Jessica admits that she didn’t begin her water engineering studies loving every moment. “I didn’t like the fluid mechanics course. I didn’t like the lecturer. I just wanted to get through it. But I ended up doing well at the end of that course, and the lecturer reached out to ask if I wanted to help with some research over the summer.”
Experience leads to inspiration
That summer-research opportunity changed everything. “The work I was exposed to wasn't just about equations and physics, suddenly it was about the real-world impact of water infrastructure and how essential it is.”
“What really stayed with me,” she says, “is that the lecturer went on to become a massive mentor, almost like an academic father figure. You never know where things will take you.”
Now working in infrastructure project development, Jessica says her role allows her to think up amazing ideas to solve important issues.
“It’s at a high enough level that I can think creatively and strategically, not just about solving technical problems, but about which problems are worth solving.”
As challenges facing the water sector become more complex, that kind of strategic thinking, paired with creativity and pragmatism, will become more valuable than ever.
Making water accessible
Engineering and water infrastructure planning is just one side of Jessica’s work. She is also deeply passionate about water literacy, actively bridging the gap between the technical world and the public. As host of her podcast Our Water Connection, she uses storytelling to make complex water topics accessible and engaging.
“People take water for granted,” she says. “They don’t see the incredible industry that works behind the scenes. My motivation is to help others understand the value of it all.”
Her academic background, once used to teach equations and theory, still serves her today: “Even though I’m no longer in a classroom, that same principle of using clear, simple language still drives everything I do.”
For Jessica, raising water literacy isn’t about dumbing things down, it’s about connection and respect. “We’re talking about something that affects everyone’s daily life. Keeping it simple doesn’t mean dumbing it down, it means respecting your audience enough to meet them where they are.”
Already shaping the future
Winning the 2025 Young Water Professional of the Year award was more than a trophy for Jessica, it was validation for years of curiosity, hard work and purpose. “It was incredibly rewarding. I don’t think anyone gets into this sector without being passionate about it. That’s why the recognition meant so much,” she reflects.
Yet, even as a winner, Jessica remains grounded. “There’s only one official winner, but I felt honoured just to be among such incredible people. Everyone in that group is doing amazing things and that’s what we need. Incredible people doing incredible work.”
As she looks ahead, she sees a generation of early-career professionals who are ready to redefine what it means to build a career in water. “Learning more about the industry as a whole gives YWPs a broader playground to explore and influence. We’re already touching on different types of problems early in our careers, which helps us figure out what we enjoy most and where we can make the biggest impact.”
“It’s not about having one linear career path anymore. It’s about bringing people together from different disciplines and backgrounds to find shared solutions. That’s how we’ll keep building a sustainable water future."
.svg){kind=small}