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Beatrice
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Site Engineer (Civil)
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Who do you work for?
Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA)
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What does your job involve?
Site supervision of a contracting company, dealing with everyday site issues and management of minor contracts.
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What do you like most about your job?
Gaining first hand experience on a $270 million road construction project that includes six million cubic metres of earthworks, a tunnel, 54 structures and lots of other interesting engineering elements. I get to spend a lot of time on site and I deal with everyday issues that require quick resolution.
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What are the perks of your job?
By working for the RTA on a regional placement you get substantial financial assistance and regular trips to Sydney. Also, my professional development has been ongoing since leaving uni and I’m currently doing a Diploma in Project Management. I also get to work on site, live near the beach and I am an hour’s drive away from Brisbane – not bad.
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What is the most unusual or fun thing you’ve done in your job?
Our engineering group got to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb in our induction week. I’ve also assisted in the laying of explosives.
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What inspired you to choose a career in this area?
I wanted a career that would constantly challenge me, allow me to work in various places and would be financially secure and rewarding – which it is.
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How did you get to where you are now?
I studied a year of Science at university before changing to engineering. Each year of my civil degree over the Christmas holidays, I did engineering practical work with different companies – a construction company, a local council and a private consulting company. On completing my degree I accepted a job with the RTA on their Graduate Program. It’s a three-year Graduate Program where you rotate your role every six to twelve months. I spent my first six months working in a project management office in Sydney and then got transferred to Northern NSW (Murwillumbah Bypass) to work on a 29km road construction project, which is where I currently am.
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What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
University gives you the ability to learn – once you are in a workplace, that’s when you start to be an engineer. Make the most of the people that are far more experienced than you and learn as much as you can from them. Acknowledge and respect everyone in your workplace.
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What training/qualifications do you have/need?
I studied Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at the University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.
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What subjects did you study at school?
Chemistry, Physics, Maths B & C, English, Modern History and P.E.
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What are your career goals/plans for the future?
I would like to work on another construction site before changing to the consulting side of engineering and perhaps after that gain some overseas experience and have a working holiday before returning to Australia. I would also like to gain my Chartered Professional Engineering status in the near future. You have to be at one of the highest levels in the field to apply to be assessed for a CPEng. A CPEng shows you are a well respected leader in your engineering field. It also shows an ability to practice engineering without direct supervision.
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What career opportunities are there for people in your field?
Numerous career opportunities are available if you are willing to invest some time and effort. A graduate program is often a great way to experience lots of different aspects of a workplace before deciding on where you want to work on a permanent basis.
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What is the average starting salary for a graduate?
$35-45K
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