Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers: Water & Wastewater Career Development Event
On May 31, 2025, the Chinese Canadian Environmental & Municipal Professionals Association (CCEMP) successfully hosted a career development event titled “Water & Wastewater Career Development” at the Langstaff Community Centre in Richmond Hill. The event brought together young professionals, students, and seasoned industry leaders to explore career pathways and emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving water and wastewater sector.
The event featured inspiring keynote speeches from three distinguished guest speakers:
- Emma Shen (Global Principal, Jacobs)
- Zhiping Qiu (Project Manager & Process Lead, Hatch)
- Chloe Wei (Project Engineer, York Region)
The event was moderated by Dongwei Sun, CCEMP Executive Member, who facilitated vibrant discussions and meaningful interactions between speakers and attendees.
🌟 Highlights from the Keynote Presentations
Chloe Wei: Unpacking Municipal Water Systems and Tackling Real-World Challenges
Chloe provided a structured and insightful overview of municipal water and wastewater treatment systems. Using a real-world case involving an overloaded sewage pumping station (SPS), she demonstrated practical strategies and engineering solutions to address operational challenges. She also presented a diagram of key stakeholders in the municipal water sector, clearly illustrating the collaboration between governments, the public, engineering firms, and technology suppliers — helping participants better understand the industry ecosystem.
Emma Shen: A Global Perspective on Decarbonizing Wastewater
Emma shared her professional journey from technical engineering to strategic consulting, offering valuable insights for aspiring engineers. She highlighted global trends in wastewater decarbonization, particularly the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from water resource recovery facilities and the importance of N₂O (nitrous oxide) monitoring. Emma also showcased several cutting-edge pilot projects, including the world’s first N₂O collaborative study in partnership with Princeton University, Durham Region’s GHG strategy, and the application of membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABR) in advanced nitrogen removal. Her presentation was both technically rich and forward-thinking.
Zhiping Qiu: The Human Side of Project Management
Zhiping shared his transformation from an engineer to a project management expert. He discussed the key qualities of an exceptional project manager (PM), including emotional intelligence, strong communication skills, technical expertise, adaptability, and even a sense of humor and use of analogies. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and innovation, offering practical advice and inspiration for those considering a diverse career trajectory.
💬 Engaging Panel Discussion: Real Questions, Candid Advice
The interactive panel discussion featured enthusiastic audience participation. Key questions included:
- How can job seekers stand out in today’s competitive market?
- What are the pros and cons of an advanced degree in the workplace?
- How to navigate a successful career transition?
- Why move from the private to the public sector?
- What impact will AI have on the future of this field?
- How have U.S. policies (e.g., during the Trump era) influenced the sector globally?
The speakers responded with honest, practical, and experience-based advice, creating a lively and thought-provoking dialogue.
🤝 Networking & Meaningful Connections
During the open networking session, participants had the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, engage in one-on-one discussions, and connect with professionals at various stages of their careers. The event served not only as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a springboard for professional growth and community building.
Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our speakers and attendees, the event concluded successfully, underscoring CCEMP’s ongoing commitment to supporting professional development in Canada’s environmental and municipal sectors.
📅 Stay tuned for upcoming CCEMP events — we are dedicated to building a platform for connection, learning, and growth for environmental professionals across Canada.