Brianna Vega is the first person in her family to earn a master’s degree, and — with that degree — she’s also advancing the expertise of Denver Water’s human resources department. 

“I wanted to push myself,” said Vega, a talent senior specialist in Denver Water’s HR department. 

“It was worthwhile, and it has definitely paid off.”

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Vega used Denver Water’s tuition assistance program to help pay for her master’s degree in human resources management, attending Colorado State University’s online program full time.

She graduated earlier this year, after two years of working during the day and studying nights, weekends and through the summers. 

One of the perks of working for Denver Water is the utility’s help in paying for classes needed to earn an advanced degree or professional certification.

Join people with a passion for water, at denverwater.org/Careers.

Denver Water offers employees $5,250 each year for qualifying degrees or programs, helping them stay at the top of their professions. Some universities elevate that incentive by offering a tuition discount for Denver Water employees. 

Dozens of Denver Water employees participate each year in all sorts of programs, from business administration degrees to plumbing certificates, and Vega said it’s an attractive incentive for potential job applicants. 

Vega said her college lessons, problem-solving applications and rigorous writing assignments have helped her grow into a more experienced and confident HR specialist. 

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She specialized in organizational leadership and change management, helping her better understand the strategic human resources needs of Denver Water so she can take on advanced responsibilities at work. 

“There are so many reasons why people go back to college — pay, career change, growth,” she said. “I wanted to do this for myself and to show my kids it’s possible.”

Learn how Denver Water invests in employees with leadership development programs.

Now she wants to focus on excelling at her role at Denver Water, enjoying a respite from classroom studies. But the hard work was all worth it, she said. 

“People are always saying, ‘Oh well, it’s going to take a long time, or I’ll be this age when I graduate,’” she said. 

“You’re still going to be that age regardless of if you do it or not. So go for it.”