Engineer Quick Chat with young GM Thursday, 06 October 2016

Rebecca Mills MIEAust was awarded the Young Professional Engineer of the Year at the recent Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (AEEA) Northern 2016. She is now eligible to enter the national AEEAs, which will be held in Brisbane on the 23 November 2016 during Australian Engineering Conference.

What is the significance of your award win to you and your career?

I felt humbled to be nominated, so to have won the award is incredible. I’m very proud of the recognition by Engineers Australia, and hope that I can use it to help promote engineering and science as a career choice, especially for women.

What is your current job title and function?

My role is Acting General Manager Major Projects at Territory Generation. I manage a team responsible for the delivery of our new power stations.

Why are you an engineer?

I’ve always been curious, and I think engineering provides constant fodder for that curiosity. I had the opportunity to participate in a business innovation project at OneSteel Whyalla when I was in high school. Having great opportunities and support through such programs when I was young helped spark my interest.

What are you working on now?

My team is delivering a 41MW power station in Alice Springs and a 7.5MW power station in Tennant Creek. We are also currently undertaking a feasibility study for an energy storage project in Alice Springs, looking at the integration of renewables and storage on the isolated grids on which we operate.

What has helped you get ahead and what strategies have helped give you the edge?

I’m always willing to take on new challenges and to learn from those around me. I’ve also had a few excellent mentors.

What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?

The downturn in mining and industry means there are many engineers who are struggling to find meaningful work. The challenge is for these great minds to come together to evolve the profession through innovation, as problem solving is what engineers do best after all. The other significant challenge is in diversity. While the numbers are improving, we need to do more to encourage women to study engineering.

Engineers can save the world. Who would you want on your project team with you?

One of my early career inspirations is Jim White (FIEAust, SA Professional Engineer of the Year 2007), a great family friend, and very accomplished engineer and innovative thinker. Sadly, Jim passed away a few years ago. I would have loved the opportunity to work with him.

What’s the most recent present you bought yourself?

A circular saw, and hand tools for wood working. I’m teaching myself how to build some furniture.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to cook, travel, do projects around the house, and go camping and exploring as much as possible in the dry season.

What makes you laugh?

My dog, Archie, chasing falling palm fronds around the yard. It keeps him very busy.

 

Image: Foundations for the new engine hall at Owen Springs Power Station.