Former GIS Intern Begins His Career at American Water!

James Hill, a key member of the GIS team at Hopeworks, said goodbye this week to his Hopeworks workstation and is moving on to a full-time contract position at American Water!

Working in the new American Water headquarters on the Camden waterfront, James will work to analyze and process data from American Water subsidiaries across the country, helping to build a robust database to make American Water’s operations more effective and efficient.  

“While we are sorry to see James go,” says Hopeworks GIS Director, Luis Olivieri, “we know he is ready for this opportunity.”

James Hill started at Hopeworks in the Fall of 2016. He says that his time at Hopeworks has been very helpful and an all around great experience. Although, he admits he initially wasn’t looking for a job or internship at Hopeworks, but rather to learn new skills and move closer to his dream of becoming a game creator/designer.

Prior to starting at Hopeworks he worked labor jobs with his father and was not attempting to achieve any of his goals. Afterwards, with the launch of a new school year, he began taking his future and dream seriously with support from individuals within and outside of Hopeworks.

During his time as an GIS intern, he’s discovered a love for teaching. He didn’t count himself as the best, but his passion led him to mentor and teach those who needed help in working to the best of their ability. Now, through his hard work and dedication, he will be starting at American Water as an Enterprise Asset Performance Contractor in February-- his first full time position. He is very grateful to Hopeworks and to all those there who’ve supported him along the way, saying, “Being at Hopeworks meant more to me than what I can put into words. The reason I decided to keep coming is because this is not just a job to me, this is a family.”

James joins several other Hopeworks youth now working with American Water and New Jersey American Water on the Camden waterfront, becoming part of a growing number of Camden young people joining corporations relocating to the city to help Camden rise!