Catherine King

I would say it's finding something you're passionate about and pursuing that, whether that passion is for money, living a good lifestyle, making my parents proud, or just being proud of yourself. But I think one of the biggest things that sets me apart is communication. I really believe that in current times all people, but noticeably my age and younger, are lacking in comprehension and the ability to fully understand and listen. Part of leadership is communication, and being able to talk and listen, to know your audience as you communicate and regurgitate things back, is vital. It's about comprehension, because people just listen and they don't understand anymore. Coming from an immigrant family, you learn to communicate with 10 different personalities by the time you're young. I always joke with my friends and coworkers that I can deal with any personality at work because nothing has anything on my family. I have to go home and visit my mom and dad, and I'm doing a week's work of conference meetings just navigating my family and keeping the peace. So I'd say my success comes down to passion and learning to communicate. Beyond that, I'm a team builder and a good listener. I think what also sets me apart is being able to remember that most of the time with a lot of these jobs, it's not the end of the world. Someone's life isn't on the line. Those jobs where lives matter, take them very seriously, but anything in corporate, no one's about to die, hopefully. You have to keep a level head, and once you are able to breathe through it, you get your teams through it too. I think that's a big aspect of a leader, because you don't want to follow that person who seems like they're running into the fire. You want the keep calm to lead your team into success and to navigate any turbulent situation that may arise.

The best career advice I've ever received might sound corny, but it's really that nothing is impossible. You're going to get so many different no's, and you're going to get so much rejection, and it's okay. It wasn't meant to be, and there's always something better that you're working towards. You just can't see it yet. This advice has been a big part of being where I am and being so calm about it too. You can imagine what all those years of experience going from medical to a different field meant in terms of rejection. I was even unemployed for 6 months because I had some medical issues, and it was horrible for me to find a job again, especially trying to switch career fields. That's where I say it goes into luck and persistence, but it was applying, applying, applying, being okay with the no's, and just knowing that there's something better out there. I think a lot of people hope to hear that right now too, with the current job market.

Ask the questions. Ask all the questions. Be a bother. That's my favorite thing, to run around the office and say I'm going to go bother this person. Don't be afraid to bother people when you have those questions, because that's the only way you're really going to learn. This applies both personally and professionally. I always tell my girlfriends the best advice - why are you sitting here wondering about this boy when you could just ask him? Get it over with. Professionally, I can be thinking about how do I figure this out? Well, guess what? There's someone in the company who does. I'm going to go bug them, or I'm going to bug the closest person I know to see if they might know who I actually need to bug. What sets me aside is that I'm not afraid. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to take up space. You're not a burden. You're learning. And if you're in an environment that doesn't support that, leave. Don't waste your time with a company that's not going to really support the type of growth that you're looking for over time. Some people get comfortable with a steady paycheck, and then they become too comfortable with it because they're afraid of doing anything else. But you have to be okay with not getting comfortable. Part of not getting comfortable is also being able to take risks. Don't ever put yourself in the corner, always stay front and center, because I think that's where you belong.

As a young professional in the water utility industry, I am excited by the unique intersection of stability, innovation, and purpose that exists within billing and payment operations today. Water utilities remain one of the most essential public services, offering long-term career growth while undergoing significant transformation through digital modernization, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analytics. These technologies are creating new opportunities to streamline billing processes, improve operational efficiency, and provide more personalized customer experiences at a time when customers expect greater transparency, convenience, and responsiveness from their service providers.

At the same time, the industry faces several challenges that require both innovation and adaptability. Economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and increasing concerns about affordability place pressure on utilities to balance financial sustainability with customer support. Environmental considerations and the growing need to invest in aging infrastructure further emphasize the importance of accurate revenue collection, efficient payment processes, and strategic decision-making. As customer expectations evolve alongside technology, utilities must continue investing in modernization efforts that enhance both operational performance and the customer journey.

I am fortunate to enter a field where generations of talented women have helped pave the way for greater representation and leadership opportunities. While meaningful progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure diverse voices are represented at every level of decision-making. I believe the next generation of professionals has an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives, challenge legacy processes, and leverage emerging technologies to create more efficient, customer-focused utility operations. The future of water utility billing is not only about managing accounts and payments—it is about building trust, improving accessibility, and helping shape a more sustainable and innovative industry for the communities we serve.

Not being okay with comfortability is one of my most important values. I believe in always being willing to learn and to accept change. In times where technology's growing rapidly and people are growing rapidly along with it, it's important to be able to be okay with change, to accept that change is necessary, and to evaluate where it is necessary as well. You need to assess if there is something that is working well and doesn't actually need to change versus what would actually benefit from it and be predictive for the future. That's on the professional end. On the personal end, being okay with change is also being okay with learning, to constantly educate yourself on the rapid changes in technology, and to be okay with digesting information even if the news is turbulent-even if it is harsh. You have to continue your pursuit of learning, not just professionally or academically, but for fun too. People always forget that learning could be fun. A lot of my pursuits that I want to do and those goals in education have nothing to do with what I want to do professionally. I want to do that for fun. Another important part of my life, politically, socially, and everything else along the way, is to be a part of a community. There's a give and take, and I think that's an important value to have outside and inside the professional life. I don't think I ever want to be comfortable. That doesn't mean I'm not happy, it just means that I'm always driving forward.