From Summer Student to Second Career:
Finding Opportunity at OCWA

Getting hired full time after a student placement or a co-op opportunity is something most students strive for. Finding a fulfilling, exciting second career can be a difficult and long journey. In today’s job market, there’s no single path to a rewarding career.

Whether you’re starting out as a co-op student or embarking on a new professional path, working at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) can open doors that lead to rewarding experiences, new challenges and opportunities to do meaningful work that supports Ontario communities and the environment. Meet four current OCWA employees who share the different paths that brought them to the Agency. From students taking their first steps into the workforce to employees embarking on a second career, their stories  highlight the experiences, opportunities and growth that have helped shape their careers.

I have gained valuable hands-on experience and learned a lot from working alongside senior operators who have shared their knowledge, experience, and advice.

From student to professional – placements at OCWA lead to full-time careers

For Lenel and Jeremiah, what started as an opportunity to learn and gain experience as students became the first step in building their careers at OCWA.

After joining OCWA as a summer student in South Peel, Lenel Padilla gained hands-on experience and transitioned into a full-time fixed-term role before even attending his convocation. Today, he works as a Training Coordinator at OCWA’s corporate office. “I was welcomed and supported by everyone around me from day one,” he says. “The roles I have had at OCWA have allowed me to continuously grow, expand my work experience, and build the confidence needed to take on new responsibilities and contribute in meaningful ways.”

Jeremiah Perez started at OCWA in high school doing a co-op placement. After working in the manufacturing industry, he came back to OCWA in 2023 and now works as a maintenance mechanic. “I have gained valuable hands-on experience and learned a lot from working alongside senior operators who have shared their knowledge, experience, and advice,” he says.

For years, OCWA has proudly provided opportunities where students can grow into full-time and fixed-term roles. Supporting that transition not only helps students build rewarding careers, but also helps OCWA continue to build a stronger, future-ready workforce.

Being willing to learn, ask questions, and take on new challenges can open doors to a career you might not have considered before!

Starting a New Chapter – Finding OCWA as a Second Career

Heather and Cara took different paths to OCWA, but both were looking for a change and found an opportunity to bring their past experience into an entirely new career.

After spending 15 years as a social worker, Heather Wharram was ready for a change. “I knew I wanted to contribute to a safer environment,” she says. “The water and wastewater industry appealed to me because of both the human and environmental elements.”

After returning to school, Heather joined OCWA as an operator and now serves as a Process Compliance Technician. “The people are great and the work is rewarding,” she says. “There is a good mix of routine work and new challenges throughout the week. There is a lot to learn, and I enjoy that.”

Cara McKillop wanted a change from office work, looking for a career that offered more variety and the potential for long term growth. “I first started with OCWA by covering a maternity leave in an administrative role. When an opportunity for a full-time, permanent position became available, I applied,” Cara says. “I completed my Operator-in-Training certifications and moved into an operator role, allowing me to begin building hands-on experience in the water and wastewater industry.”

For anyone considering a career change, Cara has simple advice: “Don’t underestimate what your previous experience can bring. Being willing to learn, ask questions, and take on new challenges can open doors to a career you might not have considered before!”

Stories like Lenel, Jerimiah, Heather and Cara’s are not unique. OCWA empowers employees to achieve their career potential through purposeful work, meaningful recognition, and opportunities for ongoing growth and development.

Whether you’re launching a career or starting a second one, OCWA provides opportunities to learn, grow, and build a rewarding career while making a meaningful difference.