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News Article
Denver Water apprenticeship shaping one teen’s future
Tierra Parkinson finds growth through program — and in her music.
Editor’s note: This story was written by Lexi Moyers, a University of Colorado Boulder student who interned with Denver Water’s Public Affairs team during summer and fall 2024.
Tierra Parkinson never imagined her passion for bass guitar would find harmony with an apprenticeship in Denver Water’s GIS (Geographic Information Systems) department.
“It’s amazing,” Parkinson says, “I’m working with top-tier experts, learning so much at Denver Water, and I feel my skills improving every day.”
In July 2023, Parkinson joined Denver Water’s first cohort of apprentices, seeing it as a unique opportunity to build career skills as she finished her senior year at Vista Academy High School.
Denver Water created its apprenticeship program in partnership with CareerWise Colorado, which connects eager students with interested employers. The utility’s first two-person cohort is set to complete the program in July 2025.
Join the Denver Water team, at denverwater.org/Careers.
Ashley Kessens, a human resources talent senior specialist who manages Denver Water’s side of the apprenticeship program, said she hopes it will create a talent pipeline for the next generation of employees at the utility, which provides clean, safe drinking water to 1.5 million people in Denver and surrounding suburbs.
Discovering GIS
Before her apprenticeship, Parkinson didn’t know anything about GIS, and how it helps display information in a visual way. Still, she was intrigued by the chance to learn about something new in a professional setting.
“My dad encouraged me to apply, and when we found out that I’d been accepted, we were both so excited,” she said.
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During the first few months of her apprenticeship, she balanced her time finishing her senior year and a few hours a week at Denver Water. Post-graduation, she transitioned to part-time work, immersing herself more fully in her GIS responsibilities.
As a GIS apprentice, Parkinson has spent the past year ensuring the accuracy of data used and supporting the fieldwork done across Denver Water’s facilities, working on projects like mapping pavement construction done in the utility’s service area and the location of lighting in facilities.
Navigating new challenges
She remembers the first days were challenging.
There was new software that everyone in the office knew, except her. Technical jargon her new colleagues understood, but she didn’t.
Being at Denver Water was also far different from the trampoline park, a more informal environment filled with teenagers and younger children, where she’d worked before. She hesitated to ask questions, not wanting to bother her colleagues.
“At first, it was overwhelming,” she admits. “But everyone has been so nice and really patient with me while I go through these steps, as I am still learning each day — and I’ve learned there are no dumb questions.”
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The more she practiced the software and asked questions, the more she learned and grew comfortable.
Kessens, who helped implement the program, has witnessed firsthand how Parkinson has grown through the experience.
“The first cohort of the program has been fantastic,” Kessens says. “It bridges the gap between youth education and the important work Denver Water does. We hope to expand into other departments in the future.”
One of Parkinson’s team members, GIS Senior Analyst Jeremy Jordan, believes both the team and Parkinson have benefited from the experience.
“Every project Tierra takes on, she approaches with optimism and accuracy. She’s been a tremendous help, and it’s been rewarding to see her confidence and independence grow,” Jordan said.
Lessons from bass and beyond
Parkinson sees a clear connection between her music and her work at Denver Water.
“Playing bass is all about staying consistent, which is kind of like my job,” she explains. “Like my music, the more I work and the more I learn, the easier it gets.”
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Parkinson’s dedication doesn’t end when she leaves the office. She spends her free time expanding her knowledge of GIS, reading books and even taking online courses to deepen her technical skills.
“Even when I’m not at work, I keep learning and try to apply myself to what I’m doing at work,” she says.
Finding support in the Denver Water community
Reflecting on her apprenticeship, Parkinson is grateful for the encouragement and support she’s received from her team.
“Everyone I work with has been so kind and patient as I learn each day,” she says.
The GIS team has provided her with an environment where she can explore, learn and grow without fear of making mistakes.
“Every day brings something new. I’m thankful for the chance to be here and learn from people who are so passionate about what they do,” she says.
Looking forward
With a year left in her apprenticeship, Parkinson is starting to think about her next steps.
She plans to focus on her education at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she’s majoring in cybersecurity with a minor in GIS. She also aspires to study abroad, gaining global perspectives that could enrich and influence her future career.
Meet Denver Water employees who started as interns.
Her dream? To find a role where she can help others, much like she feels Denver Water’s GIS department does.
“I’m keeping my options open, but I know that this experience has set me on a great path,” she says.
For others considering the apprenticeship program, Parkinson has simple but great advice:
“If there is any hesitation, go for it! The program is wonderful and the skills you will gain at Denver Water are invaluable.”