Internship Provides Insight into Water Industry Innovation

Master’s degree candidate Liz Alexander (CEE 2019) is spending the summer interning for the nonprofit Current. In her position, Liz supports Current’s work to create sustainable economic growth by connecting partners in water technology commercialization.

Alexander is helping the organization to better understand technologies that can help its partners—which include research institutions, innovators, investors, utilities, and industry players.

CEE: Tell us about your internship.

My internship role is on the technical side—I help to understand and explain the technologies that come to us—and analyze how they can fit with our partners’ needs. I'm working at a nonprofit that focuses on innovation in the water industry by bringing together players from different arenas. This includes everyone from startups to researchers and utilities. 

The goal is to help each player to fill a void. For example, we help startups get their technology to market, utilities to de-risk new technologies that save customers money, and researchers to acquire funding and collaborate with industry players.

CEE: Which classes and experiences in school have helped you at Current?

In my work, I’m using skills and knowledge I gained in the classes Fundamentals of Water Quality Engineering and Water Resource Chemistry.  As a student, I stay as true as I can to my interests—and look for opportunities that allow me to learn as much as possible.

CEE: What’s been the best part of this experience?

My favorite part is getting a front seat view of how different parts of the industry interact. I have a better understanding about the gaps and underlying problems in this field. It’s been interesting to learn about so many innovative water treatment technologies—and the new trends in the industry.