What's your job about?
I’m working on-site in Darwin at UGL’s CH2M’s Combined Cycle Power Plant. I’m ensuring that all the electrical systems in functioning correctly on the project. More specifically, I’m working as part of electrical division in the commissioning team. The commissioning team ensures that all mechanical and electrical systems are in safe and operational order before their final handover to the client. Last week I was calculating whether a world-class mechanical oil flushing system would have the correct power requirements to operate in the field on a temporary power supply. It’s amazing to be part of the largest construction project in the Southern Hemisphere!
What's your background?
I grew up and went to school in Northern Sydney after which I took a gap year working as a teacher assistant and sports coach at the Loreto School in Edinburgh, Scotland. I graduated in BE with a major in Electronics Engineering at Macquarie University within four years. My grandfather was an electrical engineer and I’m happy to be following in his footsteps. I am an avid rugby player and recently returned from a year abroad in Stockholm. I’ve gained engineering experience at Optus headquarters and CSIRO Marsfield as well as one year of on-site construction experience. Volunteering for six weeks teaching English to school children in the jungles of Borneo also allowed me to develop a giving and more ‘community-minded’ approach.
I gained this position by putting my best foot forward with my application as I knew this would be a brilliant opportunity. I’ve been with UGL for a little over two months now.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely! Any engineer with a passion for things electrical/electronic could do my job.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Putting knowledge into practice on-site and in the field is the best part of my job. I love knowing that we are getting closer to completing the project as a whole which will provide power and resources to Australia. As a graduate engineer, I couldn’t dream of a better place to start a career in Australia.
What are the limitations of your job?
The biggest limitation is working a FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) roster which means that you aren’t able to spend as much time with friends and family back home. However, FIFO also presents other wonderful opportunities like the ability to see the Northern Territory and gain strong on-site engineering experience.
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