Editor’s note: Since 2010, CAP has welcomed college students for 12-week internships. This summer, ASU student Emma Cornelius was one of six interns who put their knowledge into action.
CAP Water Transmission Intern Emma Cornelius sees beauty in things that many might find mundane. What’s on the top of that list?
Rocks.
“As a geology major, people think I just look at rocks, which I do. But I see something that is beautiful and interesting,” said Cornelius. “When I look at a sedimentary rock, I see the story of what was here millions of years ago — documentation of the evolution of our landscape and how water has moved through the earth.”
Cornelius wants to be part of that evolution, to have a career where she can contribute to the future of water in our state, so the Arizona native chose to major in geology, with certificates in water resources and Geographic Information System (GIS).
It’s a career path that isn’t surprising for Cornelius, a fifth-generation Phoenician. Although she grew up in a family of teachers and nurses, she hated blood and didn’t have the patience to be a teacher. But she found beauty in spending time outdoors – even in the heat of the Arizona summer – and as a child she was captivated by conversations about drought and water shortage in her beloved state.
“Everyone would talk about the seriousness of our drought issues. They would say we were running out of water, and we needed people to do something,” said Cornelius. “I realized I could be one of those people who could help do something.”
Geology, combined with water resources and GIS, would provide her with the tools to do just that. When she took “Water Planet,” a required, entry-level class at Arizona State University, it did more than introduce her to water in the Southwest.
“The professor cared so deeply about the subject and passion really rubbed off on me,” Cornelius said.
She jumped in with both feet, eager to get some experience and make an impact. After her freshman year, she secured an internship with a geotechnical engineering company; a field that focuses on soil and rock impact with engineering projects. The experience helped her grow and learn … and realize she couldn’t see much beauty in drilling and soil sampling.
The next summer, she was selected for the Arizona Hydrological Society’s Herman Bouwer Intern Scholarship, where she worked with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), LRE Water, and the U.S. Forest Service.
“That experience confirmed I was on the right path,” said Cornelius. “When I saw the CAP internship posted, it was speaking my language, and I jumped at the opportunity.”
She was selected for an internship in CAP’s Water Transmission Department, which has been a beautiful opportunity for Cornelius. She’s worked alongside teams monitoring recharge operations, conducting biological surveys, and updating GIS maps to support fieldwork. From helicopter tours to vegetation mapping in Lake Havasu, she’s done it all.
“At CAP, I get to work with an incredible team that is passionate and knowledgeable,” said Cornelius. “They truly want me to get the most out of this experience and I’ve felt incredibly supported.”
Recharge has captured her interest, in part because of the passion from long-time employee Al Grochowski, who has overseen many CAP recharge projects.
“People often overlook recharge, but it’s so critical to Arizona’s water supply,” she said. “You can’t see what’s happening underground, but the impact is huge.”
As Cornelius enters her senior year, she is already thinking about her next steps: finishing her degree, completing another internship and then pursuing a professional master’s degree in hydrogeology. After that?
She hopes to stay in Arizona and work toward developing more sustainable and resilient water systems … to ensure the beauty she sees in Arizona will continue for future generations.
“I want to be part of the solution, not just someone who talks about it,” said Cornelius. “So people like me can live in Arizona and raise a family here without water being an ongoing concern.”
Now Cornelius finds beauty not only in rocks, but in water too!
