In January 2025, the City of Adelaide honoured Julian Zheng with the prestigious Young Citizen of the Year award, recognising his efforts in supporting migrant engineers and his outstanding contributions to the community.
Julian’s passion for supporting young and migrant engineers has been at the heart of his journey.
We caught up with Julian to hear more about what this recognition means to him, and his vision for the future.
What does this recognition mean to you, and what was your reaction when you found out?
Receiving the Young Citizen of the Year award is an incredible honour. It is a reflection of my journey from an international engineering student to a migrant engineer, mentor and advocate. Professionally, this recognition reinforces my commitment to supporting migrant and young engineers in their career development. This recognition would not have been possible without being part of Engineers Australia committees and having a support network. A special thank you to Lucie Reilly from Engineers Australia for her nomination and on-going mentorship.
Can you tell us more about the challenges migrant engineers face and how you’ve worked to support them?
Migrant engineers often struggle with a lack of professional connections and difficulty obtaining local work experience. Many talented engineers face underemployment, not due to a lack of skills, but because they don’t have the right networks, skill sets or understanding of the Australian workplace culture. Since 2019, I have mentored at least three migrant engineers each year, helping them navigate these barriers by providing career guidance, bringing them along with me to Engineers Australia’s networking events and introducing them to other young engineers in Adelaide.
Reflecting on your journey from an international student to a professional engineer, what have been the most defining moments along the way?
One defining moment was stepping into leadership roles within Engineers Australia in 2023. Becoming Chair of Young Engineers Australia SA gave me the platform to advocate for young professionals and shape initiatives that support career development.
Another key moment was securing my first engineering role in Australia in 2019, which is proof that persistence, a strong technical skill set and professional networking can open doors.
Finally, receiving Australian citizenship in 2021 was a deeply personal milestone, marking a full-circle moment in my migrant journey.
During your time as Chair of Young Engineers Australia SA, what did you see as the biggest challenges young engineers face today?
- The transition from academic study to the engineering industry
- Lack of mentorship and support networks
- Imposter syndrome
At YEA SA we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community where all young engineers can build confidence, learn and connect. Our vision is to inspire future engineering leaders, and we want every young engineer to see Engineers Australia as their professional home.
Looking to the future, what are your aspirations?
I am currently working on obtaining a Chartered credential. I aim to continue to serve the community through my role as a Fire Safety Engineer and a Young Engineers Shadow Board member.
Beyond engineering, I aspire to become a parliamentarian to bring technical expertise and an analytical mindset to key decisions and policies that shape our society. By integrating engineering principles into governance, we can make informed decisions that build a more resilient and forward-thinking future.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to young engineers looking to make an impact?
Whatever career goals you wish to achieve, whatever positive impact you want to make in the community, do not let being young or junior be your excuse for not trying. Take every opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. The more you engage with your industry and community, the more doors will open for you.