Ah Ha! Moments

It is so helpful to see all the methods used to keep testing secure. It inspires a lot of confidence.

There are multiple ways to find where security is compromised.

I thought it was a great way to think about suicide as Kimberly described it: if someone hasn’t been suicidal, it’s because there hasn’t been an event that they didn’t have the coping skills to work through. But that event could happen.

It helps he rest easy knowing PSI is constantly reviewing exam data and keeping up with new technologies.

We are all at risk.

I need to take care of myself as well as those I love and support before it overwhelms me

When our speaker mentioned the Tampa Bay Rays having ads at all games for mental health, I realized that could be a venue for advertising Water Operators as a career path. (!!) Could we prepare a few short videos or promotional bits to play at local Minor League games or local sports? Young folks may not watch TV, but they do participate in sports!

The discussion on judgement triggered my memory of a quote I had read:

“Be curious, not judgmental.”

When our speaker mentioned the Tampa Bay Rays having ads at all games for mental health, I realized that could be a venue for advertising Water Operators as a career path. (!!) Could we prepare a few short videos or promotional bits to play at local Minor League games or local sports? Young folks may not watch TV, but they do participate in sports!

It’s not enough for me to simply say “I’m here if you ever want to talk.” Rather, I need to periodically look friends/colleagues in the eye and genuinely ask how they’re doing. And be willing to simply listen to understand. Even I’m qualified to do that.

Flexibility is more important than pay and job security.

When you realize if you attend a conference make sure you are at the correct conference 😂

I learned from the PSI presenter in talking with him after his presentation that the operator exams could have diagrams and visuals, and even short videos associated with questions. I think more visuals in these exams could potentially assess the skills of operators better than just all text based questions. I’m not saying making the test easier, or water it down, I’m saying present the questions in ways that make sense to a more diverse mix of people. Especially people who are not good standardized test takers. Apparently the strength and conditioning standardized test includes videos!

I love interactive talks. Doing table top exercises keep me engaged.

Credentialing is to determine whether they know enough, not everything.

How do you know where you are, if you don’t know where you are?

Being Powerful is a mentality. It doesn’t come from size or how loud you are. It comes from bravery and passion. Being Powerful comes from your belief in your message and the passion in your heart to say what needs to be said. Watching an 8 year old girl stand up to the most powerful man in her country was humbling and encouraging!

We are all carriers and carers of water.

When you can convey importance to people, you can inspire activism. Whether it be with consumers, operators, or other stakeholders, we must develop ways to show the impact water has. Many disparities are not limited to water but branch into much larger, systemic social issues. When we stand up for one issue, like water quality equity, we stand up for them all.

Amazing how you can overcome bullying by staying strong in what you beleive. Keep on keeping on!!

I’ve always known that “water is life” but in the documentry when it said “our children are carried in their mothers water, and their mother was carried in her mother’s water and so on and so forth”. It brought me to tears now that I am a new mother as it really resonates with me about how “water IS life”. Eternally! ❤️
Thank you!

Only put your energy towards positive endeavors.

As water professionals, I feel that we share the passion and commitment with Amber to protect and heal the waters of our planet. Every chance that I have to explain why a town needs a GOOD operator is a chance to refocus our adult minds on what is truly important, ensuring safe water.

Have a mentor mentality

I have never thought of risk as an equation and appreciated the explanation.

I appreciated the suggestions of digging into past jobs to find and apply the correlated skills to future positions as well as continuing your education regardless of your current position.
Martin’s comment on changing one thing in life effecting potential everything and will make me rethink hypothetical questions.

Assume the Boom

We know stuff happens, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a hurricane or zombies–we need to plan for recovery and resiliency

Many people came into this profession accidentally and/or by other circumstances. However, it’s important to train to prepare yourself for opportunities to have a meaningful impact on the community you serve.

I appreciated when they were talking about retirement and the importance of financial planning. So many people put it on the back burner… I put it on my to-do list to revisit when I get home. Thank you!

Having a WARN system is great and established but the idea of a quick response “Strike Team” is a great idea. Make sure you know who is willing to respond for mutual aid because it’s not for everyone

The more safety factors in play, the riskier we tend to act. We are more circumspect if we feel at risk.

pre-pair, if you can’t extend the deadline adjust the action. Learn to fail safer.
Bills booth rules #2 – rugby players have less concussions due to being less risky than those of American football players with helmets.

Juliette talked about the fan in the bathroom breaking, the ceiling falling, and just an unfortunate situation happen to discover the hidden room that exposed history. We need to look at life, our work, and more this way. We are going to hit hurdles.. rocks, boulders, lose our mojo, etc. however, things like that are going to happen. We can’t prevent them. If we tackle them and shine them, think of the possibilities that our outcomes could be and use it to our advantage instead of letting it bring us down even more. Maybe we get denied something, think of our ways we can make due or work around it to then advance ourselves and make our things greater, stronger, and better to help others around us. If we let it stop us in our tracks.. not only do we suffer ourselves, but everyone that we’re working for to better will suffer too.

The definition of “disaster” and phrase “the measure of success is to make things less bad” is enlightening and thought provoking.

Stephen Hernadoz – the mobile app. Excellent

I am new to this world having just graduated college and my first job being operator certification. I realized that water/wastewater operators are the unsung heroes of the pandemic. They helped keep us moving and functioning when most people could not work. They continued to show up.

Use universal standards for training and then audit all training providers every 5 years.

We need to encourage networking among participants during virtual training!

10 min presentation, 2 min engagement

Programs need to figure out a method to grant credit for micro learning modules.