In high school I wanted to be a pilot in the Airforce, so a good friend suggested doing an engineering degree first and then going to the Australian Defence Force. I started university at 17 and was away from home. It was difficult. I took some time off and travelled overseas before returning to university…
When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor. But growing up in a Sri Lankan family, becoming an engineer was one of the top professions my mum encouraged me to consider. Looking back, I’m so glad I chose this path because it suits me perfectly, and the work-life balance at Department of Transport…
I vividly remember being in grade 4 and the teacher wheeling out the classroom TV and putting on An Inconvenient Truth starring Al Gore. That 118-minute documentary ignited a spark in me for helping the environment. Growing up I considered many careers – chef, paramedic, graphic designer – but none felt quite right. Clearly, I…
In Grade 11, we had a Scenes of Crime Officer attend our school for a presentation. I thought it was pretty cool, however, I found the Police uniform intimidating and was unsure of myself and how I would/could get from where and who I was to where and who I wanted to be. Between school,…
During the final years of school I wanted to be a financial lawyer. But an honest conversation with my biology teacher about my strengths in math and science opened my eyes to engineering. I looked up engineering courses during the change in preference window and swapped to a double degree of Environmental Engineering and Science…
I am a Site Engineer in Civil Construction. When I was in high school, I was so unsure of what I wanted to do, I circled through about 30 different ‘dream jobs’ but in hindsight none of them were actually my dream. I loved maths and science in school and my mum suggested I should…
My life didn’t follow the exact plan I had envisioned. I dreamt of being a princess, a marine biologist, an actor, even a 3D animator for Pixar. But unexpectedly, I found myself in the realm of fire, where incredible opportunities awaited me. Growing up in a small community in South Africa, I had a hunger…
Throughout school I was always that ‘arts’ student, enjoying music studies and performing arts. I could be found in a musical theatre rehearsal or a music room, loving the challenge of different roles and learning different instruments. All through school, and right up until I joined the fire service in 2016, I worked for a…
I grew up in Central Queensland and had no idea what I would do after school. Never in a million years did I think I would end up working in a Government Information Technology (IT) department! Our department offers some really innovative services for government, in areas of connectivity, security and computer processing just to…
I liaise daily between all different departments (customers, senior management, safety, compliance, planning etc) on the day-to-day Operations and on-going projects to do with the Train Services in North Queensland. You have to be a bit of a “jack” for this role (Jack of all trades).
As a civil engineer within the Built Environment, we’re driven by a passion for urban development and regeneration. We recognise that engineering is at every touchpoint of our lives and so when we practise engineering excellence that has humanity at its heart, we’re creating a positive legacy that will make a difference in the lives…
I grew up in NSW riding horses and playing hockey. I moved to QLD when I was in grade 6 and started going to work with my dad during the school holidays. I studied woodwork & engineering at school as electives. In grade 12 I was offered a position at Gold Coast School of Construction…