Slater Infrastructure Group’s latest episode of podcast features the next generation of the water industry. We spotlight Oriana Bledsoe in conversation with our own VP of Project Management, Patrice Greenwood.
Oriana has an exceptional background story. Prior to joining Slater, Oriana became the first Mississippi Valley State University student to be selected to participate in the City of Jackson’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (CJTWF) internship program through its environmental partnership with Veolia Water North America which was collaborated by Slater Infrastructure Group (then known as Multi Energy Group) in 2017. After completing her internship, she secured a full-time position as a wastewater laboratory analyst at Veolia North America and she was then promoted to wastewater operator with a class II certification.
Oriana holds a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Health and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology and chemistry from the Mississippi Valley State University. With a strong background in environmental health and the utilities sector, Oriana is uniquely positioned to assist at many levels of project management as well as workforce training and development. She offers the ability to utilize scientific knowledge and her business acumen to facilitate many aspects of our services and offerings.
She talks about her experience as a female in the water and wastewater and her thoughts about women being underrepresented in STEM fields. She believes that the workforce training and development at Slater Infrastructure Group has been encouraging women and diverse workers to get involved in STEM fields and take leadership roles.
She urges women to join professional organizations and mentorship programs that support these efforts. For those interested in working in the water sector, there are programs that offer on-the-job training programs that support careers in the industry.
“I hope my story will inspire young adults particularly women and minorities across the country to join our industry in the same way they inspired me and prospective workers can find long-term careers.”
-Oriana
