“𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈,” a mantra that resonated through the insightful webinar entitled "Tracing Ripples: A Journey to Becoming a Water Quality Technician / Environmental Monitoring Technician" held on May 16, 2024, via Zoom. The event featured BSF Alumnus, Mr. Lenin Villamar, Senior Compliance Officer at Waste Services, Power and Water Corporation in Darwin, Australia.
Mr. Villamar's lecture highlighted the various roles one can pursue in water quality and environmental monitoring, such as Water Quality Technician, Environmental Technician, Mining Environmental Technician, Water Resource Officer/Technician, Sample Receipt Officer, Laboratory Technician, and Aquaculture Technician/Fish Farmer. He also discussed entry-level salaries and global water quality guidelines, emphasizing the importance of mobility in these guidelines. Professionals, he noted, must adeptly navigate various terrains and environments, whether on land, sea, or air.
Mr. Villamar detailed the processes involved in water quality analysis and the roles of water and waste treatment companies, as well as engineering and environmental consultancy firms. Following his lecture, an open forum allowed students to engage directly with Mr. Villamar, where he addressed their curiosities and questions, further enriching their understanding of the field.
Organized by fourth-year students of FISH 4398 under Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo's mentorship, the event aimed to explore the intricacies of water quality monitoring. Hosted by Mr. Joshua P. Jimenez and Ms. Angel D. Sotto, the webinar drew significant interest, maxing out at 168 participants.
