What is it like to be a Graduate Environmental Engineer?

Andrew - Graduate Environmental Engineer

Andrew - fourth year Graduate Environmental Engineer

"Within my first 18 months I managed the replacement of the major distribution pipeline for a town in the South-West, working with some great people to overcome the seemingly endless rain and steep clay slopes.

In 2007, I moved into the role of site engineer on the upgrade of a South-West dam. It was a great experience to see how major earthworks projects progress and adapt to changing conditions: how do you replace a dam wall, when it keeps filling up? I learnt a great deal as the best minds found an ingenious way to deconstruct the wall in a staged approach; enabling us to undertake the upgrade without losing the water, or the wall. It was an exciting project and an excellent opportunity to learn about rock blasting, geotechnical stability assessments and the rigours of managing a major contract.

Since returning to Perth, I have been fortunate to act in a role engaging with some of our major business customers. For a traditional engineer, the opportunity to liaise with major customers has provided me with a valuable insight into maintaining strong business relationships. Now, as we near the start of 2010, I'm heading off to work in the North-West: planning for a huge increase in demand for our critical water and wastewater services. The real bonus: time to explore the magnificent landscapes and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, because we are part of the community in which we work.

Working for the Water Corporation gives you the chance to pursue a career in an exciting and enduring profession, and it also gives you the scope to broaden your skills in business management, research and development. Water and wastewater engineering is not only a forever business, it is a chance to work anywhere."


Stefan - recent Graduate Environmental-Civil Engineer, now Project Manager

Stefan - recent Graduate Environmental-Civil Engineer, now Project Manager

"My background is Environmental and Civil engineering, both with a heavy focus on water, in addition to classical engineering. I spent two years in the United States working in snow research before I joined the Water Corporation in 2006.

The Graduate Development Program encourages graduates to make three rotations to different positions at the Water Corporation in the first three years. I spent one year in infrastructure planning, where I reviewed and improved the wastewater conveyance systems of Karratha and Dunsborough. I applied traditional engineering skills in recommending pressurised pipe design, tank sizes and pump specifications. I also performed sustainability analyses to help decide which planning option (out of several different ones) would be the best for Dunsborough. This is a valuable tool that puts the principles of sustainability into practice alongside engineering solutions.

My next position was a scheme operations engineer. I was in the team that plans the operation of Perth's dams and groundwater on a daily and weekly basis. Perth's water supply network is incredibly interconnected and complicated to manage. My area of focus was groundwater abstraction, and it was essential to collaborate with other engineers, scientists and operators to find the best way to provide Perth with water. I also operated the water supply from the Water Corporation's central control room and I have been involved in emergency responses to any incidents. This position enhanced my confidence with decision-making and taking on new responsibilities as a system manager.

My current and last graduate position is a project manager, where I manage a number of projects to upgrade pump stations, tanks and dam intake towers across the state. With no project management experience, being thrown in at the deep end has been a steep learning curve so far. I have learned a lot, and despite the high stress and pressure that I often deal with, project management has proven to be extremely valuable in terms of personal development and career progression. I think all graduate engineers should have some experience in this area because it allows them to manage entire projects, deal with contractors, learn about budgets, negotiation and time management, and take charge of a process that leads to visible results when it is finished.

As I have made my way through the graduate program, I have realised the importance of training. The Water Corporation is very supportive of its young engineers and it has provided me with training opportunities useful to my job and also professional development. Graduates who are interested in being leaders of the future are able to take on extra courses and gain qualifications through programs supported by the Water Corporation."


Jacinta - Graduate Environmental Engineer, now Process Engineer

Jacinta -Graduate Environmental Engineer, now Process Engineer.

"My first role with the Water Corporation was as a Conveyances Engineer in Bunbury. The job was very diverse, covering Drinking Water and Wastewater Conveyance, as well as Agricultural Drainage. My responsibilities gave me the opportunity to deal with many groups of people within the Corporation, right from planning and management, all the way through to the operators of our systems who are out on the ground doing the hands-on work. I also dealt directly with local shires, catchment groups and customers.

I then moved to a position in Perth as a Design Manager. I was responsible for managing external consultants who were doing water treatment design work for the Water Corporation. I was responsible for making sure the final product was in line with all relevant standards, and that all stakeholders were consulted and accepted the design. This was very interesting work, and required not only technical awareness, but skills in stakeholder management. Working as a Design Manager really whetted my appetite for hands-on design and construction.

I am now working in the Process Team for the Southern Seawater Alliance (an Alliance with the Water Corporation for the design, construction and operation of the next major desalination plant in WA), and I am absolutely loving it. In addition to my process role, I am also making sure that the security for the plant is up to Water Corporation’s standards. By the end of the project, I will have worked in design, construction and commissioning roles for a huge and important project that I really believe in. I am so thrilled to have been given such an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!"