Our mission, their own words.
Three young people began building their careers in public service. Here’s why they say it’s where they want to stay.
CeCe loves a challenge.
CeCe Edwards joined the Sewer District’s Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant as a Process Specialist in 2023 after graduating from Hiram College with degrees in biology and business. Process Specialists operate and monitor equipment, collect samples, document data, and more.
I love science, every area — neuroscience, biochemistry, biology. I’m obsessed with it, ever since I was a little kid. When I became a Process Specialist, I basically shadowed a bunch of people and did a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and I loved it but I am a very hands-on person and like to be out and about.
In August 2024, I became a Wastewater Process Operator-In Training, which is enabling me to learn more about the treatment process. We use physical science, biology, and chemistry, all of which I’m a huge nerd for; I just love them. It’s great to be able to apply what I learned in college on things are unfamiliar; I know the science, but I don’t yet know the treatment process. This is helping me learn.
And I wanted to be challenged. When I’m in a position where I’m comfortable, I’m not growing and it gets boring. That’s why this position is great for me.
And once I become a full-craft Operator, I plan to stay in that position long enough to make sure I really understand it and then move up. I feel like I have the personality that would be really good for management and for teaching.
Eddie builds community.
Eddie Burgos graduated from Oberlin College in 2023 with degrees in environmental and political science. Since 2024, when he joined the Clean Water Fellowship rotational program, he’s prioritized learning the work of the Sewer District — Clean Water Fellows work in multiple departments — and making lots of connections, especially by becoming involved in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
A lot of my friends left town after graduation, and I’ve really wanted to find new groups of like-minded people to share my interests with.
I found out about the Sustainability ERG and wanted to make myself a sponge for anything I could learn within that group — and I knew I wanted to be involved with other ERGs as well.
I am Puerto Rican, so I wanted to get involved with the Latin/Hispanic ERG because I don’t have a lot of connection to my Hispanic heritage.
And being a gay man, I wanted to get involved in the LGBTQ+ ERG to learn more about queer history and allyship in Cleveland — and to meet people who could become mentors. There is nuance to being queer in a professional environment, and I wanted to know how others have been doing it, what their experiences have been, and what wisdom they can share.
There is support from leadership in this organization to build community, and that’s why I think this is a place where I can build my career. I’m doing something I am profoundly proud of because I’m serving the greater good. And I think the sense of community that helps us do our jobs well wouldn’t be as strong without the ERGs.
John finds fulfillment.
John Davis graduated from high school in 2020 and came to the Sewer District in 2024 through our job training and professional development program, the Good Neighbor Ambassador (GNA) program. He graduated from the program early to take his current position as a Custodian at our Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Before GNA, I was just trying out a bunch of fields to see if I could find my identity. I heard about the GNA program off of a flyer I saw at Dave’s Supermarket, and I went to the hiring event. I was tired of having jobs; I was looking for a career and to go somewhere I could grow with a company.
These last few months have been my happiest. I’m in a career mindset now and more intentional, and I plan things out. I realize that my day is what I make of it. I can wake up and feel negative, or I can wake up and feel positive. But I’m not here to play. I’m more serious, more demanding of people around me and my loved ones.
My circle has gotten smaller because if people can’t be where I need them to be, I need to go on without them. With my family, I’m trying to show they can move forward, too, if they’re willing to change.
I want everybody to live life to the fullest and be happy. I think that’s what sets me apart — that I want to grow and to make the world, and everything around me, better.
Learn more about our career opportunities at workforcleanwater.com.
