Alesha was recently elected Division Committee President of Engineers Australia Victoria for 2018. She took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her experience and why she decided to run for the position.
What is your current job title and function?
I’m currently employed as a Senior Project Manager in the Major Program Delivery Group at Melbourne Water.
I’m responsible for delivering major infrastructure projects to ensure that Melbourne Water delivers reliable water and wastewater services. I have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as upgrades at some of Melbourne’s biggest water and wastewater treatment plants, new pipelines to meet the demands of a growing city and replacement of aging infrastructure.
A lot of the infrastructure that we deliver is in complex operating environments and involves numerous stakeholders so there are plenty of challenges to keep things interesting.
Why did you pursue a career in engineering?
By accident really. I was good at maths and science, so I thought I would do a double degree in Science and Engineering. I thought I would do engineering just because it was similar to Science. It was even suggested to me that I should study Engineering/Commerce.
During my studies, I participated in volunteer work in Mongolia to build a hospital in a remote desert community. That’s when engineering really connected with me and I realised that I actually wanted to be an engineer. I was drawn to the impact that engineering can have on people’s lives.
Why did you decide to run for division committee president? And what will success look like?
For me, volunteering is about contributing to a better engineering profession and a better society. Engineers Australia and the division committee provides this platform to contribute in a meaningful way.
Success will involve continuing to deliver to a strategic agenda, building upon existing and creating new connections between engineers and decision makers, bringing the right people to the table and ensuring that we continue to be regarded as the trusted voice of the profession.
Engagement with our members is also key and continuing to deliver a valued membership offering through our high-quality program of CPD events, our new Chartered process and networking opportunities is also incredibly important.
What are your tips for a work life balance, given that you have a child and another one on the way?
It’s important to ensure that you have lots of support! Every family’s situation is different, so you just have to figure out what works. For us, it means that both my husband and I work flexibly and share the parenting load and home duties, my mum helps out, we use an amazing day care centre, at times a nanny and wouldn’t cope without a cleaner! It’s definitely a juggle, but it’s rewarding.
Melbourne Water supports flexible work arrangements, so I currently work four days a week and I work from home once a week if possible. Weekends are generally pretty quiet to compensate for a busy week.
The President of Victoria Division is a pivotal role when it comes to engaging with government, industry, and academia. How do you plan to tackle the role?
The Victoria Division has built amazing connections over the past few years and it’s really important to continue this momentum. It’s key that we continue to strengthen the network of engineering experts across industry and academia while managing connections to government so that we can influence decision makers to make smart engineering decisions and create opportunities to increase the impact on our profession. I plan to draw on these existing connections and build new connections so that we can continue these meaningful conversations.
How do you feel about being only the second woman elected as Victoria Division President/Chairman?
I feel this is a pretty important step to promote diversity across our profession and I’m proud to have this opportunity to serve as President. The Victoria Division Committee actually has a good gender balance this year, and next year I’ll be supported by Carla Cher as one of two Deputy Presidents which means we’ll have 50/50 representation within the committee’s executive branch. Our committee is elected, so it’s fantastic to see that our membership is supporting women as leaders within EA.
What are your thoughts on becoming Chartered with Engineers Australia and how has Chartered status benefitted you in your career?
Chartered status is relevant to all Professional Engineers and obtaining this was an important journey for me. It forced me to reflect on my career, the skills I had obtained and also gaps that needed to be addressed so that I could develop into a well-rounded engineer.
I think it signals your commitment to professionalism and all engineers should be willing to sign up to the ongoing learning and continuing professional development that goes hand in hand with becoming Chartered.
What is your message to young girls thinking about a career in engineering?
Engineering provides an opportunity to contribute to a better society and improve the lives that we live. I volunteered with Engineers Without Borders for many years and we often said: “Doctors save lives, Engineers save communities.” It’s so true.
So I would encourage any young girl who was considering a career in engineering to connect with professions peak body Engineers Australia. Here you will find a diversity of engineering disciplines, much more than roads, bridges and fast cars and so many ways you can make an impact. Opportunities are available to work locally or across the globe. As an engineer, you can make an amazing contribution to our quality of life and the world around you.