Monty chats to us about what led her into electrical engineering and how being involved with Engineers Australia helped her learn more about local engineering knowledge and hone her public speaking skills.

What inspired you to study electrical engineering? 

I was inspired to study engineering because maths and science were my favourite subjects in high school. My school had an extension science class where one of our assignments was to build a circuit and make it as tiny as we could. That was when I quickly figured out I wanted to be an electrical engineer (sorry civil engineers)! My love for all things electrical grew as I continued to be exposed to the content throughout my schooling years, and it blossomed throughout my university placements, where I implemented my academic knowledge practically to provide solutions.  

How has being involved with Engineers Australia helped you with your professional development? 

I volunteered with Engineers Australia as a student ambassador at the Central Queensland University in Rockhampton. This provided me with the opportunity to chat with university students about Engineers Australia, network and collaborate with other student ambassadors all over Australia. It also introduced me to the local committee in Rockhampton. This helped me develop my local engineering knowledge and public speaking skills, and then I presented at the Engineers Australia regional forum in Gladstone.  

Tell us about some of your career highlights to-date? 

I have had a broad range of experience working in mining and minerals, power generation, transmission, and now distribution as an asset maintenance engineer with Energy Queensland.  

While working at Rio Tinto, I developed a passion for electrical safety working on arc flash reduction throughout the plant and received a Beyond 2030 Award for my contributions to safety. As a graduate engineer at Stanwell Power Station I sat inside generators, climbed power transformers and squeezed into precipitator roofs during the yearly major outages. With Energy Queensland I got to adventure all around the Burdekin region looking at network assets.  

What advice do you have for new graduates who are in similar positions to yourself? 

My advice is to show initiative because it will open so many doors for you. Don’t be afraid to put your hand up, speak out, and dig your teeth into your role. It is the best way to begin learning and you will be surprised with how much you can achieve, develop, and grow. 

Finding a mentor who fits you is also important to gather tacit and disciplinary knowledge to work efficiently in your chosen industry. Mentoring experiences can be transformative. Many mentees and mentors form deep, and even life-long relationships.