Event Summary
Are you studying for a job in engineering or already early in your career?
Company internships and recruiting drives from big firms are all well and good but have you considered how to navigate your career opportunities once you are out on your own?
We invite you to join us for Careers in Construction and Engineering to hear from three young engineers who’ll share what went right, what went wrong and what went side-ways as they forged out a career in the real-world. This event will appeal to anyone curious about what happens outside the cosy safety-net of university.
Tickets are free but registration is essential.
Presenters
Charlotte Hodge (Aurecon)
About Me
Hi, I’m Charlotte. I’m originally from Regional Victoria but relocated to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Monash University and Graduated at the end of 2022. During my university degree I undertook part time work at a local structural engineering firm to develop practical experience, before landing a position in Aurecon's Internship Program in the Bridges and Civil Structures Team. After the completion of my degree, I then transitioned into a full-time position as a graduate at Aurecon within the same team.
My Share: Engineering Consultancy Graduate Journey
In my presentation I’ll provide an overview of my experience as a graduate within an engineering consultancy firm – Aurecon – working within the Bridges and Civil Structures team. I will explain the role of an engineering consultancy, focusing on its importance in providing technical expertise, project management, and solutions for complex infrastructure projects. Drawing on real-life examples, I’ll share insights into the responsibilities of a graduate engineer, the skills required to succeed and the opportunities available. I’ll also offer some practical advice for future graduates on making the most of these opportunities in this dynamic and rewarding career path.
Luke Valente (Curvecrete)
About Me
Hi, I'm Luke Valente. I'm an Architectural Engineering Graduate from Swinburne University. My degree focused on modelling, creating sustainable, liveable buildings, and research into the viability of different mix designs of geopolymer. My personal hobbies included animation and coding.
After my studies I expected to land an internship though Swinburne's professional program, but it just didn’t happen. I had to my own internship. So, I reached out to my teacher and shared my struggles and he offered to take me under his wing and provide me with an internship at his startup, Curvecrete.
Now, I’m their full-time Product Development Engineer, where I am able to use my skills and knowledge in various roles such as developing a geopolymer mix design, designing reusable moulds and creating animations to show them off!
in the ‘real’ world, I discovered an aspect of design I wasn’t taught at university – how a design ends up colliding with reality! I will share this journey with you all and show how six months of shovelling sand into buckets and operating mixers ended up.
My Share: Designing for Reality and the Reality of Design
The process from graduating from university to being part of the workforce can a daunting one. It is full of unknowns. Having experienced this myself, and working full time for 18 months, I'll be sharing what I've learned on my journey.
During my time at Curvecrete, I’ve worked with almost all aspects that go towards making a product. Here’s a snapshot –
· product concept
· visualisation/animation for presentation
· design and creating technical specifications
· consulting on engineering; and
· developing manufacturing processes (including low carbon concrete), all the while being physically active in the mass production process.
In my presentation I’ll cover my transition from student to working full time, and the process of landing the job. I'll share what university prepared me for and, more importantly, what it didn’t! I will also be exposing the issues currently being faced by the construction industry that I’ve experienced first-hand, and how you can be part of the solution.
By the end of this presentation, by recounting my personal journey in this profession, I hope to reassure you of your place in this industry’s future and help you develop resilience for the challenges you’ll face and the skills to overcome them.
Sarah Osang (ARUP)
About Me
Hey, I’m Sarah, a materials engineering consultant focused on improving the sustainability of buildings and infrastructure. I recently graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Materials Engineering (Honours) and am now working with ARUP, an engineering consultancy.
While searching for the type of work which would best suit me, I dabbled with many different career directions – materials research, sustainability consulting, biomedical work, building design, research into energy transition technologies and now materials consultancy. I am excited to share more about this journey and what I have learnt along the way.
My Share: Transitioning into your early career; tips, tricks and insights
I will share the tips and tricks I have learnt from my time as a student, intern and now graduate. There are many things I wished I’d known earlier, from advice on steering your early career, to getting the most from the fun and interesting opportunities on offer. I will also speak about what my experience has been as a graduate at ARUP, alongside insights from other early career professionals in the industry.
Satyajit Datar (Aurecon)
About Me
I’m Satyajit. I’m a technical director at Aurecon. I have over 40 years’ experience in structural engineering, in transport and water infrastructure, industrial plants, commercial and residential buildings, sports facilities and the built environment, in Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Malaysia. I’m also a CIA Victorian branch committee member since 2019.
My share: Why it has never been a better time in history to be an engineer than today!
The world faces massive challenges that present fascinating opportunities for engineers - climate change adaptation, urbanisation, infrastructure for housing, water, sanitation, energy and transport and post-conflict reconstruction are just some of the areas where engineers are valued and needed to develop solutions.
Add to this the rapid advances in technology such as advanced computer analysis, parametric modelling, digital modelling and better workplace cultures due to awareness of psychological safety, diversity and inclusion and you have a fascinating and productive environment for engineers today and into the future. In this presentation, I highlight some of the career paths you may or may not have considered for your future.
