What is your job all about?
I work for the Engineering Construction Division working on construction projects in mining, oil and gas and water infrastructure across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. More recently, I have been seconded to our Maintenance and Industrial Services Division working on projects in Papua New Guinea.
My job varies depending on whether I’m in the office or on site. Office days generally involve a lot of planning and preparation as part of project set up or closing out documentation to finalise a project. Site days can include anything from completing quality inspections, managing subcontractors, progress updates, schedule reviews, HSE audits, writing construction work packs, procuring materials, client meetings, not to mention solving any engineering issues that pop up during a days construction – you can squeeze a lot into 12 hours! Ultimately, it’s about being prepared for the upcoming construction activities and adapting should any issues occur, this is where my engineering judgement comes into play.
I also enjoy getting to work with various trades from boilermakers, to concreters, pipe fitters, surveyors, electricians, operators – as a Project Engineer it’s part of your job to interact and work with everyone delivering the project.
What's your background?
The early years of my life were spent in regional Queensland before moving to Brisbane at age five. I attended high school at San Sisto College and somewhere along the way I realised that I love problem solving and always asking the question ‘why?’, which made me pursue engineering as a career.
I enjoyed studying Civil and Environmental Engineering at QUT because it gave me a lot of opportunities to travel while studying. I completed a short-term exchange in Kassel (Germany), a semester exchange at Politecnico di Milano in Milan (Italy), worked at Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation in Samos (Greece) and travelled to Fiji to complete my thesis research.
My first engineering role was as an intern with a local Council. This experience made me realise that I enjoyed being on site and that engineering didn’t have to mean being stuck behind a computer or in a lab every day. This was followed by completing the Monadelphous’ Vacation Program over the summer of 2018/19. I learnt a lot about how much work goes into construction, that FIFO is a big adventure and that being a Contractor means you get to be involved in all the action. I had plans of becoming an Environmental Engineer upon Graduation, but it turns out I loved the world of construction and contracting so here I am doing the Grad Program at Monadelphous!
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Most definitely yes! If you’re motivated, passionate and committed then there’s no reason you can’t do this job. Anyone with a different background diversifies the team and brings a whole other set of life experiences to the table; a win-win situation for everyone involved. As far as I’m concerned, any of the ‘technical’ engineering knowledge can be learnt and acquired; the important skills for the role are transferrable including communication, management, teamwork and problem solving.
What is the best thing about your job and what do you find the hardest?
The best thing about my job is that every challenge overcome is represented by progress in the field. It is extremely rewarding to walk around site and see your hard work come to life. I also love that the title ‘Project Engineer’ doesn’t limit me to any specific area. I get to be involved in all disciplines whether it be Civil, Electrical or SMP (structural, mechanical, piping).
FIFO can be tiring working long hours seven days a week and it means missing out on your ‘normal’ life at home, however you’re also surrounded by a great group of colleagues who end up becoming your site family.
What are three pieces of advice you would give yourself when you were a student?