The Produced Water Society Young Professionals Program supports students and early-career professionals ages 21–40 as they build knowledge, confidence, and meaningful connections across the evolving water and energy landscape. Through education, mentorship, and global engagement with the broader PWS community, the program creates a clear pathway for professional growth and future leadership in produced water management and water infrastructure innovation.
Led by PWS, this initiative provides emerging professionals with exposure to diverse industry perspectives while encouraging participation in discussions, career panels, and community-driven activities that shape the future of produced water management.
Participants connect with experienced professionals who share insight, advice, and career guidance, helping young professionals navigate their development with confidence and clarity.
Young Professionals engage with operators, regulators, vendors, and academics through events, networking opportunities, and job board access that expand understanding of the industry landscape.
The program fosters meaningful relationships among peers, creating a supportive professional network strengthened through collaboration and shared experience.
Through active participation, discounted membership, and ongoing engagement, the Young Professionals Program helps prepare the next generation to take on leadership roles within the produced water community.
The Produced Water Society Young Professionals Program is designed to support emerging talent ages 21–40 as they grow with confidence, connection, and purpose. By providing access to education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and real-world industry engagement, PWS supports the development of professionals who will shape the future of produced water management as a critical component of water infrastructure, energy resilience, and environmental stewardship.
This program creates space to learn from experience, build meaningful relationships, access career resources, and take an active role within the produced water community.
Yogashri Pradhan was most recently a Lead Production Engineer at Chevron. She’s had 10+ years of experience in unconventional asset development and production engineering in Midland and Delaware Basins for various Permian operators. She’s now taking this experience and founded IronLady Energy Advisors, a consulting firm focused on technical solutions for all forms of energy. Most recently, she has been honored as a distinguished alumni from the University of Texas Petroleum Engineering Department and Hart Energy’s 40 Under 40. She is the recipient of the Regional Reservoir Engineering Dynamics and Description and the Regional Service Awards in 2020. She’s also the recipient of Houston Engineers Week Young Engineer of the Year representing SPE-Gulf Coast Section for 2018 and the International Young Member Outstanding Service Award from SPE in 2018. Yogashri graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering in 2015 and received her Masters in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2020. In 2024, she earned her MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and New Mexico.
Marshall Pickarts started at Oxy in September 2022 and is now a Sr. Water Technology Engineer within the Water Strategy and Technology Team. His work focuses most notably on produced water desalination initiatives. Additionally, he assists with operational issues related to mineral scaling, oil-water separation, and gas hydrate formation as well as the technoeconomic evaluation of external technologies for water treatment. Prior to Oxy, he obtained Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State and Colorado School of Mines. During that time, he held various internship positions involving flow assurance and olefins production at ExxonMobil and Flint Hills Resources.
Ashwin Kumar is a water infrastructure engineer in Houston, currently serving as a Civil Engineer with Stantec supporting mission-critical data center developments. His expertise centers on environmental due diligence, water sourcing, and regulatory compliance (NPDES, TPDES, 40 CFR) for high-demand industrial facilities. Ashwin is deeply involved in advancing water reuse strategies—including evaluating produced-water reuse for cooling towers—and aligning treatment technology selection with strict permitting requirements to ensure long-term, sustainable supply. Beyond environmental planning, his work spans the full project lifecycle, from developing Power BI dashboards for real-time groundwater treatment monitoring (IX and RO) to supporting construction and L4/L5 commissioning of liquid cooling systems. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University, a BTech in Civil Engineering from NIT Warangal, and has passed the PE exam.
A program built to support learning, connection, and early career development.
Become part of the Young Professionals network and gain access to program resources, events, and engagement opportunities.
Participate in educational sessions, Technical Seminars, and industry discussions covering emerging topics such as desalination, beneficial reuse, mineral recovery, and regulatory frameworks shaping water and energy systems.
Engage with mentors, peers, and industry leaders to exchange insight and build lasting connections.
Strengthen your industry presence through participation, visibility, and leadership opportunities within the global PWS community.
We are happy to answer questions about eligibility, membership, and opportunities for students and early-career professionals.
The Young Professionals Program supports students and early-career professionals through education, mentorship, and connection within the produced water community.
The program is designed for students and professionals early in their careers who are interested in produced water management and related fields.
Opportunities include educational sessions, Technical Seminars, networking events, mentorship, and engagement with the broader PWS community.
The program helps participants build technical knowledge, expand professional networks, and gain exposure to industry perspectives that support long-term career growth.
Yes. The program encourages mentorship and connection with experienced professionals who share guidance, insight, and industry experience.
Young Professionals can participate in PWS conferences, seminars, workshops, and program-specific networking opportunities.
The program creates opportunities to engage with operators, regulators, vendors, academics, and peers through structured and informal interactions.
No. While students are welcome, the program also supports early-career professionals looking to grow within the produced water industry.
The Young Professionals Program provides targeted opportunities and support designed specifically for individuals early in their careers.
You can join PWS as a student or young professional, explore upcoming events, or contact the PWS team to learn more about getting involved.