Early Career CPD: Navigating the workplace as a graduate engineer
You’ve completed your study and now it’s time to start your first role in the engineering sector – how can you showcase everything you’ve learnt from day one? The panellists in this session will share their stories about how they first entered the workforce and provide some tips and tricks to make you feel more comfortable and confident at the start of your professional career.
After the endless applications and interviews for graduate roles, these speakers have all experienced the transition from university to the workforce, and understand the challenges and struggles you may be facing in your own career journey. Hear how they sought guidance and mentoring opportunities through their time in engineering thus far, and how they have been recognised for their achievements since completing the final years of study.
This webinar is part of the early career CPD series, and is relevant to those entering the workforce, beginning a new role, or seeking additional support and recognition beyond their current employment.
The presentation will cover:
• Entering the workforce and skills to help in your success,
• Being part of a team when other colleagues or managers are based elsewhere,
• Entering the Australian workforce from an international basis,
• Seeking out mentoring and managerial support outside of universities and organisations,
• Other opportunities in the industry (such as scholarships or awards)
About the Speakers
Graduate Wind Engineer, WSP
Oliver has just completed his degree in Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) at the University of Newcastle, and he was the recipient of the 2023 Oceanex Energy Scholarship in College of Engineering, Science and Environment.
Graduate Mechanical Engineer - Water Infrastructure , GHD
Alice Y. Zhao is a recent graduate from the University of Melbourne with a Master of Engineering degree in Mechanical with Business specialisation. Employed by GHD, a multinational engineering consulting firm, they are now a Graduate Mechanical Engineer on Water Infrastructure team, undertaking wastewater treatment related projects. Alice has been a keen advocate for disability equity and inclusion, as well as sustainability. They worked as the Disabilities Officer at the student union in their final year at the university and co-founded a Sustainable Design Studio under a sustainability leadership program with their local city council. Alice is now serving the Young Engineers Australia (YEA) on both the Victoria branch committee and the national committee, co-leading initiatives in diversity, inclusion, and sustainability fields. They are looking forward to engaging with peer early career professionals and supporting engineers and engineer-to-be’s from diverse backgrounds.
Process Engineer - Water Team, Arup
Simone joined Arup in February 2022 as a Graduate Process Engineer in the water team after graduating from The University of Melbourne with a Master of Chemical Engineering. Her interests in water and sustainability led her to an industry project at Melbourne Water, and then onto Arup where she has since been involved in various projects in water and wastewater treatment, and increasing investigating water for hydrogen production. She brings curiosity and a drive to solve engineering challenges, especially through collaboration.
