Luis Campos Román
INTERVIEW
Recently there have been many changes to the Board and Regional Representatives team of YWPDK. This meant that we needed to say thank you and bye to some very central people who have been leading the network in the previous years. We will in this series of interviews put focus on the people who have been fundamental to where the network is today. In this edition we present Luis Campos Román, who has been central to drive the network. While he was a Board member, Luis worked on strengthening the international collaborations within YWP and made many valuable connections with YWP chapters from all around the world.
Thank you Luis for the hard work and your contribution to the network!
"It’s not only a professional network, where you can share knowledge and learn what other people are doing, but a hub of young experts willing to make change and contribute to the water sector."
What motivated you to join the YWPDK network?
After my education at DTU, I realized that I needed to strengthen my network in the Danish market. When you come from abroad, it is a bit difficult to understand how the industry works and get an overview of the companies that are out there.
Since I joined in 2019, I have met many people from the sector, both junior and senior professionals. Some of them are actually very good friends. It’s not only a professional network, where you can share knowledge and learn what other people are doing, but a hub of young experts willing to make change and contribute to the water sector.
What was your role and how you “grow” during the past years within the organization?
Officially, I was “Alternate”. But there’s so much flexibility in the organization, that if you feel comfortable and motivated to lead other activities, the team (board) will always support you.
I started to be more involved in meeting other chapters in IWA and trying to create collaboration channels. Specially to share what the Danish chapter has been doing in the past years and give support to those chapters that are starting from scratch. So, I would say that my role ended up being more like “International collaborations”.
"I think somehow the YWPDK helped me to develop new interests, especially management skills that are a bit difficult to learn when you come from a technical degree. By being part of the board, you get the feeling of running your own company."
Which challenges did you face while working at the network?
Right after the board was elected in 2020, we got the Covid pandemic. So, everything changed, no physical meetings… everything online. We really tried to keep the momentum in the network and keep our members motivated with new activities (online), but you could see that it was not the same.
Personally, I think it was a pity. But the positive part is that I got the chance to collaborate with many people around the world, e.g. the Nordic Group, YWP Spain, YWP Germany, YWP Ecuador and many others. And now it feels even better when you can meet in events and finally get the chance to catch up for real!
What will you remember about the network?
The national conference of 2020 in Odense. The whole organizing committee worked pretty hard to make it happen and it was amazing. We got the highest number of participants at that moment; everything went as planned… I think it’s one of my favorite moments because you can see the fair reward to the effort and work of an engaged team.
How your professional life changed being a member of the network?
I started in the Urban Drainage department at Krüger A/S in December 2019, as project engineer. I’ve been mainly focused on hydraulic analysis in sewer systems, e.g., master plans, climate adaptation and giving consultancy to different utilities around Denmark.
At the moment, I’m still working at Krüger A/S as a consultant, but my profile has developed a bit more since then. I work as Digital Sales Lead, where I’m in charge of the implementation of Hubgrade Performance Sewer, an online digital twin for sewer networks.
I think somehow the YWPDK helped me to develop new interests, especially management skills that are a bit difficult to learn when you come from a technical degree. By being part of the board, you get the feeling of running your own company. Trying to improve the brand, getting more activities for your members and, specially, to grow in the Danish water sector.
"Thanks to YWPDK, I can just give a call to people I know in the water sector, whenever there’s a way to collaborate or just to ask for a different point of view."
Will you recommend joining the YWPDK to other people? Why?
Definitely. I will actually encourage them to do it even if they are not done with their education. It’s so much fun! I didn’t join until I was done with my MSc at DTU and I wish I would have chosen different by then. The organization gives you the chance to meet people with your same passion and, at the same time, to grow your own professional network.
When I started to work in the water sector, I could see seniors calling other professionals in their network, to partner or just to get some advice for projects. I never thought that I would get this until I would have over 10 years of experience. But thanks to YWPDK, I can just give a call to people I know in the water sector, whenever there’s a way to collaborate or just to ask for a different point of view. So, my advice, just do it!
One particular memory from the network?
Many memories come to my mind; it’s been an exciting journey! But if I could choose one that would define what the network means to me, I would say my first event as member of YWPDK. It was DANVA 2019 and I barely knew anyone in the network or water sector. I remember I met Inês Breda and without hesitation she started to introduce me to people everywhere, it was amazing. For some people it might look like something insignificant, but I will always be grateful to her. I think that shows the essence of the network and how great is to be part of it.
