Ep. 6 How Internships Are Transforming the Future Workforce with Kerrie Bryan of EVWD

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Dale Marsden talks with Kerrie Bryan, Director of Administrative Services at East Valley Water District, about the growing need to bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

Kerrie shares how East Valley Water District faced the challenges of an aging workforce and used innovation and partnership to turn those challenges into opportunities for young people. From launching remote internships during COVID to building career pathways for local students, the District has become a model for how employers can proactively invest in the next generation.

Together, Dale and Kerrie explore the real impact of paid internships, not only on students like David Rojas, whose experience opened the door to a full-time career, but also on the organization itself - boosting engagement, culture, and purpose across the entire team.

This conversation continues the mission of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent: changing the narrative from “preparing students for work” to creating real-world opportunities where talent, education, and industry come together to shape the future of the workforce.

Bio:
East Valley Water District (EVWD) Director of Administrative Services, Kerrie Bryan, embraces changes in the ever-evolving workforce to recruit and retain world-class employees by developing programs that build a culture of public service, foster professional development across all position levels, and promote employee engagement.

Having established the EVWD’s Human Resources Department over a decade ago, Ms. Bryan took notice of generational shifts in the workforce, like the Silver Tsunami, and responded by developing and spearheading an initiative that builds a future talent pool.

Over the past four years, she has worked with local school districts and colleges to develop a career readiness pathway program to help prepare the next generation of water and wastewater industry professionals within the community. The program focuses on educating students about water industry careers, provides hands-on training, and internship opportunities at EVWD.

Ms. Bryan’s passion for cultivating leadership and creating a purpose-driven organization has contributed to East Valley Water District’s recognition as an Inland Empire Top Workplace for ten consecutive years.

Kerrie Bryan is a human resources expert with 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
Instagram:   / eastvalleywater  
Facebook:   / eastvalleywater  
Website: http://eastvalleywater.gov/

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:
LinkedIn:   / tomorrowstalent  
Dale Marsden:   / dale-marsden-05287756  
Zachary Hill:   / zachary-hill-0a5628219  
Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/