Learn more about this years competition at cwea.org/awards/sdc.
The Student Design Competition brings together passionate student teams to test their skills through real-world projects. But the biggest value goes beyond the competition itself. Students present their work to practicing engineers – people who started with the same curiosity for the water and wastewater profession and now carry years of experience. That exchange helps students connect their designs to real community outcomes and understand the relevance and impact their projects can make.
Meeting people, networking with industry leaders and fellow students, and sharing that commitment to water quality makes a real difference. It gives students a clearer picture of what their future can look like, the roles they can grow into, and the responsibility that comes with doing this work well. Realizing early in your career why our work matters – protecting public health, supporting the environment, and building resilience – can shape the way you show up for the profession.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s future, and getting involved in the design competition is one of those early steps that builds confidence and professional experience. It’s hands-on, collaborative, and it lets students see for themselves how their contributions to the water industry ripple outward – supporting utilities, strengthening infrastructure, and improving quality of life for the people we serve.
Through my involvement with the CWEA Student Design Competition (SDC), I’ve been able to collaborate with peers and industry mentors to promote not only technical excellence but also the interpersonal skills that make teams successful. I’ve always wanted to bridge the gap between emerging young leaders and the industry, so students have access to mentorship and opportunities that I missed early in my career. These experiences have strengthened my communication and leadership skills while giving me insight into how organizations translate their vision and partner with communities to develop stronger, real-world solutions.
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