Afsoon Zanjani

What's your job about?

I work in Engineering Construction in the Electrical and Instrumentation division. I have had the opportunity to work on a few different projects in my time here. The project I have spent most my time on is South Flank Inflow, an iron ore processing facility in Coondewanna (an hour from Newman). This project started in 2019 and has now been handed over. The project consisted of 340 tonne ROM bins, conveyors which cover over 20km and crushers which are due to process 80 million tonnes of ore per year. My main role in this project was to assist the engineers and my construction manager. My daily work depends on where I am working from. When I was on site, I focused on tracking progress, technical queries, requisitions and attending walkdowns. In the office, I mainly focus on requisitions, making up work packs and sometimes tendering. I’ve also briefly worked on the Oya Tolgoi project, Gudai Darri and I look forward to working on the Albemarle Lithium project. 

What's your background?

I was born in Isfahan and I moved to Perth in 2003, where I grew up. I love travelling and DIY projects (or DIY ideas. I never actually find the time to start, but a girl can dream). I didn’t know what I wanted to do career wise when I was in high school so I would say my most formative experience was in university when I studied Mechatronics Engineering. I had applied for the Monos vacation program halfway into my degree and I was hired as an Undergraduate Electrical Engineer in December of 2019. I didn’t make it into the program at first but luckily for me, my manager was stacked with work and needed an extra helping hand. I have been working at Monadelphous full time or casually on and off since Dec 2019 (depending on my university commitments).  

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, I think anyone who is interested in construction, problem solving on the fly and learning new skills can adapt to this work environment. This job was mostly all new to me when I started, and I am learning new things every day. There are a variety of big personality styles in the industry, and I have come to find that good communication skills make my job easier and are vital for making lasting connections. I think general knowledge of construction processes, organisation and time management are helpful for this job as-well. I have also valued my Excel skills.

What is the coolest thing about your job and what do you find the hardest?

My favourite thing about this job is being able to see the tangible outcome of the work I do as the project unfolds. The construction industry was out of my comfort zone when I first started (and a little now, I’m still learning) so most of the experiences I have had here are a first for me! Safe to say I experienced a small dose of culture shock in my first 3-week swing, working back-to-back 12 hour shifts with some of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met. However, after you develop a routine (and sleep), the swing flies by. 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

• Start applying for jobs that excite you early in your degree. You don’t have to be in your penultimate year to apply and you’ll become familiar with your options and the application process. 
• Study with your Uni friends. This depends on your friends and whether you can be productive with them, but my friends made such a positive impact on my experience. 
• Join a Uni club as a committee member. If you chose a club that resonates with you, you get to meet likeminded people and gain extra brownie points in your resume and interviews.