Reflection Paper On Job Shadowing

Reflection Paper Being completely undecided in my career path, and since I have taken all of the available chemistry classes, when the opportunity to job shadow a water operator at the Emlenton Water Treatment Plant arose, I took advantage of it. Even with my knowledge in chemistry, I went into the experience knowing only that they use chemicals, such as chlorine, to treat the water from the river. I came out of the experience with a more selective career path and a much greater knowledge and appreciation for water treatment plant operators. On my first day shadowing, I met my mentor, Bill Kalp, and toured the plant. He explained the entirety of the plant from the intake pipe in the river pulling the water up, to when it is distributed to the community. When I arrived the next day, I got to see the plant in action. Bill pumped 40,000 gallons of water that day to put in the reservoir. He explained how he gets the right amount of chemicals to coagulate the water in order for it to be filtered and separated from the debris in the river, …show more content…
I find it good to know where the water I drink came from and how it is treated before it comes out of my faucet. The entirety of this experience was very beneficial to me, as I am undecided on what to do after high school. Due to my indecisiveness, any job shadowing that I do, of subjects that interest me, is valuable to my future.
I didn’t face any extreme challenges during my shadowing. Luckily, my mentor was very knowledgeable and anything I didn’t understand he could explain in different terms until I understood.
Overall, job shadowing at my local water treatment plant was interesting and a great learning experience. I enjoyed learning what a water plant operator does from day to day, but I don’t see myself having that career. This experience helped narrow my career path, and I learned a lot along the