Dipping into water management

By Janette Neuwahl Tannen [email protected] 08-28-2025

Growing up in Denver, Colorado, Leanna Navo always appreciated the natural beauty around her.

That passion for the environment attracted her to the University of Miami, where Navo quickly found two majors and several classes that could help her forge a career in sustainable development.

Now a senior studying ecosystems science and policy, geography and sustainable development, and Spanish, Navo wants to do some environmental policy work after college but has realized she wants a job that will draw on her scientific knowledge, too.

This summer, she explored the field of water quality through an internship in hydrogeology at the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department, working 30 hours a week for three months at its headquarters on Douglas Road and helping to sample and monitor water at several local treatment plants, while also overseeing well construction.

"I've always wanted a career that will allow me to make a contribution to the environment but also to the field of sustainability, so I'm trying to find areas I may want to pursue deeper to determine what I want in a career," said Navo, who is also a Hammond Scholar and Foote Fellow. "This was a great opportunity to explore the area of water and helped me understand better how to protect it."

She shared more about the experience.

How'd you hear about this internship?

Theresa Pinto, lecturer and director of civic engagement for the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, often sends out internship opportunities that may interest E.C.S. majors, so in March she sent out an email that Miami-Dade County had some internship opportunities with a link to apply. There was a hydrogeology engineer intern position, and I did not think it was for me, but they were looking for students who have GIS (Geographic Information System) experience and knowledge about geosciences of Florida. I happened to have those qualifications because I've taken a lot of courses about the hydrogeology of Florida, so I applied, not thinking anything of it. Soon I interviewed, and in late April, I was offered the position. I was floored.

Where were you working, and what's a typical day like?

I was working in the Hydrotechnical Services Division at Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department, with about seven other county employees.

We kept track of groundwater quality. I collected data from monthly operations reports and other documents found on Oculus-a government database-to keep track of water quality and well operations. I also attended meetings with my supervisor and other consultants to the county, visited water treatment plants and well fields to collect samples, checked on problems with a well or injection well, and helped to monitor regulatory compliance overall.

What University classes helped prepare you for this?

Hydrogeology, where we talk about general geology, but also that of Florida, and quantitative methods for E.C.S., where we measured saltwater intrusion in South Florida. The class was dedicated to writing a paper, so we got samples of water from canals, and did lab work with professor Peter Swart of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. It was completely related to what they are doing in the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, since they are measuring saltwater intrusion regularly. Also, the many courses I have taken on Geographic Information Systems mapping helped as well, since that was a qualification on the description for the internship.

How does this fit into your career goals?

This internship has exposed me to the world of hydrogeology, and I learned so much about wells and groundwater. I've also learned about impactful projects like aquifer storage and recovery-or capturing water from one season and storing it for the rest of the year-because water is such a stressed resource here in Florida. This could be huge for addressing overpumping and saltwater intrusion in Florida. Seeing the true impact that these interventions could have made me interested in focusing on water and hydrogeology for my career. Overall, this experience helped me consider a career in water management and maybe even getting a master's degree in geology.

My ultimate goal was to become a sustainability manager for a major corporation, but after this experience, I've realized I may want to start with water quality.

What have you gained from this experience?

A stronger professional network, more confidence, and a deeper interest in GIS and technical applications. I've met consultants and county employees who have shown me potential career paths, and I've seen how powerful data and GIS mapping can be for water sustainability.

Any mentors at the University who helped you with this process?

Lecturer Victor Rossinsky in the Department of Geography and Sustainable Development helped me review hydrogeology concepts, and professor Justin Stoler guided me through sustainability coursework. I'm also a research assistant for professor Haoluan Wang in geography and sustainable development.

What are your biggest takeaways?

From this experience, I learned it's never too late to apply to something-no matter how close it is to summer. I was convinced I didn't have an internship and ended up getting a really good one.

Also, shoot for the stars and don't count yourself out. Getting this internship renewed my confidence and taught me to apply to everything. You never know what might come through, and when it does, give it your all.