Xavier Alegre

During my junior year spring break, I was accepted into MDC’s Try A Trade Program (1 of 15 out of 60 applicants). I learned about MDC careers, and in the summer of 2024, I participated in a work-based learning program (internship). I gained hands-on experience in Preliminary (course rack, fine screen, grinder washer compactor, grit chamber, hourly sample checks), Primary (primary clarifiers, sludge judge, CEPS, sample checks, primary sludge sample), Secondary (aeration tanks, secondary clarifiers, RAS sample, sample checks), and UV (modules, baffles, switching UV flow). I also performed tasks like well cleaning, tank draining, etc. After the summer, MDC offered me a part-time job throughout my senior year, where I learned about sludge processes: Thickening (gravity thickeners, DAFT tank, positive displacement pumps), and Dewatering (Schwing pump, centrifuge, polymer, mixing tank).