By Adam Vitcavage
At the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), delivering 3 billion gallons of water to residents every day requires more than infrastructure—it takes people with the right skills, mindset, and mentorship. That’s where Ian Alexander, a 30-year veteran of DEP’s Office of Information Technology, comes in.
When Rafael Moran joined DEP as a youth apprentice through the CareerWise New York program in 2023 during his junior year at Thomas Edison Career & Technical Education High School, he brought with him a strong passion for technology and a desire to turn his hobby into a career. What he didn’t have yet were the soft skills and confidence that come with professional experience.
Ian saw that right away, and he saw himself in Rafael.
“I was also an intern,” Ian shared. “I’ve been through that, coming in from high school, kind of like my first real job around a bunch of adults. So I was able to tell him: I’ve been in your shoes. You’re in good shape.”
Rafael had been passionate about tech since middle school, building his own PC and exploring IT networking, but stepping into a professional environment was something entirely different. “I was very anxious in the beginning,” he admitted. “Meeting everyone for the first time was difficult. These were people I wanted to grow up to be like.”
That’s where Ian stepped in, not just as a technical supervisor but as a mentor. “He was very genuine,” Rafael said. “He met me at my level, made sure I was comfortable, and even gave me books like Who Moved My Cheese and Grit to Great. That helped me grow on the soft skills side too.”
Ian believes those soft skills are just as important as any technical training. “Take the time to develop soft skills as well as your IT skills,” he said. “It’s all part of becoming a better person, then a better employee.”
As Rafael grew in his confidence, Ian watched him evolve not just as a young professional, but as a key contributor. “He’s helped the team with a number of key initiatives,” Ian said. “He was instrumental in outfitting the workspace for our expanding cybersecurity team, and he played a central role in setting up equipment for a major office relocation.”
Rafael’s initiative even helped shape how the whole team works. After asking to learn more about the different groups within IT, Ian arranged a series of meetings for Rafael with other departments, from networking to applications to the help desk.
“That gave me a clearer picture of what I want to do,” Rafael said. “Now I know I want to focus on network engineering and cybersecurity. I’ll be majoring in computer science at Pace University, with a minor in cybersecurity.”
And the growth isn’t just Rafael’s. Ian, a longtime leader, says the apprenticeship helped him grow too. “You learn patience. Apprentices don’t always come in with strong skills, but if they’re curious and willing to learn, it opens the door for you to help them.”
DEP is deeply invested in youth apprenticeship and internships as a way to develop future talent and expose young people to meaningful career paths. As Ian puts it, “A lot of people don’t know the full scope of what DEP does. We’re this quiet little giant, and we’re always looking to bring in young people and show them what’s possible.”
Rafael agrees. “Apprenticeships are very valuable, not just for a resume, but for figuring out what you want to do and gaining real skills. School doesn’t teach you what’s expected in the workplace. This did.”
As Rafael heads into his first year of college, he does so with clarity, confidence, and real-world experience that sets him apart. And he knows he’s not alone.
“I’ve grown a lot,” Rafael said. “And I know I have their support.”
