Brief Progress Update

I've done some research, and a few of the topmost activities I've identified among youth are the following:

1. Web 2.0 technology - including interactivity on websites, smart phone applications, and social networking
2. Social networking (related to web 2.0) - facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc.
3. Word of mouth - government sponsored community fairs, talking with industry professionals, socializing with friends and family.
4. Reading - print media

So the ultimate question would be: How would we approach this problem in order to identify a solution? I believe a sub-problem to this would be what kind of marketing tactics we could use, as this correlates directly with design and visual communication.

I believe that there's plenty of marketing tactics involved with information technology. Unfortunately, I've never taken marketing classes. But there are some people I could talk to who are more knowledgeable about that and can help me in my research - one of whom would be a communications specialist in the area of visual outreach and is one of my panel experts.

Another sub-problem (besides the design/marketing aspect of it) I've also discussed previously with SFPUC is, what kind of content should be included in our deliverables that would not only inform the youth about jobs in the water industry, but engage them to take initiative to learn more information and be proactive in their search for such jobs? Other questions include: What jobs would attract them in general? High wages, sense of purpose in their work, many benefits? With that in consideration, what then would attract them to jobs specifically in the water industry? Would emphasizing the importance of being involved in "being green" and contributing to preservation efforts of the environment help? What kinds of stereotypes, preconceived notions, or misconceptions do students have about the water industry?

This is the bulk of my research at this point, and with the results of my survey, I should have clearer idea and more statistics to work with.