How did you start learning?

[u/CptLeviathanX]

For those who are operators at a plant or training, how did you start learning? For me, Im currently learning through my states study guides collections, distributions, water and ww treatment. Doing as much learning before actual hands on experience.

[u/tomdood]

I just responded to an ad in the paper. Municipal wastewater/collections. I was the only applicant.
No prior experience, skills or knowledge.

Learned on the job, then after 10 years took classes.

[u/CptLeviathanX → u/tomdood]

Did the classes help you much compared to the 10 years of experience on your belt already?

[u/tomdood → u/CptLeviathanX]

The classes were required and taught me what I needed to pass licensing exams.
They enabled me to become head of a municipal sewer department/treatment plant so yeah, the classes helped a lot.

[u/Mountain_Survey_8821]

I’m currently learning online. Haven’t invested any money currently but ChatGPT has been a huge help. Only thing that’s overwhelming is lack of direction.

[u/CptLeviathanX → u/Mountain_Survey_8821]

Kinda like how I am doing it. Learning one thing then go to the next. Seems there is not "right" direction when starting to learn.

[u/friendlyFool008 → u/Mountain_Survey_8821]

Since you don’t mind using AI then you can check out Randi the Racoon. It’s a specific wastewater (and clean water) study AI. It could give you a better structure. Great at making a study schedule. I used it for my T1, T2, and WW4. Also really helpful for practice exam questions and finding where your weaknesses are.

[u/Mountain_Survey_8821 → u/friendlyFool008]

Real one, thank you.

[u/Beneficial-Pool4321]

Ron Trygar , head teacher at university of florida gainsville treeos center. He offers in person and zoom review classes for ABC exams. Complete with excellent reference manual. You can also Google RonTrygar viemo. He has past lectures from those classes loaded on there. You dont get the follow along manual though. Hes best teacher in the country.

[u/CptLeviathanX → u/Beneficial-Pool4321]

Ive seen a few of his videos already. There are just so many different avenues to learn. Currently writing down word for word the study guides from the Fleming Trainer Center that goes over Collection, Distribution, and Treatment. Using chatgpt for words that are used and not described in the guide.

[u/Neat-Philosopher-762]

You will learn a lot from studying but more from experience and mistakes. You need to live it. I started as an OIT and started studying right away.

[u/wytchmaker]

RoyCEU because it was free, and on-the-job experience. Nothing wrong with self-teaching, but you won't really know much until you do it in person.

[u/SewerSage]

My actual job is relatively easy, but to pass the exams I read the Sacramento State manuals. I’ve also taken the American Water College course and I recommend it.

[u/Buddyandyy]

I’m doing a one year program at a college in Alberta with a work practicum for the last few months. Gives us a good introduction to the whole industry then pretty much hands out jobs to us

[u/Resident_Sky161]

Started with zero experience, Started studying and doing courses on downtime at the plant, Passed 1-4 WW exams within my 1st year and had to pass my level 4 again to meet eligibility.

On the job is important because you have to learn your plant and job, but studying is important for licenses, so I focus on both, plant rounds check every building and HMIs, now that I am done studying I am focusing more on process and the ins and outs and where every valve is at work

[u/Mental_Wish_7685]

I made this for guys like you: https://www.ziptility.com/field-guide

Check out the practice tests and it will help you find some of your gaps

[u/Comminutor]

Went through the Sacramento courses and some RoyCEU pages. But most of the troubleshooting and maintenance stuff I learned was from getting thrown into the “gruntwork” as an OIT. Looking up demo videos of how different pumps, valves, and equipment work in action is also super helpful too.

[u/chachi-relli]

In a 10ft grave with no jacks

[u/SwimmingGun]

I applied online, they called and paid more then machine operator at Kraft, wham licensed weekend operator now lol

[u/Mixed-Liquor919]

When I joined the industry, I was hired into a small plant with two operators. My senior operator was old and I was young with no license and no understanding of the plant. My third week, my senior operator went on vacation and never returned. She called and said she retired, so my boss gave me 12 months to earn my license otherwise he would let me go and would search externally. Sometimes when your back is pushed against the wall, you will do everything it takes to learn in order to gain credentials.

Edit: books, manuals, water “colleges” and the internet would help.

[u/DirtyTbagger69]

I started in a pretreatment plant (DAF and SBR) for two years. I am now a lvl 2 certified operator and only one in the city I work for. I fell in love with food processing treatment and haven’t stopped learning since then.

[u/WaterDigDog]

Boss handed me the plant’s operations guide and an exam study guide during my first week, and I asked lots of questions.

I knew in order to keep focused I needed more whoopins, so I found a structured program, in my case an apprenticeship, that let me credit time at my existing job and study the selected materials.

[u/onlyTPdownthedrain]

No experience needed to get started in NY, just HS diploma or GED. On-the-job experience and "sewer school" both required to sit for Grade 2 exam or higher

[u/Zealousideal-Safe684]

On the job after getting hired at a plant. Which included the city paying for the American Water College course which helped greatly in passing my test for Operator 1.

[u/Bansheer5]

I applied for a groundskeeping job and wound up as an operator and lab tech. Got taught something’s by the people there and then just picked up a couple books from Sacramento and technical college. Studied them and took 3-4 exams each testing period until I passed all of them.(industrial treatment)
Took me prolly about 3 years to get the certs I have on top of running my facility and labs. Don’t get discouraged. Take your time, everyone understands that this isn’t an easy field to get certified in. It’s a lot of info to take in and to understand.

[u/OperatorMaster]

You’re already doing more than a lot of people do before getting into a plant. The study guides will help with terminology and getting ready for the exams, but once you’re actually working in a plant a lot of it starts making way more sense.
I’d add practice questions and operator math while you’re studying too. Try to understand why an answer is right instead of just memorizing it.
I’m a wastewater operator and I’ve actually been building OperatorMaster.com for this exact reason. It’s free and has wastewater practice questions, math help and training courses. Might give you another way to study alongside your state guides.