Image: After graduating from Civil Engineering at Victoria University, Jeanne Vidal has taken her career international. Image courtesy of Victoria University.
Sponsored editorial piece written by Victoria University, Principal Partner of Engineers Australia, Victoria Division.
Since joining the medical humanitarian aid organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2014, the Victoria University Civil Engineering graduate has worked as a water and sanitation specialist on emergency projects in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Yemen. She’s now on a three month mission in Iraq, managing emergency teams.
“I chose Victoria University because of its great reputation in water engineering and because it’s one of the most culturally diverse institutions in Victoria”, says Jeanne. “I worked with Glen Eira City Council to gain industry experience during my studies, so the University played a part in moulding my technical knowledge for use in the “real” working environment.”
After several years working in mining and construction, Jeanne reframed plans for her future career after seeing the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan in her Philippines homeland.
“I realised I had a passion for humanitarian work after seeing the devastation of Haiyan. At first, I got rejections from many development organisations because I didn’t have any aid background – then MSF hired me as a water and sanitation specialist.”
Like many aid workers, Jeanne has lived in tents with basic living conditions, experienced unstable security, and navigated the cultural and political complexities of liaising with local people and other aid representatives in war-torn countries. Her role is to ensure the MSF-supported local hospitals, refugee camps, or other places she’s posted meet minimum international standards of water, sanitation and hygiene.
Jeanne, who is about to turn 31, says her career is now focused on having a job that aligns with her values and using her professional experience in humanitarian issues.
“My life is really nomadic right now and I am aware that I’m missing out on what many people my age normally do. But the upside is that I’m growing so much personally and professionally.”