Students & Young Professionals Committee

The mission of the Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC) is to develop and implement programs to increase the activity and membership of students and young professionals in the Association. We truly believe that this is a very important group because these individuals are the current and future leaders of our industry.

Internship Program

The FWEA SYPC is proud to coordinate and administer the FWEA Internship Program! The purpose of this program is to help inform and guide talented individuals to reputable companies, utilities, and organizations within the Florida water industry.

For more information or to sign-up as an interested organization or potential intern, please click here.

FWRC Scholarship Opportunities

The FWEA SYPC is launching two new scholarship opportunities for students and young professional utility workers to attend FWRC 2027. For more specifics on these two scholarships, including eligibility criteria, requirements and how to apply, please click here.

Student Design & Poster Competitions

The annual Student Design Competition and Poster Competition will be held at FWRC in April, 2026

Each year the FWEA SYPC holds the Student Design Competition (SDC) and Students and Young Professionals Poster Competition at the Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC). For more information, including competition guidelines and participation forms, please visit: Student Design & Poster Competition.

Winners of the SDC Environmental and Wastewater categories will be awarded the Norm Casey Scholarship. The Norm Casey Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Norm Casey. An additional travel allowance will fund the winning teams trip to compete at the WEFTEC Student Design Competition to be held in Chicago in the Fall of 2027. Additionally, prizes are awarded to the top two posters.

Students and Young Professionals are welcome to also submit their resumes (as a separate one-page pdf) with their Participation forms. Students will receive a copy of their resume with feedback after the competition.

YP Workshop

The YP Workshop will be held at FWRC in April, 2027

Each year the FWEA SYPC, in partnership the FSAWWA YP Committee, holds the Young Professionals Workshop at the Florida Water Resources Conference. This Workshop provides leadership development skills, networking opportunities, and the ability to meet FWEA and FSAWWA leadership.

Each participant must register for the YP Workshop through FWRC. Attendees can sign up for the YP Workshop separately from FWRC registration. Tickets for the YP Workshop will be available on the FWRC event registration site at a later date.

For any questions please contact Ali Seghatoleslam at ali.seghatoleslam@bw-water.com.

Students and Young Professionals Social

Keep the momentum going after the YP Workshop by attending the annual Students and Young Professionals Social during FWRC 2027!

Whether you're looking to meet new colleagues, reconnect with friends, or grow your professional network, this event offers a relaxed environment to connect with fellow water professionals. Food, games, and a complimentary drink ticket for each attendee will be provided.

Social Media Contest

The Social Media Contest will be held throughout FWRC 2027.

Stay connected and get social during FWRC 2027! Follow FWEA's social media accounts and participate in the SYPC Social Media Contest for your chance to win prizes, raffle entries, and conference bragging rights.

Young Professional of the Year Award

Each year the SYPC administers the "Young Professional of the Year" award, recognizing outstanding service to FWEA. The FWEA YP of the Year is an outstanding young professional that shows leadership, initiative, technical knowledge and actively participates within FWEA. The winner will be announced and awarded at the FWEA Awards Luncheon. The winner also earns a paid trip to attend the annual AWWA/WEF YP Summit. The winner may also be recognized in the Florida Water Resources Journal, FWEA S&YP Website, social media and other publications. Past recipients of the YP award can be seen here.

2027 YP of the Year nominations will open in Fall 2026.

Please note that YPs are not allowed to nominate themselves but are encouraged to have their supervisors or colleagues submit a nomination form on their behalf. Members of SYPC are eligible.