Top engineering firm Aurecon has partnered with University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT) Internship Program to tap into the talent of over 800 UTS undergraduates seeking industry placements each year.
Aurecon Diversity and Inclusion Manager Abbie Wright said that their most recent intern through this partnership, Gabriel Samaniego, reinforced the value of interns for their company as an employer of engineers.
“It has proven to be a valuable resource for acquiring young, innovative and diverse talent,” Ms Wright said.
Mr Samaniego (20), now in his third year of a five-year Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree, observed the completion of tender documents from initial release to award of contract through to Aurecon's hire of contractors to fulfil specific site roles and tasks.
Mr Samaniego said that the primary benefits of FEIT’s unique six-month industry placement with Aurecon are the depth of understanding it gives into operations and the many authentic opportunities it provides to apply university learning.
"I was assigned to the water team on a project in the Hills district of Sydney, looking for data from multiple sources,” Mr Samaniego said. “This involved desk research for council maps, population databases and information relating to drainage works and flood histories.
“Everyone is so professional onsite, and coming from uni it was interesting to work with a more diverse and mature group,” he said.
One senior colleague shared “some really good advice” with Mr Samaniego based on his own experience.
“Students on placement have to maintain an engineering experience journal, which is submitted for credit points, and my senior colleague really encouraged me to get into the habit early on of writing and recording everything, from a to-do list at the start, to noting how and when tasks were completed,” Mr Samaniego said. “It is really useful to be able to look back on this throughout your working life as it helps you realise how much you have done, and how much you do know.”
Ms Wright says that it was obvious how Mr Samaniego had acquired a very solid appreciation of life in a consulting engineering organisation by the end of his placement, and that hosting placements contribute to shaping future talent development and industry needs.
“Mr Samaniego has also really demonstrated the value of having students in our delivery teams, as the feedback from our experienced staff is that they enjoyed sharing their knowledge and wisdom with the next generation of graduates,” she said.
With over 1,000 organisations now with the internship partner network, UTS FEIT has one of the top industry-recognised internship programs providing young and diverse talent to Australian industry. The program is aimed at providing internships and mentoring to support engineering students in their academic and professional development.
Do you wish tap into new talent? Register your interest here or email for more information.
Sponsored article provided by UTS.
Feature Photo: UTS FEIT students attending a lecture. Photo courtesy of UTS.