Overview

This career development event is tailored specifically to young engineers looking to advance in their engineering careers. The event brings together a group of expert speakers, including an engineering leader, young migrant engineer and engineering recruiter to share their insights and experience with you.

The event will cover a range of topics including tips and tricks for securing your first job, career changes and succeeding in your early career. The session will also cover topics related to migrant engineers and provide advice on achieving chartered status. Following the speaker presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to network with each other.

Learning outcomes

YEA advance your career presentation event will provide young engineers with valuable insights into career development, helping them to advance their careers. Attendees will learn tips and tricks for securing their first job and making successful career changes, as well as strategies for success in the early stages of their careers. The attendees will also learn topics related to migrant engineers, helping attendees to navigate the unique challenges they may face. Finally, the session will provide attendees with advice on achieving chartered status, a valuable achievement for any engineer.

Event program 

• 5.15pm: Registration opens
• 5.45pm: Event introduction 
• 5.50pm: Introduction from each speaker 
• 6:10pm: Q&A and discussion session
• 6:40pm: Netorking
• 7.30pm: Event concludes

About the speakers 

Margaret Gayen
Mechanical Engineer and Project Engineer, GPA Engineering

Margaret Gayen is a Mechanical and Project Engineer at GPA Engineering. She has seven years of experience, starting in medical device manufacturing at Ellex, before working at GPA on mining, gas and pipeline projects. She has developed particular expertise in the hydrogen compatibility of piping materials. Last year, Margaret co-authored the report ‘Creating Cultural Change to Support Gender Equality in Engineering (and the Oil, Gas and Pipeline Industry)’. Margaret and her colleague Carina Nixon surveyed the industry to understand the impacts of gender on experiences at work. Margaret was awarded South Australian Young Professional Engineer of the Year for 2022 by Engineers Australia, and also received the Young Energy Professional Development Award from the Australian Institute for Energy (SA).

Ali Ahmadi
Senior Asset Planner, SA Water 

Ali Ahmadi holds a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Adelaide. Ali started his career at SA Power Networks and his leadership qualities have been recognised by industry leaders, as evidenced by their selection as one of the five young utility leaders chosen by the Water Services Association of Australia in 2021, and as one of the "Force Forty" engineers in 2022 by Engineers Australia. With a combination of academic knowledge, real-world experience, gained through experiences such as migrating to Australia in 2008, and exceptional leadership skills, Ali has excelled in his career. Joining SA Water as a graduate engineer after the completion of his degree, Ali soon was promoted to an Asset Planner and not long after to a Senior Asset Planner, roles that gave him a great appreciation of the complex challenges that an organisation faces on a project, program and business levels. Ali will bring a unique perspective to the discussion, drawing on his experiences as a migrant engineer, as well as his insights gained through working alongside colleagues from many other professions.

Niki Robinson
Market Leader for Environment and Planning and SA Water Client Relationship Manager in GHD

Niki is an Environmental Engineer who has worked as a Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager across in both public and private sectors across her 25-year career. She possesses comprehensive knowledge in both water and wastewater. In particular, she understands collection through to treatment and disposal. In addition to her water knowledge, Niki has strong expertise in the environmental field enabling strategic sustainability approaches to engineering. Her experiences extend to planning, design, construction supervision and contract administration. From this, Niki now operates at the Market Leader for Environment and Planning and SA Water Client Relationship Manager in GHD’s Adelaide office. She is responsible for the delivery of outcomes to the South Australian Environment and Planning clientele, and SA Water.

Anna Roussos
Founder & Director of ROUSSOS

With 20 years’ experience in recruitment, Anna brings knowledge, drive and expertise to her role as Founder & Director of ROUSSOS Recruitment. Anna has demonstrated expertise in conducting search strategies for top-tier professionals, both within the private sector and government organisations. Anna has successfully started and grown the ROUSSOS business, which is the leading recruitment specialist for the construction, architecture, engineering, property and civil industries in South Australia.

MCs: Beverley Koh and Yu-Han (Alice) Liao