Graduate Water Resources Engineer

Why did you choose SMEC?

I started working at SMEC as a 4th year engineering student after responding to an advertisement on our uni notice board. After further reading into the company in preparation for my interview, I soon realised that SMEC had a diverse portfolio of work across Australia and internationally in a range of disciplines. This was perfect for me as a young engineer who wanted to see as many sides of the engineering industry as possible. As an undergraduate, I was surrounded by colleagues and mentors of all experience levels who helped me grow as an engineer, find my passions within the industry and enhance my technical knowledge. This support I was given made me want to continue my career with SMEC when I finished university a year later.

 

What do you enjoy most about your internship/graduate program at SMEC?

6 months into my graduate program, SMEC offered me a secondment in Cooma to work as a Water and Spoil Engineer with Snowy Hydro on the construction of Snowy 2.0. This project is the largest infrastructure project in the southern hemisphere and an invaluable experience for a young engineer like me. I have had a lot of time on-site to see construction processes firsthand, have had experience in project management and have been surrounded by many world-class technical experts. Although I have been seconded, I have still been a part of the SMEC graduate program, where I have been able to travel to different cities for events, meet other graduates from around Australia and be mentored by the more experienced workers within the company.

 

What surprised you about your time at SMEC so far?

Probably the culture – engineering is only one of the things I do at SMEC. There are often after-work activities, lunches, graduate events, mentoring opportunities, networking evenings and sporting competitions – all of which have allowed me to become very good friends with my co-workers.

 

At this stage, where do you think your SMEC story is going to take you?

SMEC has so many different opportunities within both consulting and in global projects that us employees can be involved in. I have no idea what or where my next SMEC adventure will be, but I know it will be exciting.

Talk to as many people as you can – engineering is such a broad field and there are people in SMEC who have had some amazing careers in places and projects you couldn’t imagine. Soak up their stories and advice to help you forge your own path.
———— Neve Sela

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