News at 4Cs

WaterWORKS 2025 Coming to Cape Cod Community College

Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2025 WaterWORKS Blue Economy and STEM Career Exploration Day will be held on Tuesday, January 14, from 9am to 4pm at Cape Cod Community College.

At last year’s WaterWORKS, Greg Dolan, a high school senior at the time, met Captain Ken Baughman and asked him a lot of questions about getting into the commercial fisheries. The two still talk, said Baughman, and he runs into Dolan at the dock where they both sell fish they catch to a local buyer.

Dolan knew he wanted to pursue a career in fishing, WaterWORKS, started by the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation in 2018, gave him, and hundreds of other students, the chance to see that a career in the Cape’s Blue Economy is possible with or without continuing education after high school.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, hundreds of students from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are set to attend. During their visit, they will interact with blue economy and STEM-related employers and educators through interactive displays, one-on-one conversations, and panel Q&A sessions, highlighting the career opportunities waiting for them here at home.

New this year is the opportunity for additional attendees – including college students of all ages, families of students, younger learners, entrepreneurs, and active job seekers – to attend the afternoon session. Katy Acheson, Executive Director of the Blue Economy Foundation, explained that the event will be split into modules – with two waves of high school students coming from 9am to 1:20pm, followed by general attendees from 1:45-4 pm.

“I’m excited by the growing level of interest in our blue economy, and we’re thrilled to open up WaterWORKS to a whole new audience and show them what career paths are possible on Cape Cod,” said Acheson.

WaterWORKS promotes blue economy businesses by providing a platform to demonstrate their work, share internships and employment opportunities, and advocate for job skills required in their fields. Exhibitor attendance grows more each year, with over 60 exhibitors last year. “We’re proud that of past exhibitors surveyed, 95% say they will return to WaterWORKS,” Acheson said.

The event is held in partnership with the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Cape Cod Community College, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant, and Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance.

For more information, or to register students or as an exhibitor, visit bluecapecod.org/events/waterworks

About Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc.

Established in 2017, The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc. supports the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce initiative to promote and sustain a maritime-focused economy of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and in southern Plymouth County.