Careers with STEM: Engineering 2021

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engineering

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grads changing up the bank p10

TERM 3, 2021

LE B U DOISSUE R PS P FO SHI

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graduate ENGINEERING TEAM

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fastest growing engineering careers p6

Join the robot revolution p22 CAREERS with STEM.COM >CREATIVITY >CULTURE < >EDUCATION >WELLBEING+<AUTOMATION >WELLBEING + HEALTH < >SPACE + MANUFACTURING < >BUSINESS< INNOVATION< + GLOBAL PROBLEM SOLVING +< AGRICULTURE

world ready

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LOOK AT AN ENGINEERING DEGREE FROM EVERY ANGLE

Look beyond the choice of over 20 professionally accredited courses, or even the advanced industry-grade engineering labs – some of the best in Australia. Look at the quality of the teaching that’s offered and the level of support you can expect as a student, especially from WA’s top university for undergrad teaching quality and student support. Now look at the possibility of starting your STEM career at ECU and graduating world ready.

APPLY NOW ecuworldready.com .au/e ng i n e e ri ng

ECU ranked 151-175 for Engineering (Times Higher Education 2021)

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FOREWORD carly WEHBE Head of Systems Engineering

Make your own way

th into engineering Carly Wehbe found her own pa along the way and made it better for others

LAUREN TROMPP

I

a what I wanted to do n high school, I had no ide m being an actor! Then when I grew up, apart fro n’t see myself acting at 19, I realised I just could d walked away. I then for the rest of my life an ing and telemarketing for dabbled in floristry, div mpany I was working for tech parts! When the co ort the implementation needed someone to supp ent system, I put my of a new contact managem l into IT. hand up, and literally fel ject after another, From there I did one pro atever came up. Within always saying yes to wh g multi-million-dollar 10 years I was managin on my feet. projects and still learning d working with Managing big projects an . But while my career engineers was my skill set strength, I faced huge moved from strength to being diagnosed with personal challenges after uple of years, and changed cancer. It was a rough co t the work choices I was my way of thinking abou s I growing up to be? making. Who exactly wa work couldn’t just be I decided from then on my it had to be about people. about earning money – alth Bank of Australia I found the Commonwe ough to get a manager (CBA), and was lucky en t culture. I realised that who was passionate abou y for a role putting the there was an opportunit her than just the project emphasis on people, rat manager said go for it! or the product… and my

I’m extremely passionate about investing in the ‘human’ side of engin eering. We need that diversity of thought and to humanise what we’re doing. In 10 years’ time, AI will be able to do ma ny of the core tech roles of today – but it won’t be ab le to do the human side of things.

Engineering is critical to every thing. From the automatic soap dispenser in the bathroom to the app you use for bank ing, every thing involves engineering. And if we don’t get the best people into engineering, we wo n’t get the best solutions.

We need more diversity of thought. Teams with women, for example, thi nk and plan differently.

I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up! My advice is to find something you have an aptitude for and you fee l passionate about, or tha t will add value for you or others. Oh, and you don’t need to be a math genius to get started – just jum p in and give it a shot, you will learn more as you go !

Carly Wehbe Head of Systems Enginee ring, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

eering People at the heart of enthgin an attitude of

wi I went into this new role ople who are skilled pe t tha listening and heard So, s good at leading people. technically aren’t alway at rs de lea a diverse group of over time working with ort pp su a model where we the bank, we landed on ccess of the individual, leaders to invest in the su m and the organisation. which also benefits the tea eering, I create As Head of Systems Engin to enable engineers to frameworks and processes y s through work. Anybod have numerous pathway t bu , gy olo learn the techn can be an engineer and iety we don’t spend soc I have found that as a the more ‘human skills’. enough time investing in g th people, problem-solvin For example, working wi some of the core skills and critical challenge are rn. our engineers need to lea

if we don't get the best people into engineering, we won't get the best solutions” 3

ENGINEERING

CONTENTS

What’s inside?

P22

P6 Top 6 engineering jobs

STEM +wXays=to combine Looking for maths (STEM) with your passion (X)? Start here!

Engineering + …

P14 P8 Innovation

P18

P14 Global

problem-solving P18 Agriculture P22 Automation P24 Health

ring P26 Advanced manufactu P28 Pathways P26

Engineering solves problems

“

It is vitally important to continue the progre ss made on encouraging greater participation in STEM . This participation will increasingly play an important role in ind ustry, in the economy in the way communitie and s shape the future. Th ings such as the micro science and new techn -re cycling ologies my team and I are pioneering to he of our urgent waste an lp so lve some d resources challenge s. Engineering and sc such a vital role in he ience play lping to improve our en vironmental, social an wellbeing.” – Laurea d economic te Professor Veena Sa hajwalla

jwalla is a Professor Veena Saha d inventor who scientist, engineer, anration of green developed a new geneh temperature materials using hig ste. Super transformation of waen!). cool (or hot ev

stem jobs set to boom!

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Insights, information and experiences from careers in design engineering

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design engineer

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Robotics & Automation Engineer Insights, information and advice on STEM careers at the forefront of the robotics revolution

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Space & Defence The Careers with STEM Job Kits are free dowSpecialist nloadable 8-page e-mags whic

h offer a comonplet STEM careersduc in space and defence e intro tion to individual STEM careers. Discover wha t a specific STEM job is all about, meet real people working in that job and find out what you can do right now to set your career on the right path.

CareerswithSTEM.com.au/ product-category/ stem-job-kit/

Discover what it takes to build a career designing, planning and constructing the cities of tomorrow

Insights, information and advice

I AM READY TO SUPPORT TO MOTIVATE TO FIND MY CAREER Leaving school and thinking about next steps?

The YourCareer website has everything you need to support your next steps in training, education and employment.

The tools on YourCareer offer personalised information and advice by matching your skills, interests and goals to careers that may suit you.

You can explore over 1200 occupations listed from A-to-Z, see how much you might earn, learn what a real day on the jobs looks like, understand what kind of job prospects exist in a particular field - and what skills you need to get you there.

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Find up to date, accurate careers information and advice about where the opportunities are now and where they’ll be in the future @yourcareer.gov.au.

You can also access the School Leavers Information Service:

• calling 1800 CAREER (1800 227 337), or

• texting ‘SLIS2020’ to 0429 009 435

ENGINEERING

UPFRONT

t s a f L A E R e r e h w Going some

e up. engineers is increasingly on th for nd ma de e Th ?! ch mu y, rit Job secu test-growing specialisations We’ve rounded up six of the fas t as the world n important innovators, bu bee s ay alw ve ha ers ine ng ont of they’re literally at the forefr recovers from COVID-19, h system, alt he r ou to the economy, m fro – ng thi ery ev g din rebuil fact, in 2021 there building new products. In agricultural practices and dying it at uni than ever, which makes stu are more engineers needed art career move. de school – a seriously sm – or through a TAFE or tra gineering-types ough the thousands of en Stumped on how to sift thr ‘E’ in STEM, we’ve different variations to the ny ma so ith W re? the t ou search. demand job titles worth a inst mo the of six ed list short-

E

#1

Robotics and automation engineer

, build and test robots – or The deal: People who design learning capabilities! And any thing really, with machine . Household helpers (shout nope, not just the Wall-E-types (google “robotic surger y”) out to Siri!), medical lifesavers (self-driving tractors, and agricultural innovations specialists. anyone?) all require robotics omation engineer, the robots The growth: If you’re an aut ke e your job! In fact, they’ll ma (that you’ve built) won’t tak be t’ll tha the programming more of them – what with all needed to maintain them.

#2 Civil engineer

at wearing stereotype! Civil The deal: Forget the hard-h at construction sites all engineers don’t just hang out e and adapt the public day. They design, build, ser vic on – high-capacity roads, infrastructure that we depend s, railways, waste networks, cost-effective transport system pollution control facilities. airports, flood defences and te Outcomes Sur vey report The growth: A recent Gradua ployment outcomes for civil revealed above-average em sting an 88.2% chance of engineers, with graduates boa s post-uni. landing a job just four month

Vacant bs engineering jont s= ra ig m + skilled y! it rs ve di e th A LL son for Yep, the biggest rea in ity increased divers 20 20 ce sin ing en gineer is sk illed labou r migration!

#3 Renewables engineer

#trending

The deal: Renewables engine ers work on creating and imp lementing alternative energy sources such as solar, wind power and green energy tech!

The growth: As alternative energy sources become the done thing in most household installation costs have gone s, down. This, in turn, has helped boost demand for people to work on developing new tec h, as well as inspect, repair and install existing systems.

SHUTTERSTOCK

So, who’s hiring?

In ter ms of the nu mber of advertised job vaca ncies over the past 12 months, civ il en gineers are the most spoilt for choice – fol lowed by mi nin g en gineer s, industrial, mechan ica l and pr oduction en gineers and ICT and support test en gineers.

nrolled e n e 32% medical engineering degrees, in bio engineering disciplines The percentage of wom

much higher than most

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Top 5 engineering related hashtags

1 #worldofengineering 2 #engineeringproblems 3 #engineeringbasics 4 #engineeringmarvel 5 #civilengineer

#4 Environmental engineer The deal: These engineers tes t and operate technologies that correct air and water pollution, clean up contaminated sites, manage land resources, handle cer tain aspects of pub lic health and design sustainable infrastructure.

The growth: Jobs for environ mental engineers are predicted to grow an epic 8.3 % by 2026.

#5 Biomedical engineer The deal: Can’t decide between medicine and engineering? Biomedical engineers are awesome at both, applying their problem-solving skills to design and build devices and equipment used in healthcare and medicine.

Think: bionic limbs, sophisticated prosthetics and hearing implants!

The growth: According to Engineers Australia, there are at least 500 other businesses and startups in the biomedical sector, with demand only set to increase as our population ages and healthcare needs increase.

90.7% Employers overall job satisfac tion level with engineering gr aduates in 2020

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#6

Systems software engineer

engineers The deal: Systems sof tware operating the t tes design, develop and es function. citi our systems within which innovators ds nee The growth: The world engineer), but of e (shout out to every other typ sof tware the it also needs people to create demand for to suppor t their big ideas. The increase by sof tware engineers is set to Cassie Steel 11% in the next few years. –

ENGINEERING

ENG+INNOVATION

+ GLOBAL PROBLEMS + AGRICULTURE + AUTOMATION + HEALTH + ADV MAN

Career changemakers Engineers are the innovators in the workplace, introducing new ideas and products

W

hen you study engineering, you learn a problem-solving approach that’s totally different from the way scientists, marketers or business-minded professionals approach a problem. You learn to challenge what’s established and break big problems down into smaller ones. Wherever you work, as an engineer you are an innovator – disrupting the way things are and creating a better way of doing things.

You’ll be in demand from day one – and work with a mix of people, from those just starting out like you, to the people calling the shots. And it couldn’t be more rewarding! You’ll work in major companies creating new ideas to transform workplace processes, technologies and ideas. – Heather Catchpole

START YOUR CAREER HERE

Engineering+ Innovation study

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation , UTS Bachelor of Design and Technology Innov ation, Flinders University Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Soft ware), University of Adelaide

Engineering+ Innovation jobs

alan finkel

neuroscientist, engin eer and entrepreneur

Software engineer: $57K–$112K Product designer: $51K–$103K Customer service engineer: $41K–$12 4K* *Source: salaries according to payscale. com

Good engineers genuinely believe th ey can create something new and more quickly than, better what’s come before”

r e e in g n e n a e ik l k Thin engineer and entrepreneur Alan Finkel gives rk Neuroscientist, key ways engineers wo e th on ke ta r’s ide us an ins

iety right now?

Why is this important for soc S: Cw the en wh rk eats and unless we can find the way engineers wo n: We face multiple global thr Ala CwS: What is unique about ed. olv res se threats will not be ms to be solved? workable middle ground, the they're approaching proble of art the say y The . ion sat imi is opt Alan: The art of engineering about the key par ts to CwS: What can you tell us , there is no room for me e iev bel but e, mis pro cess’? politics is com there is no the engineering ‘thinking pro the ges or computer chips. And is always a better way. Then, re compromise in building brid the ief is – because it Start with the bel tion n: fec Ala per – e e pos rem pro ext er and it oth e Then analys room for pursuing the genuinely is to articulate the problem. ers p ine ste t eng firs od Go ole w. chp slo Cat r too the simply too expensive and jump to a solution. – Hea quickly a solution. Too many people ething new, better and more som ate cre can y the e iev bel than what’s come before.

0, during which time he led Scientist from 2016 to 202 ief Ch ’s alia str Au s wa He . eur ised the Australian st, engineer and entrepren ategy, and the panel that adv Str gen dro Hy nal tio Alan Finkel is a neuroscienti Na the ent of rket Review, the developm the National Electricity Ma admap.

Ro y log hno Tec s Emission Government on the 2020 Low

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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ENG+CBA

Choose your path

Every stage of your career involves making choices.

We talked to two graduates in the CBA’s Enterprise Services team about the choices that led them there

jess huang software engineer + ios developer

ew Try somethingwannt ed to be a medical

g in year 12, Jess Huan software engineer at a w ) scientist. She’s no nk of Australia (CBA the Commonwealth Ba log y, but realised she ess studied chemistry and bio she thought she would. didn’t like them as much as ineering – “you get to She started thinking about eng rld” – but there was make stuff and change the wo studied physics. just one problem. She hadn’t ards sof tware tow “That’s what pivoted me s a risk, but it paid off!” engineering,” she says. “It wa grad program where Jess is now par t of the CBA’s m on the CommBank she works with the mobile tea I love it here!” app. “It’s really exciting, and s the chance to Working on the app gives Jes elopment and design – combine her passions for dev spare time. she does graphic design in her Jess has also learned m, As par t of the grad progra presentation skills, about career management and says. “which is really valuable,” she

J

ering Bachelor of Engine ng)/Bachelor (Software Engineeri tics), of Science (Mathema y University of Sydne

It’s really exciting, and I love it here!”

Software Engineering Intern, Freelancer.com

Software , Development Intern Amazon Web Services

Gr aduate Software Engineer & iOS Developer, CBA

the big switch

Sam Barker origina stars, but discovered lly wanted to study the that many start out in softwareastronomers engineering

D

uring his degree at Cur tin Un iversity in Per th, Sam did an internship at ID verific ation company Veritas. He enjoyed it so mu ch he stayed on for a year after graduating – but workin g at a small company had some limitations.

“I wanted to learn how it’s all done at scale,” Sam says. His interview for the CB A grad program was his first visit to Sydney. “By the time I moved to Sydney, I’d spent a grand total of sev en days there.”

Sam’s first rotation in the gra d program was in DevOps, where he worked on tools that help other developers build product fea tures. He then moved over to the NetBank team aft er conducting a number of ‘reverse interviews’. “We went to teams and asked, why should we join you?” he says. “It was a bit weird at first, but we got to dig into what each team did.”

Seeing his work out in the wo rld is a highlight for Sam, and he plans to stay with the NetBank team for now.

“My career goal right now is to learn as much as I can.”

LAUREN TROMPP

sam barker software engineer

ds I thought, that sounth do at.” like a great idea. I’ll Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering), Curtin University

Web Developer, Veritas Group

Graduate DevOps Engineer & Software Engineer, CBA

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Software Engineer, CBA

ENGINEERING

ENG+CBA

TEAM UP

Intern Placements Australian Institute of Project Management & ProNexus

intern Placementsal ia Westpac, PwC Austr & MSD Austr alia

Bachelor of Science in IT/Creative Intelligence and Innovation, UTS

ation, Product Sales Activ Google Austr alia

Gr aduate Software Engineer, CBA

on and helps Teamwork is critical to innovati g new engineers make game-changin products for the bank

W

ith seven million custome rs and more than 43,000 employees, it’s cri tical that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is at the forefront of new technology – not just for banking, but also to unde rstand how their technolo gy performs, if there are any pain points in their system s and software, and how eas y it is to use.

ElysÉe Ngftware engineer Jav Vogt

Graduate product ow ner

Represents the needs of th stakeholders and clarifies e internal requirements for the scrumthe team.

know the answer all the TEAM TIP “It’s okay not to the process and time and to revel in the joy of share success stories discovery. It’s important to m implemented a “tips and failings! Recently, our tea ht cool functionality the and tricks” session to highlig d and how we can team has discovered or create efficient engineers.” become more effective and

ering Bachelor of Enginear (Honours) (Softw e), ide University of Adela

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

TEAM TIP “Creating an ope n suppor tive team culture is key to unlocking the full suc cess of the team. If everyone is comfor table sharing ideas and collaborating then challenges can be worked thr ough with ease.”

on Business & Integr atist, Architecture Analy Accenture

10

Gr aduate Systems Engineer, CBA

Gr aduate Product Owner, CBA

Software engineer, CBA

LAUREN TROMPP

nitoring and Creates an automated mos and data ct alert tool for data extra keholders. visualisations for CBA sta

Graduate Product Owner, CBA

tion Systems Bachelor of Informa SW (Co-op) (Honours), UN

Graduate so

Fashion/Graphic/Education studies at UTS/UNSW

Charlie Acar

Graduate engineer ese graduates and Enter the metrics team! Th tract data out of the tools engineers write code to ex b (to store and collaborate CBA uses, including GitHu ploying and testing code) on code), TeamCity (for de final product). and Artifactory (to store the eers and product Together with senior engin s too a l that provides metric managers, they're creating the s to see how teams across and insights for manager e u work as a team, everyon bank perform. “When yo d an er mb me m ,” says tea contributes to the solution ulter. Meet the team and Po y software engineer Tro innovatively together. get their tips on working

Creates a script that colle on Jira (productivity softwcts information plus acts as scrum master. are) tickets,

Switched to Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Business Information Systems, UTS

WHAT I LOVE “I love that as a graduate I’m supported to learn and grow. Coming from a commerce degree I was hesitant to step into an engine ering role as I knew the learning curve would be steep.

I am so happy I decided to go down this path as the challen ge has been rewarding and I’m surrounded by a team that’s hap py to help me on my journey.”

Graduate Agile Analyst, CBA Graduate Engineer, CBA

Michael Madry Software engineer

Works on the initial stage of extracting GitHub datas and enriching with huma resources data mapping.n Also sets up the test environment for storing an d displaying the data.

WHAT I LOVE “One thing I love about my job is the people I get to work with!

The culture of CBA fosters hig hper forming teams who are not afraid to have fun along the way. It’s possible to learn and extend your ski lls beyond your designated role – your job title doesn’t lock you into one fun ction.

Be curious and discover wh at else is out there – you never know what the next opportunity will be.” tion Bachelor of Informa Technology, UTS

Troy Poulter Software Engineer

gineers. ed metrics for software en lat -re ub tH Gi ing ct tra ex on Works ering at uni. Tech have done engine to be a gun engineer or even is so far from the TEAM TIP “You don’t need is so important. Engineering y alit son per t righ the ing ls.” skills are great but hav y types to make the best too ement’. We need all personalit bas the in ys ‘gu of e typ reo ste Intern Placements –l CBA, WiseTech Globa

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Gr aduate software engineer, CBA

Software engineer, CBA

ENGINEERING

ENG+ATLASSIAN

k r o w f o e r u the fut an inclusive team

LAUREN TROMPP

Bachelor of Informa tion Systems, UNSW

internship, Atlassia n & McKinsey

Consultant, McKinsey

Product Manager – Products, AtlassiaNew n

n your perspective is valued withi Welcome to work 2.0, where

rachel lin

alex morgan softwa

product manager

re engineer

I

ously taught that n schools, we’re unconsci the way to get ahead. individual competition is -down workplace that Today, the traditional top ew has been replaced your parents probably kn lues individual with a workspace that va tive work practices. perspectives and collabora . Founded in 2002 Atlassian is a star example nnon-Brookes and Scott

by Aussie grads Mike Ca – focused on the Farquhar, the then-startup bug tracking software project management and e Australia’s most tool Jira – went on to becom l technology company. aspirational and successfu place to work.

It’s also a completely cool d branded team Early on, Atlassian create caps to the hoodie workwear – from baseball pledge 1% of dress. Today, employees can ring through the their time towards voluntee ms can also participate Atlassian Foundation. Tea ckathons called in quarterly innovation ha hour period, these ShipIt. Running over a 24allow teams to create ‘fast and scrappy’ events m quickly by their best ideas and test the ally. pitching the concepts intern and Pat Hwang n rga Mo Rachel Lin, Alex graduate program as are all part of Atlassian’s team. well as ShipIt 50’s winning

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Reward yourself

Their winning idea? An app like Spotify’s end-ofyear Wrapped review, but for Atlassian products.

“The app aggregates data from Atlassian apps to create insights tailored to the individual, showing how much of a team player you really are,” says Rachel, who initially worked as a management consultant after uni and joined Atlassian in 2020 as a Graduate Product Manager, which she says is a “really creative role”.

“I felt like I took a lot of my learning into my own role at team central into the hackathon – it can be very scrappy at the start,” says Rachel.

Pat Hwang, a Product Designer, says he contributed a lot during the project’s ideation phase. “Early in the morning I set up an onboarding whiteboard online using Mural, so we all started on the same page,” he says.

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Software Engineer, Atlassian

Product Designer, Atlassian

ern, Software Engineer eInt Olympic Softwar Ltd

Experience Design Int ern, Deloitte Digital

ng Bachelor of Engineeri (Software), nd University of Auckla

pat hWang

Bachelor of Engineering, UNSW

Bachelor of Design Computing, Univers ity of Sydney

product designer

Being valued for who you ar e

Collaboration is central to working as an Atlassian grad. Rachel say s there’s a “tonne of value we have in terms of fresh eyes, blank canvas and challenging no rms.”

“You get put on exciting projects,” she says.

“My experience so far ha s been on Jira Cloud Services, then I rotated into a new product.

When I started, the produ ct was a blank screen, now it’s in beta tes ting. It’s amazing to be part of that.”

Pat values the diversity of people who work at Atlassian, and says he lov es “the chance to collaborate with other tec h companies from around the world on integr ations with our products. Despite timezone challenges, it’s really cool collaborating, runnin g design workshops and presenting to teams in other countries.”

“Having a team full of div erse backgrounds and life experiences ensu res we are able to think with greater perspective, come up with more creative solutions, and ma ke sure we’re not always designing for the same type of users.”

Engineering the future

Alex Morgan nailed his role at Atlassian before he even left uni. “I particularly enjoyed ShipIt 50 because it gave me an opportunity in a different role. It allowed me to play the role of a feature lead which was really interesting to me.”

“Being a grad at Atlassian means everyone is in the same boat – we’re all fresh out of uni and there’s no judgement when you ask for help!”

TO GET THERE: atlassian.com/students 13

ENGINEERING

ENG+GLOBAL PROBLEMS

+ AGRICULTURE + AUTOMATION + HEALTH + ADV MAN + INNOVATION

Kicking global goals!

From infrastructure to recycling, energy to sustainability, engineers are at the core of solving all the problems of tomorrow and the world knows it

A

s t the 2019 World Engineer was Convention a declaration a clear signed to give engineers making directive on their role in inable sta su global changes for a ble future. The UN Sustaina Gs) aim Development Goals (SD te and to tackle poverty, clima eering skills environment – and engin al and renewable in civil, design, biomedic difference. energ y will make all the ling the love, too.

Locally engineers are fee alian Government In October 2020 the Austr help find ways to forked out $2.47 billion to reduce emissions. lower energ y costs and injection into From this bumper cash has been allocated renewables, $43 million g research. specifically to engineerin

PROBLEM Climate crisis Clean water Food shortages Digital inclusion Healthcare

ENG SOLVING IT Renewable energ y engin eer Civil engineer Agricultural engineer

Cool (smart) threads

Design engineer

Engineers solve so many t problems, they’ve even go their own logo on a tee…

Biomedical engineer

SHUTTERSTOCK

A problem shared...

From solving energy issues by recycling and expanding battery usage, to finding global warming solutions, engineers are all over it.

Tapping into solar? Associate Professor Deepak Dubal, from QUT, reckons the motion of sea waves is a winner. “Whatever we generate and move, we can convert to some kind of energy.”

Good health systems and finding solutions fast is where biomedical engineers step up to the plate (hi COVID-19!), and civil engineers play their part, too. Think: irrigation systems for drinkable H2O. Yep! Engineers are pretty important for a great future. – Pippa Duffy

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

START YOUR CAREER HER E

engineerin problemsg+sglobal tudy Bachelor of Re

newable Ener gy The University Engineering (Honours), of Newcastle Bachelor of M echanical Engi ne Monash Unive ering (Honours), rsity Bachelor of De si Bachelor of En gn (Industrial Design) / gineering (Hon ours), QUT

engineerin problemgs+Jglobal obs Ci

vil engineer: $5 6K–$108K Electrical engi neer: $56K–$ 119K Biomedical en gineer: $52K–$ 91K* *Source: salar ies according to payscale.com

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ENG+QUT

From waste to worth How do you make mining less damaging to the environment? By using clean technologies and recycling every scrap of waste you can

QUT is continuing to increase the authenti city of its courses to provide gr with the knowledge anaduates be competitive in find d skills to ing jobs”

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Do you have any advice for young aspiring innovators in sustainable technologies ?

My plan since high school wa s to become a teacher.

During my second year of und ergrad at QUT, a professor tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would like to do some research with him.

This opened a whole new perspective on where my sci ence degree could take me.

If you are presented with an opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills, tak e it, irrespective of whether it was par t of your orig inal plan. – Ben Skuse

Research Fellow, QUT

What makes QUT a great pla ce for students to learn?

QUT is continuing to increase the authenticity of its courses to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to be competitive in find ing jobs.

We strive to ensure students leave having an appreciation of the professio ns they'll enter, and provide hands-on experience to put theory into practice.

For example, for my Minerals and Mineral Processing unit I have worked with Adroit Programing to integrate a virtual simulation of a min eral processing plant into my teaching, so students can experience what they may encounter on a mine site fro m the safety of their home.

PhD in Industrial Chemistry, QUT

Why have you stayed at QU T throughout your career?

My passion really lies with und ertaking research and teaching that generates tan gible outcomes.

Translating research into com mercial outcomes that benefit the community require s fundamental knowledge to be demonstrated at a num ber of scales. QUT provides a platform to do this .

T

clay for the win

One of Sara’s biggest projec ts sees her teaming up with mining company Lava Blue.

Lava Blue had been mining for sapphires on the North Queen sland clay beds in 2017 when they noticed that the clay, wh ich has no commercial value, contained aluminium oxide.

They came to Sara to see if the aluminium oxide could be extracted from the clay to pro duce high-purity alumina (HP A).

HPA is used to make LEDs and the lithium-ion batter y separators powering smartpho nes and electric cars.

Sara used advanced techno logies and machine learning to prove it could be done, and sustainably. “We are just abo ut to start construction of a mini-pl ant research facility,” she say s.

“And we are aiming to transl ate this into a commercial pla nt that will provide up to 40 job s.” – Ben Skuse

Q&A with Sara Couperthwaite

Bachelor of Appli Science (Chemistry),ed QU

ining is Australia’s biggest sector, making up more than one-tenth of the entire economy. It is also a focus for the public’s growing environmental and climate-change concerns.

People recognise mining is essential, but they also see that it can pollute the air and drinking water, reduce wildlife habitats and permanently scar natural landscapes.

“I believe mining can be made more environmentally sustainable,” says Sara Couperthwaite, of Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Sara’s world-leading research focuses on the waste produced by mining, designing new technologies that reduce this waste or transform it into something useful.

Senior Lecturer, QUT

M

ENGINEERING

ENG+GLOBAL PROBLEMS

s r e v l o s m e l The Prob H

Engineering+clean en ergy

always something elping the environment was the Australian Professor Kylie Catchpole of nted to do.

National University (ANU) wa engineering, Kylie, who also has a PhD in ge of projects to is currently working on a ran uce the cost improve the efficiency and red Solar terials and ma new of solar energy, through perovskite solar devices. “We are working on ial that can be used to cells – a new low-cost mater ar cells,” she explains. make high-performance sol ers? “Just go for it.

Her advice for future engine of different directions It’s an exciting area with lots for opportunities to where it can take you. Look er interests.” combine STEM with your oth

world

1

Professor Kylie Catchpole cell

PhD, Engineering, ANU

En gin eer ing +p ol itic s

Bachelor of Science (Physics), ANU

2

researcher

Postdoctoral fellow, UNSW + AMOLF

Research fellow, ANU

een Faruqi Dr Mehrar ian Parliament

and fter a 25-year career in civil environmental engineering, journey into Dr Mehreen Faruqi says her politics was pretty organic. istan to “I studied engineering in Pak and can n me wo t make the point tha of line any should be free to choose same this is “It study and work,” she says. the to me sense of social justice that led Greens and politics.”

A

@MehreenFaruqi

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering), University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Environmental Engineer, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

Associate Professor, ANU

During her time in parliament , Mehreen has worked on a long list of environmental projects like stormwater reu se and recycling infrastructure, integrated wa ter cycle management, rainforest reh abilitation and action for climate change. He r engineering skills have come in handy thr ough all of it!

“The many complex problems we face today need innovative solutio ns,” Mehreen says. “Engineers and scient ists are trained to be problem-solvers and cre ative thinkers and these skills can be used equ ally in any role.”

Master of Engineering Science, Environmental Management, UNSW Manager Environment and Services, Mosman Council

Professor, ANU

PhD, Water Management, UNSW

Greens MP in the Upper House

3 Dr Eva Cheng

Director of Women in Engineering and IT

ut r Eva Cheng is passionate abo ion pat increasing women’s partici es rse in engineering and IT. Eva ove , connecting ring nto Me y Luc programs like ineering women at UTS studying an eng s. or IT degree with industry pro ers Without ine Eng h She also works wit students ere wh B), Borders Australia (EW ges. llen cha get to address real-world

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D

This year, EWB is working wit h the Centre for Appropriate Technolog y in Cape York, allowing students to learn abo ut designs for Indigenous communities.

Want to combine engineerin g with your passion? Eva suggests interns hips and volunteering. “I volunteered for girls in STEM school outreach activit ies for many years before it became par t of my job.”

Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications Engineering), University of Wollongong Lecturer, RMIT University

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

PhD, Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong

Research Fellow, RMIT University

Senior Lecturer and Director, Women in Engineering and IT Program, UTS

16

Engineering+social ch ange

ing engineering to change the Meet three women in STEM us

ENG+UNI OF NEWCASTLE

Schooling STEM entrepreneurs Move over Elon Musk, Year 8 girls in NSW’s Hunter Region are gearing up to give you some competition

F

seven inspiring our years ago, a group of University of women in STEM from the nterWiSE program Newcastle set up the Hu in their footsteps. to encourage girls to follow omen in STEM and The ‘WiSE’ stands for ‘W 10 weeks, students entrepreneurship’. Over sors (like Transport work with industry spon core, GHD and NSW, Hunter Water, Glen to hatch business NCGI) and uni mentors unities. ideas that help their comm 0 girls have taken 20 n Since 2017, more tha gram co-founders, part, and one of the pro ni, hopes some of them Professor Anna Giacomi ring and STEM degrees. will move on to enginee

Helping the community and tech to help vity Engineering uses creati

d the HunterWiSE improve people’s lives an with some great ways to students have come up , some students from do just that. For example ated an app that dairy-farming families cre tly to buyers to help connected farmers direc . them make better profits r Associate Professor de un -fo co HunterWiSE dents also enjoy working Elena Prieto says the stu rs from the uni, on with their female mento ntors are amazing. a weekly basis. “The me EM students and some Some are undergrad ST Elena says. are studying for a PhD,” up exciting career HunterWiSE helps open students outside the opportunities for female enburgh inner city. – Nadine Cran

STEM Women worki

ng

together Teamwork is a big part of engineering and other STEM ca HunterWiSE founders reers. The – all professors or as sociate professors – a powerhouse of sk ills to share. Picture have d, from left: An na Gia civ il engineering; Erica com ini, Wanless, chemistr y; Re gina Berret ta, computer Elena Prieto, maths/co science; mputer science/educati on; Sarah Joh nson, electr engineering; Juanita Tod ica l d, psycholog y; Karen Bla ckmore, information tec hnology.

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ENGINEERING

ENG+AGRICULTURE

+ AUTOMATION + HEALTH + ADV MAN + INNOVATION + GLOBAL PROBLEMS

t s e v r a h r e e r Ca As farmers adapt to a growing population, water shortages and rising temperatures, engineers are helping them find smarter ways to feed the world

F

tech might not seem to go arm life and cutting-edge increasingly turning to together – but farmers are tellites, sensors and seeing engineers for answers. Sa tiliser and understand how much fer robots are helping them best trees are producing the feed they need, and which t that by 2033, Australian crops. Researchers predic n, and ) will be worth $100 billio agricultural tech (AgTech for ies nit s a lot of opportu create 540,000 jobs. That’ – Nadine Cranenburgh enterprising engineers!

START Y OUR CAR EER HER enginee E Bachelor

ring+Ag ricultu re Stud y

of Engine ering S University cience (Agricultu ra Bachelor of Souther of Engine n Queensl l Engineering), ering (Ho and nours) / B achelor Swinburne Bachelor University of Computer Scien of Mecha ce, tronics En gineering Bachelor , University of Engine ering, (So of Newcas ftware), U tle niversity o f Adelaide

enginee ring+Ag Jobs riculture Robotics en gineer: $5 3K–$138K Agricultu ral engine er: $56K– Project en $84K gineer: $6 1K–$126K Software engineer: $57K–$11 *Source: sa 2K* laries acco rding to pay scale.com

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Did you know...

• Engineers are finding ways to measure how much carbon crops trap in the soil?

• They’ve also discovered an Australian seaweed that can reduce global warmingcausing methane in cow burps by 82%?

• By 2050, global food production needs to rise by 60% as the world’s population grows to nine billion?

• Australian farmers export 70% of their produce to other countries? Go Aussies!

Feed the world, protect the planet Aerospace engineer Dr Anastasia Volkova is combining her passion for food and flight with business know-how to help farmers produce crops that don’t cost the Earth

A

Dr Anastasia Volkova aero space engineer

fter an undergrad degree and Masters in Europe, Anastasia came to Australia to study a PhD in autonomous systems at Sydney University. There, she founded FluroSat to use drones and satellite data to help farmers grow more with less.

This year, FluroSat joined forces with US AgTech startup Dagan to create software models that use satellite and sensing data to accurately measure how different farming practices can help trap more carbon in the soil.

“We are not just embracing productivity. We’re minimising the cost to the planet,” Anastasia said.

(Aerospace), Bachelor of Science ity (Kyiv, Ukraine) rs ive Un ion iat Av l Nationa PhD, University of Sydney

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Engineers can do anything

From the Ukraine to Poland and Sydney to California, Anastasia has had a truly international career. She’s als o raised millions of investment dollars for her business ventures, and is now the CEO of her third startup!

The technical skills Anastasia learned at uni mean she understands what's possible. And her programm ing skills mean she can read code. She says her mum told her an engineerin g degree would give her the skills to do any thing.

“That’s been true in my cas e,” Anastasia says. – Nadine Cra nenburgh

d Astronautical ce, Aeronautical an pa ros (Ae ce ien gy, Poland Sc olo of Master University of Techn Engineering), Warsaw CEO and Founder, CEO and Founder, Regrow, US Flurosat, Sydney

18

ENG+UNI OF ADELAIDE

Piece of cake

Chemical engineering undergrad Lucy Penn a is by-product to make su stainable, nutritioususing a biofuel vegan food fuel made iofuel is a type of renewable it's using plants. One of the ways The !

Yep ds. see rd produced? Musta a pressed biofuel process leaves behind is the focus this and – mustard seed ‘cake’ t Lucy den stu g of chemical engineerin Adelaide. of y rsit Penna’s work at the Unive Lucy's rs, yea Still in her undergraduate the te designing a machine to separa mustardthe of ent pon com protein-rich ordable, seed cake to turn it into an aff redient. nutritious and tasty vegan ing how of le mp exa This is just one can be, g erin ine diverse chemical eng lications app ut abo Lucy says. “We learn gas, and oil in mining and minerals, waste and food and beverage, water rgy.” ene management and renewable ut Lucy says she is excited abo und the opportunities emerging aro

B

lucy penna chemical engineer

biofuels and hopes to one day use her engineering skills to solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

Lucy was inspired by a trip to rural Nepal with Engineers Without Borders Australia where she saw human-centred design and humanitarian engineering in action.

“This experience made me realise I have a lot more to learn in this area, but my ultimate goal is to be able to apply my skills and knowledge in a humanitarian setting,” she says. – Astha Singh

we learn about mining and minerals, food and beverage,,,”

) (Chemical) (Honours elor of Engineering elaide ad of ity Undergr aduate, Barch rs ive un / Bachelo of Science,

Industry-relevant majors Defence Systems Drive improvements

in this multi-billion dollar tech industry.

Medical Technologies Be part of the biomedical engineering and healthcare revolution.

Renewable Energy Create global solutions to the world’s growing energy demands.

Smart Technologies Redefine how we live with the exciting world of machine learning.

Gain specialist knowledge and practical skills with South Australia’s most innovative engineering programs.

At the University of Adelaide we’ve reinvented engineering, offering a range of core disciplines with the opportunity to specialise in a variety of industry-relevant majors and minors. As the only South Australian university ranked in the world’s top 50 for Computer Science and Engineering*,

19

our internationally recognised degrees will prepare you for your future STEM career^. * Academic Ranking of World Universities 2021. ^ Our engineering degrees are internationally recognised and accredited

by Australia’s peak professional body, Engineers Australia (EA).

FIND OUT MORE adelaide.edu.au/degree-finder ENGINEERING

6108

ENGINEERING REINVENTED

ENG+NATIONAL CAREERS INSTITUTE

w o s u o y t a h w Reap Braden Hellmuth has invested in his education for over a decade, building his skills and qualifications and growing a successful career in agriculture time permitted I spent tim e in the shed working on the company machine ry. I could see gaps in my knowledge, and looke d for information sources to learn,” Braden explains. “I decided to undertake an apprenti ceship, and with the assistance of some fantas tic supervisors and mentors, I learned a ran ge of skills which enabled me to become wh o I am today.”

B

first taste raden Hellmuth got his melons of farming picking water in s ay lid during school ho when Bundaberg, Queensland, rk but he was 14. “It was hard wo so I asked rewarding and enjoyable, on weekends if I could keep working Hands-on experience says. throughout the year,” he l, th oo mu sch Br ll at aden enrolled in a Certi he cts en bje su ad br EM ficate III in A big fan of ST r En of ee gin r gin elo eering (Diesel Fitting Tra ch en Ba a for up d ne sig en de) where he says he ad Br gained a lot of practical Queensland – but of ty rsi ive Un the sk at ills ce an d experience.

Scien Today Braden is still em farm during uni ployed at Greensill continued working at the Farming – the same pla er he graduated. ce he picked watermelon holidays and full-time aft s e gre de wh ce en he was in school – bu en sci his ed lov he s say t with a growing crop Braden d fin to y of ilit qu ab alifications to his name, and he’s now head of (“It improved my writing skills”) – but life e en gin som eering, automation and me t gh tau o als tec hnology. information. It skill “A day in my life is alway realised he needed to up s dif fer working on the farm he ent,” he says. ure.

“One day it’s fixing the d for a career in agricult hy dra uli cs to become better qualifie on a machine, the next it’s soldering cir range of exposure to cuit boards, or maybe it’s “I was able to get a broad en wh d a day in the office. That’ ural problems, an s one of the great things machinery and agricult about being in a dynami c industry and business .”

And Braden has never sto pped learning, either.

He has gained a range of industry-relevant licences i learned a range of and is currently enrolled in a Certificate IV in Engineering (Higher Le skills which enabled me to vel Trade in Fluid Powe r) to improve his skills in hy become who I am today” draulics.

“Each day I look for the next opportunity to develop my skills, impro ve the company outcome s and help others,” he say s. – Gemma Chilton

Farmhand, Greensill Farming Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Bachelor of Science, University of Queensland Certificate IV in Engineering (Fluid Power)

20

Certificate III in Engineering (diesel fitting) Head of Engineering, Automation and Technology, Greensill Farming

Think Engineering. Think QUT. As a proud Gangalu woman growing up in Far North Queensland, Taylah Griffin dreamed of heading to the big city to pursue higher education.

At QUT, she soon excelled in her studies, and ultimately graduated with an Honours degree in electrical and aerospace engineering.

During her time at QUT, Taylah completed internships with Qantas and Boeing, experiences that inspired her with a taste of real-world work in her chosen field. She now works on Wedgetail aircraft as a systems engineer for Boeing Defence Australia.

Taylah’s achievments through QUT include being a recipient of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tertiary Student STEM Achievement Award, tutoring other students, working as an industry presenter, and leading as a STEM ambassador. Importantly, this proud, young Indigenous woman is also inspiring other young Indigenous people to study STEM and follow their dreams.

QUT STEM 21 CRICOS No: 00213J

ENGINEERING

ENG+AUTOMATION

+ HEALTH + ADV MAN + INNOVATION + GLOBAL PROBLEMS + AGRICULTURE

The robot e r e h s i n o i t u l o rev er by robots any time soon, ov en tak be n’t wo t tha job a If you want d automation! choose a career in robotics an

START YOUR CARE ER HERE

engineer automationinsgt+u dy Bachelor

of Engineering (Mech atronics), University of Queensla nd Bachelor of Engineer ing (Mechanical Engin eering), University of Wollongon g Bachelor of Robotics and Mechatronics En gineering, Monash University

engineerin

automation jgo+b ere these obots seem to be everywh s Mechanical engineer: ing and $55K–$110K days, from picking, pack Control/Automation ocolate engineer : $59K–$12 loading your favourite ch 6K Robotics engineer: $5 to , see n ca e ey 3K–$138K* the n tha ter fas r ba *Source: salaries accord ing to payscale.com ce of Mars. exploring the alien surfa ll, du is Where there’s a job that ually us it’s , us ero ng dirty or da better to send in a robot. tomation, But with advances in au out even there robots are set to branch , ds un Po has never been further. Dr Pauline nd researcher sla een Qu of ty rsi ive Un a a better time to Australian te professor cia so as and Vice President of the s thi get into robotics" sociation, thinks Robotics & Automation As at wh of a ide r ou g kin hin will eventually mean ret magine work from a task rei ll wi e “W s. ‘work’ mean Luckily for you, right he of supervision,” she says. re, right now is where of labour to being a task n’t wo ing eer the gin en robotics revolution is kic – but king off.

Some jobs will be history “There has never been a ical engineers, electrical be tter time to get into be one of them. Mechan robotics,” says Pauline. An eers and more specialised gin en ter pu com d s, Au eer stralia punches above gin en to its weight in robotics autom all have important roles s eer gin en ics ati on on atr , with innovators ch me using sensors and systems d maintaining robots an ing ild bu g, nin ma sig de de overseas and then play in developing algorithms to make them do useful tas now and into the future. ks.

As a result, Australia is a leading player in mining, infrastructure and agric ultural automation.

The best part? There’s a pla hans lohr ce in robotics for everyone. “I’m thrilled to materials and proces see so many girls and ses young women involved research officer in robotics and automati on,” says Pauline. – Ben Skus e

R

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dr pauline pounds

3D-metal maker Hans Lohr is upcycling factory robots to 3D-print metal parts in a cheaper way

G

rowing up in rural Victoria, Hans Lohr developed a passion for engineering at a young age. Now, he’s at the CSIRO engineering new ways to 3D-print metal.

This ‘additive manufacturing’ involves using an automated robot laser system to build 3D objects layer by layer. He is using existing factory robots like those used on a factory production line. But 3D-printing metals is complex and expensive. ce Engineering, Bachelor of Aerospa Monash University

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Hans works with experts in a range of sciences to understand the challenges in 3D printing with these robots. Then, he uses his coding knowledge to help make 3D printing robots easier and cheaper to use for others.

“I find it really satisfying to click the run button in my program and a complex task is executed flawlessly on its own,” he says. – Ben Skuse Officer Research Projects ses), CSIRO (materials and proces

ENG+ECU

s n robmaonttoic Hookedstudo ok the long route, ent Scott Cash s at ECU Mechatronics d his calling in robotic but eventually foun eer goal in mind, but after cott left school without a car ious industries, he says years of different jobs in var bug'” while working as he “caught the ‘electronics repair store, and set his a technician at a white goods er. sights on becoming an engine to right degree and university the for g kin Scott started loo g. lon t las n’t did t ction, but the hun kickstart his new career dire g erin ine Eng s in Mechatronic He chose a bachelor's degree e of engineering,” he says. lov the “because I’m doing this for brainer. “Not only is Edith And the university was a noto my house, but the Cowan University (ECU) close campus feels like its own atmosphere is excellent, the turers genuinely little community and the lec want everyone to do well.” peted in a In Scott’s first year, he com n and instantly itio team robot-building compet This inspired him became hooked on robotics. s, a student to later help form ECU Robotic in robotics to society for anyone interested rking on robotics learn skills and join teams wo iative and before projects. “ECU loved this init ally throwing we knew it, they were practic robots at us!” Scott says. ree, Scott is Now in the final year of his deg nded to solve working on two projects inte

S

the campus feels like it's own little community” problems in the real world: an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and a robot barista.

“We aim to have a robotic arm side-by-side with a barista making your coffee more efficiently and consistently,” he explains.

Already able to make 250 cups of coffee in four hours, expect to see Scott’s ECU robot barista in your local coffee shop soon!

President, ECU Robotics

Meet your new work colleague: robot Jaguar UGV ECU student Oliver Shaw hopes his final-year project – helping build Jaguar UGV, an off-road robotic vehicle on tank treads – will assist miners, farmers and others working the rugged terrain of Western Australia

Q&A with oliver shaw

CwS: How does ECU support the project?

Oliver: “The robotics labs have many industry-standard robots for learning how basic systems operate, and I have always had great guidance and assistance from the teaching

also links students staff to help me excel. ECU and regularly with many industry contacts es engineering hosts career fairs. This provid ortunity to students with an excellent opp jects pro t network and discuss curren with industry professionals.”

oliver shaw ecu mechatronics engineering student

project?

CwS: What do you do on the is ch ear Oliver: “My area of res onboard electrical integration of the tor systems: UGV’s motors, mo .” controllers and power supply

the robotics labs ha ve many industry-stand ard robots” 23

bachelor of engineering, eCU

CwS: What is your final-year project about?

Oliver: “The UGV project aims to deliver a modular tracked platform that is able to perform a variety of tasks. Currently, there are two versions of the UGV. Mk1 was built by previous student teams and is now being used as a testing platform for the electrical and software components. Mk2 is currently under development and aims to be completed by the end of the year with hopes of marketing and selling to potential clients.”

WORDS BY BEN SKUSE

Bachelor of Engineering, ECU

stem tutor, firetech australia

retail manager

Engineering intern, australian potash limited

Repair technician, Household appliance parts

scott cashman ECU mechatronics engineering student

ENGINEERING

DOCTOR? NO, I’M AN ENGINEER...

There’s a world of opportunity in combining engineering with medicine and health

A

engineering and t first, it might seem like nets. Like, health are on different pla anyone what can machines teach if you’ve it: t ou ab about health? But think ic test, ost gn dia ever needed an X-Ray or limb, c eti sth pro or seen someone with a alth he d an ring then you’ve seen enginee working together.

Jiao Jiao Li

Biomedical Engineer

STEM star

Engineering and health might not be an obvious pairin but they're a match mad g e in stem heaven!

REER HERE START YOUR CA

ealtouhrs)S/ tudy H + g in r e e in g n E ring (Hon Bachelor of Enginee of Sydney

University (Medical Science), Newcastle Bachelor of Science ours), University of al Engineering (Hon Bachelor of Medic / ring (Honours) Bachelor of Enginee e and Innovation, UTS nc ige ell Int e tiv ea Cr Bachelor of ring (Honours) / Bachelor of Enginee gineering, UNSW En al dic me Master of Bio

Heal–$t91hK Jobs EngineBioemerdicinalgen+ gineer: $52K SHUTTERSTOCK

107K Prosthetist: $49K–$ t: $58K–$90K tis ien sc nt Product developme $67K–$149K* lopment manager: Research and deve .com cording to payscale *Source: salaries ac

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

24

ineering, PhD, Biomedical Eng y University of Sydne

Let's hear it for the girls

JJ is ambitious, driven an d incredibly passionate about the work she does in research, plus her role as a lecturer and he r involvement with school outreach programs across the state.

She really enjoys talkin g to students about finding their spark, to tak e on new challenges, and in particular uplifting Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CA LD) girls who are passionate about STEM .

JJ wants CA LD girls to kn ow it’s OK to push back against barriers an d that they can be powerhouses in their fie lds. She’s a shining example that you can! – Hannah Diviney

al Engineering/ Bachelor of Biomedic rsity of Sydney ive Un ce, Medical Scien

field of Often referred to as the or Medical g Biomedical Engineerin coolest, fastestScience, this is one of the thways in the world growing, cutting-edge pa ek Australia in 2019 of STEM. Research by Se wth in the field over predicted a 30.3% job gro the next five years. medical engineer Dr Jiao Jiao Li (JJ), is a bio rsity of Technolog y and lecturer at the Unive a 2021-22 Superstar Sydney (UTS). She’s also estigator at the ARC of STEM and a chief inv vative BioEngineering.

Training Centre for Inno efront of regenerative JJ’s research is at the for ibes as a combo of medicine which she descr d medicine. Specifically, engineering, science an ls (cells that can JJ is interested in stem cel kind of cells) and go on to form any other nefit the 500 million manipulating them to be e with osteoarthritis. people worldwide who liv

al Lecturer in Biomedic Engineering, UTS

+ ADV MAN + INNOVATION + GLOBAL PROBLEMS + AGRICULTURE + AUTOMATION

r Fellow, NHMRC Early Careers ive ity of Sydney Kolling Institute, Un

ENG+HEALTH

ENG+HEALTH

5

ways engineers are battling COVID-19

From 3D-printed door openers to medical robots, engineers around the world are finding creative ways to fight the spread of COVID-19

ers, and they’re all here are many types of engine repurposing something problem-solvers. Whether it’s , engineers have been old or inventing something new during the global pandemic. working hard to keep us safe

T

#2

#1

Area: Materials muthu vellayappan science and postgraduate student engineering What: Creating a 3D-p rinted tool to open doors and push buttons

gineering Area: Mechatronic en check to What: Using robots ms for COVID-19 sympto s in India

Touching sur faces is someth ing to be avoided in our new COVID-19-normal world. Eng ineering student at Monash University in Melbourne Mu thu Vellayappan has created a plastic “safety key” to help keep hands clean. It has gro oves to lock on to L- and U-shaped doo r handles and a bump per fec t for punching buttons at ped estrian crossings and in lifts.

ento Robotic Mechatronic engineers at Inv measure a patient’s built a talking robot which can ptoms and video link to temperature, ask about sym chest. Mitra was meant doctors through a tablet on its but has easily adapted to to help out in nursing homes, ls and offices.

COVID-19 screening in hospita

#4

#3

neering Area: Biomedical engion a chip” to What: Using a “lung ent COVID-19 test drugs and prev used an artificial

in the US A team at Harvard University show that an antimalarial lung the size of a USB stick to VID-19. They also designed drug may also help prevent CO virus which causes a pseudovirus that mimics the safely used for research in COVID-19. This virus can be to study dangerous diseases. laboratories that aren’t set up

Area: Chemical engineering What: Designing a heated face mask to slow and deactivate COVID-19

#5 Area: Optoelectronic engineering What: Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to detect people with high temperatures in crowds Not all COVID-19 patients have fevers, but a quick and reliable way to find people with high temperatures in crowded airports and hospitals could help keep others safe.

In Scotland, engineers from Thales are testing a system that teams AI with thermal imaging. The system uses an app and webcams to scan people’s faces for temperature, and machine learning to improve as it gathers data. – Nadine Cranenburgh

25

SHUTTERSTOCK

Face masks have helped kee p COVID-19 in check, and che mical engineers at MIT in the US wa nt to take them to a new level. They’ve prototyped a batter y-powered, reusable mask with a heated copper mesh wrappe d in insulating fabric. The heating system is designed to slow and dea ctivate COVID-19 in the air breathed in and out by the mask’s wearer.

ENGINEERING

ENG+ADV MAN

+ INNOVATION + GLOBAL PROBLEMS + AGRICULTURE + AUTOMATION + HEALTH

! e r u t u f e h t f o s l Materia @williamsracingproducts

Engineers play a huge role in creating new and improved materials for everything from sports to the green economy

START YOU R CAREER HERE

I

illiams always n high school, Michael W d physics thought about maths an mad love his concepts in relation to passion his w, for BMX bike racing. No ly a’s on niche has led to one of Australi businesses for specialist manufacturing , Williams Racing high-quality bicycle parts is founded on Products. “My business riders and for making custom parts to think try to encourage the indus outside the box,” he says.

Engineerin Manufact g+Advanced uring Stu Bachelor of M echa dy

nical Engi University of Ne neering (Honours), wcastle Bachelor of En gineering (Hon ou rs) (Chem Queensland Un iversity of Tech ical Process), nology Cert II in Engi neering Path ways, Various suppliers

Engineerin Manufactg+Advanced uring Jobs Process engi neer: $61K–$ 121K Design engine er: $57K–$10 3K Mechanical en gineer: $55K –$110K* *Soure: salarie s according to Payscale

michael williams mechanical engineer

Business is booming

What is advanced manufacturing?

Michael’s business is part of a boom in advanced manufacturing based on need rather than mass production. Advanced manufacturing is a big growth area.

Manufacturers employ 900,000 Australians, invest $4 billion in research and development, and contribute $100 billion to the economy. And, engineers are have a job to do at every stage, from the design cycle to the end product.

Michael’s business stemmed from an idea for a new type of bike clutch that came to him in his final year of a Engineering (Mechanical/Civil) degree at Deakin University in Geelong. With help from his mentor, Associate Professor Paul Collins, he got in touch with Spark Deakin, the university’s business accelerator program, won a scholarship and founded his business in 2017.

Think 3D printing, nanotechnology, advanced materials and biotechnology. Examples include 3D-printed medical implants, nano (super small) sensors that can detect contaminants in food, breeding pest-resistant plants, or creating layered composites like carbon fibres to create lightweight bikes and planes.

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/Civil), Deakin University

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

skills for life

facturing “We use different manu the part techniques depending on ael. we’re making,” says Mich is really lds fie EM “Studying ST cause be l oo sch important in high ther he W . up s of the scope it open t, no or a are you work in a STEM th ad bre d having the knowledge an ” nt. rta po of those skills is really im – Heather Catchpole

Check out the Careers with STEM Job Kits for the lowdown on these awesome careers!

Casual Academic Teacher, School of Engineering, Deakin University

Senior Engineer and Project Manager, VicRoads

26

Founder, Williams Racing Products

ENG+ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

Meet the manager ANSTO’s Engineering Su pport

Workshop Mana Bianca Shepherd over sees the manufactur ger ing parts for Australia’s only nuclear reacto of r t to reality is an eeing ideas go from concep -to-day at ANSTO. exciting par t of Bianca’s day workshop manager, As the engineering suppor t ion of the workshop Bianca manages the operat ments are met. This uire facility to make sure all req ering teams to includes working with engine oming projects, understand the scope of upc ources needed for organising materials and res , and sometimes even manufacturing, quality checks ts onsite. installing and maintaining par nufacture of ma the es Bianca also overse AL multi-purpose reactor, specialised par ts for the OP ine for half a million which makes nuclear medic Australians each year. ure are bespoke and “The items that we manufact the shelf,” says Bianca. not able to be purchased off keys to ensuring the work “Safety and quality are the the client is after.” we produce is exactly what

S

You need to have resilience and grit” An engineering mindset

Bianca started her STEM jou rney as an electrical engineering cadet at BHP and says her engineering background ensures that saf ety is always a priority.

Skills in troubleshooting and analysing problems have been really helpful too, and having a pragmatic, methodical approach has wo rked well for her.

Keen to get into engineering?

Bianca says you should follow the path you wa nt to take. “Your career is going to be a journey, there are going to be things that you do that you will abs olutely thrive at and others that are going to test your mettle.”

She also urges you to believ e in yourself and to find a mentor. “You need to have resilience and grit.

I found that having someone to bounce ideas off and discuss concepts with was a valuable key to success.

It doesn’t need to be a forma l relationship to still add value to your development.”

– Louise Meers

Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering, TAFE NSW

Bachelor of Arts (Management & Psychology), University of Wollongong

Human Resources Development Officer, BHP Steel

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Engineering Support Workshop Manager, ANSTO

ENGINEERING

PATHWAYS

g in r e e in g n e o t in Get e ring careers whatever your ag ee gin en e om es aw o int s th pa There are JosÉ Lahoz-Monfort system design engineer

Year 7/8

Jump into workshops, camps, hackathons or school holiday activities: Re-engineering Foundation rea.org.au One million students who have taken part in these cool engineering programs can’t be wrong!

helen cartledge materials engineer

Techgirls Movement Foundation techgirlsmovement.org Team up with your friends to manage a tech project from start to finish!

Power of Engineering powerofengineering.org Resources and events that introduce you to the awesomeness of engineering.

Genevieve De Michele civil & construction engineer

Year 9/10

ineering Get specific job info on eng STEM Job h wit rs careers in the Caree Kits: bit.ly/CwSTEMJK ineer • Robotics & Automation Eng • Space & Defence Specialist • Design Engineer • Process Engineer Design • Construction and Project

ths you’re Enrol in the highest level ma s, and also sic phy s comfor table with, plu design, like e choose subjects you lov never know you – y histor y, fashion or biolog ! you where engineering can take

SHUTTERSTOCK

At uni

You can choose to study pos tgraduate courses, or jump into work – most unis include an internship as par t of your engineering degree.

You could also do Engineers Australia’s 18-month grad program to get a head start into a career: bit.ly/EAgrad

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Plus check out these cool role models online!

•H elen Car tledge volunteers Nguyen in the STEM space at school sysHuy tems engineer s and was recognised as the 201 9 Professional Engineer of the Year.

• J osé Lahoz-Monfort is usi ng engineering know-how to track wildlife for conser vation.

•H uy Nguyen is helping to imp rove lives and wellbeing using his skills and qualifications in systems engineering.

•G enevieve De Michele is a civ il and construction engineer who lov es seeing her work in the real world eve ryday.

Careers with STEM: Engineering+Apprenticeships 2021 is a publication and trademark of Refraction Media. Copyright © 2021 Refraction Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. If you would like to reproduce anything from this magazine, email: info@refractionmedia.com.au.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

This issue went to press on 12 July 2021.

Printed in Australia by IVE.

Year 11/12

Good luck with study! Check out our essential tips to choosing your study pathway: bit.ly/CwSTEMstudy Plus look out for uni open days and information around engineering degrees.

You can also find vocational pathways into engineering including certificates and diplomas – check out P8 in our flip section for more info or search on studiesinaustralia.com.

Cover image: Lauren Trompp Produced and published by: Refraction Media Co-founder, CEO & Publisher: Karen Taylor-Brown Co-founder, CEO & Head of Content: Heather Catchpole Managing Editor: Astha Singh / Gemma Chilton Digital Editor: Cassie Steel Production Editor: Louise Meers Deputy Editor: Pippa Duffy

Here’s a few major courses we’re excited about: • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Aerospace), QUT • Bachelor of Engineering (Adv Manufacturing and Mechatronics) (Honours), RMIT • Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Energy) Honours, ECU • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural and Structural), University of Adelaide • Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours), University of Newcastle

Flip over for APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINEESHIPS 28

Art Director: Katherine Power Writers: Astha Singh, Ben Skuse, Cassie Steel, Chloe Walker, Gemma Chilton, Hannah Diviney, Heather Catchpole, Louise Meers, Nadine Cranenburgh, Pippa Duffy

SUBSCRIBE AND ORDER COPIES: CareerswithSTEM.com/subscribe EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Email: info@refractionmedia.com.au or +612 9188 5459 POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 38, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Sydney, Australia CareerswithSTEM.com ISSN 2209-1076