July 2, 2025
Jarod VanNorman found the Water to Work internship program at a low point in his life. Now he’s employed, excited and ready to pay it forward.
Jarod, like so many young adults, struggled to find a great career fit.
“I dropped out of college because it wasn’t right for me,” VanNorman said. “I was working at a gas station, in a rut, thinking that this was my life and there wasn’t going to be anything else.”
Fortunately for him and the City of Grand Rapids, that was not true.
“My mom got a flyer about the Water to Work program,” VanNorman said. “I went to a meeting to check it out and realized this was my chance to do something different. So I took it.”
Jarod started his internship in August 2024 and the work immediately grabbed his interest.
“I’ve always worked in customer service-type jobs,” VanNorman said. “This was a world I knew nothing about. Everything fascinated me!”
That included the mentorship component of the program, which was a totally new experience for Jarod. Hillary Caron, Water Education & Programs Coordinator for the City of Grand Rapids, says that the mentorship component is part of helping people find a way to be authentic and contribute their best.
“The interns get to choose their mentors during a ‘speed dating’ type of event,” Caron said. “The mentors are in it to build relationships and make a connection for people who are entering a new industry. We want to create an environment where people feel like they can contribute and belong. It’s fun to see that many of the relationships created early on are still thriving.”
Jarod chose veteran electrician Rob Scarbrough as his mentor. As someone who was an apprentice in the trades himself, Rob knows exactly how important this role is for a person who’s new to an industry.
“I was fortunate enough to have good mentors in my life growing up,” Scarbrough said. “I enjoy working with apprentices, and thought the interns would offer a similar experience. They’re green as grass, but the good ones are moldable. They can learn to see the work as a career. Jarod is one of those good ones.”
Jarod felt like he connected immediately with Rob.
“I was going through some tough stuff at the time,” VanNorman said. “Rob seemed to genuinely care about my life outside of work as well as inside. It was nice to have someone to talk to, someone who was always in my corner. He also gave me great career advice. In fact, he’s the reason I have the job I do today.”
Rob says Jarod is a great example of the kind of person this program can attract.
“As Jarod was going through the program, he thought that being a field operator would fit his skills. I had a friend in that role, so I connected the two of them. Jarod is a hard worker and this was a perfect fit.”
It didn’t take long for that dedication to earn Jarod a job offer with the City of Grand Rapids. In March 2025, he took on a full-time role as a utility field operator after only eight months of internship.
“This is a huge blessing in my life,” VanNorman said. “I love everything about it. Not only did I get through the entire internship process without debt, I also found a job I really enjoy. I have no regrets. I’m so grateful to Rob for getting me this opportunity.”
Rob is quick to diminish his role.
“I only get 2% credit,” Scarbrough said. “All I did is make a connection. Jarod earned this job. But it’s awesome for me to see that he’s happy and doing a great job. Being part of a team changes lives. Jarod went from not knowing what he wanted to do, to finding a great career. The sky is the limit for him.”
Now that he has experienced the mentor relationship, Jarod is eager to pay it forward.
“This is the first time in my life I’ve felt like I’m doing something for other people and not just for myself,” VanNorman said. “If I could help just one person find the same joy I’ve found, then that would make a huge difference. I want to be that person for someone else.”
The next cohort of the Water to Work program begins the week of August 25. There is an information session on July 8 for prospective applicants to ask questions and learn more. The application process opened June 2 and will close July 15. Anyone over the age of 18 with a high school diploma or GED can apply. Applicants must also pass a background check and have reliable transportation to get them to the various water treatment facilities. Students work Tuesday through Thursday as paid interns at both the City of Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Filtration Plant and the Water Resource Recovery Facility. They also take classes to supplement their hands-on learning, with the course fees and tuition covered by the EPA grant.
According to Hillary, success is easy to measure.
“All 15 people who have come into the program now have jobs in the industry,” Caron said. “Just like Jarod, most students have jobs before completing all 52 weeks of the official program.”
Jarod knows now that life is what you make of it.
“I started from a flyer and a chance,” VanNorman said. “You have to be willing to put yourself out there with new experiences if you want a better outcome.”
Learn more about the Water to Work program and apply.
Article reported by Julie Hordyk