Her Story
About Mackenzie
I started in the wastewater industry 6 years ago through a program in high school called the Hampton Roads Public Works Academy. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a dentist and was in a dentistry program, but coming to the water industry changed everything for me. I started in human resources, and we would get phone calls like 'Hey, you guys didn't come get my trash today,' and it sparked my interest to realize that so many people are unaware about where their water goes when they wash their hands or take a shower. Who's cleaning that water? Who's the end user of that dirty water? I realized so many people lack that knowledge, or they're paying a wastewater bill and don't understand why it's a certain price. Moving from human resources to learning and development, which is basically the training department, I learned that there are so many people working in this industry, but there's a whole world that has no knowledge or awareness of public health as it relates to wastewater and how it's treated. It doesn't just go away because we don't see it anymore. That's what really sparked my interest and made me stay in wastewater, along with the job stability, opportunity for career growth, and the lifelong networking I create with individuals. My typical day involves day-to-day operations, identifying any problems that may be going on in the system, and project management, following up on various projects.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mackenzie
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to never get too comfortable with where you are. Always be prepared for the next career step or goal, whatever that may look like. Never just settle for the bare minimum in the workplace. Make sure that the workplace exceeds all your expectations as well. It's about not getting complacent and always pushing forward.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Embrace it. Don't be scared to ask questions, don't be scared to have those silly little conversations. Always be open to listen, because you never know what could be your next career step. Don't be scared to navigate the water industry, because there's so many parts within it, but always be yourself as well. That would be my advice.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is that there's not many women. Another challenge is record keeping. Sometimes there's a lack of knowledge transfer, so you might have to do work that has already been done, or you might have to look extra hard for documents and things. These are ongoing issues that affect efficiency and continuity in the wastewater industry.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication is most important to me, across the board. Effective communication in both work and life is essential. Being a team player is also crucial. I value being outgoing and having the willingness to always be adventurous when it comes to things, navigating the unknown. These values guide how I approach both my professional responsibilities and my personal relationships.
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