cats, Boots and Tigra.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Aspiring environmental workers need to understand how they can start their careers. The sector has a huge variety of roles and sharing young professionals’ experiences could reveal career opportunities that some people may not yet have considered.

Scottish Water wastewater asset planner, Flora Duff, Edinburgh, UK

About me: I’m a US-UK dual citizen and moved to Edinburgh five years ago from Chicago.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

If you’ve ever thought you aren’t enough or don’t deserve to be heard, you’re not alone. The greatest barriers in my career have been my own self-limiting beliefs. We must create space for these voices in CIWEM, to draw in unique perspectives and remind people that they deserve to be heard. Only when we amplify the smallest voice can we collaborate effectively towards a more sustainable world.

Beca Ltd civil engineer Hans Ching, Auckland, New Zealand

About me: I worked in corporate sales and marketing for a few years before making a 180˚ career change back to engineering.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Professional organisations tend to focus on senior, more experienced professionals, when young professionals should be given focus and groomed to become tomorrow’s leaders. Young people have high hopes and dreams, and organisations like CIWEM can help to channel this energy by providing a platform for us to seek opportunities, be heard, and be seen.

Stantec civil engineer Jack Thornber, Warrington, UK

About me: I’m a film fanatic and craft-ale lover. My favourite film is The Exorcist.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

We are the leaders of today and tomorrow. Young professionals today are more empowered and well-informed, due to the climate emergency and the role of social media. The more CIWEM can inspire young people, the better we build an innovative, knowledgeable and vibrant network of community-based young leaders.

Defra senior policy adviser flood and coastal erosion risk management Katie Bishop, southwest England, UK

About me: Since the pandemic I’ve volunteered with a loneliness charity, helping isolated adults through a difficult time, especially around Christmas.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

I once heard someone say young people have an “acute sense of justice regarding societal issues”. Young people look at the world with a fresh, untainted perspective and want to act quickly to fix the problems they see, that impact on their own future. Young people will fight for water quality and supply, and against flooding, things underpinned by climate change.

FloWater Solutions mechanical engineering intern Kazi Anisur Rahman, Dhaka, Bangladesh

About me: I like surprise travel with friends, getting a backpack ready in minutes to go out exploring.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

As global temperatures rise, we feel the effects of climate change. Water is an important natural resource but heavy floods due to climate changes damage our water quality. CIWEM declared a climate and ecological emergency to protect the environment including water. It needs the voice of youth to create impact through awareness programmes, community engagement and role-play for youth environment advocacy. Young voices create an impact in communities and on government to drive action-oriented policies.

Environment Agency evidence and risk inland team leader, northeast and Yorkshire and technical advisor for Boosting Action for Surface Water Marcus Woodward, Tamworth, UK

About me: My dog, pictured, is an Instagram Power Hound.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Our ever-changing world needs young people with fresh ideas, passion and pride to inform decisions, policies and guidance that will directly affect the future we inherit. By listening to and promoting young voices CIWEM will ensure commitment to its goals, helping members to reach their potential and improve the environment we live in for all to share.

Mott MacDonald graduate flood-risk consultant Megan Faye Barnes, Leeds, UK

About me: I volunteer for WaterAid and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

Our voices are essential to CIWEM meeting the needs of current and future members. We want to understand the challenges facing early-careers professionals to provide helpful and relevant resources and support to develop their careers.

United Utilities analytics developer Pauline Morris, Warrington, UK

About me: Ex-apprentice and avid board gamer.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

CIWEM needs to reflect the diversity of its network and to offer new insights. This is an opportunity for CIWEM to hear different perspectives on issues facing members and to tailor services if appropriate. Reaching out to early-careers professionals should retain membership and help more to reach chartered status.

Atkins graduate environmental scientist Rachael Todd, Oxford, UK

About me: I once played football at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, and scored two goals.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

We will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to CIWEM and can develop innovative ways to engage and involve more young people in water and environmental management and with CIWEM activities. We need an opportunity to shape CIWEM; we represent the next generation of members.

Flood-risk consultant Reagan Duff, Manchester, UK

About me: I’m training to run a marathon – or trying to!

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

The growing pressures of global warming, water scarcity and extreme weather will only increase the importance of water and environmental management. It’s vital that we influence decisionmaking within CIWEM – our voices represent those who will go on to lead and develop the organisation.

Environment Agency flood and coastal risk-management officer Sophia-Harri Nicholaou, London, UK

About me: I can list the 50 states of America in less than two minutes.

Why does CIWEM need fresh voices?

A platform that creates a community of early-careers professionals brings in fresh perspectives, different life experiences and diverse ways of thinking. Young minds have a greater passion for social responsibility and strive to become more inclusive. Younger voices can challenge embedded ways of working and identify different ways to communicate within the water and environment community.

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