UWA Engineering Graduate profile: Emily Denholm StudIEAust
Before commencing my postgraduate studies, I had the opportunity to study a flexible and broader based undergraduate course at the University of Western Australia (UWA). I then honed in on a post graduate specialisation in environmental engineering with the Masters of Professional Engineering (MPE).
Environmental engineering has an interdisciplinary nature to solve real-world problems, utilising concepts from the fields of maths, physics, chemistry, biology and economics (to name just a few). I am constantly looking to learn from best practice in other fields and apply them to my own.
The breadth of the specialisation is an aspect I particularly enjoy, and gets me excited about the diversity of job options. Graduates can work within fields such as land and water management, climate change impact assessments, mining and resources, sustainable buildings, natural disaster prediction and mitigation, conservation and hydrology, infrastructure services, waste management and renewable energy.
The environmental engineering community is tight-knit, welcoming and helpful. I always look forward to my classes knowing I’ll be working alongside friends who share similar interests but have different opinions and worldviews that challenge my way of thinking. At the same time, there is a good mix of international and domestic students that has enabled me to familiarise myself with working with others of different cultural backgrounds, an important skill for the workplace.
I was fortunate enough to have a number of volunteering opportunities through St George’s College, Teach Learn Grow and the Student Environmental Engineers Club during my time at university, and I’m sure they will be some of my fondest memories! Additionally, these extra-curricular activities have really enhanced my vacation work and graduate job applications and have given me some great examples to draw upon in interviews.
As part of the MPE course, I completed a work placement through BHP Billiton Iron Ore's 12 week vacation program over summer. It was a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of the FIFO life and work in the Pilbara, as well as gain an understanding of the kind of work the environment team is responsible for on a mine site. A number of my environmental engineering friends also completed vacation work in consulting, mining or oil and gas companies, government departments and research institutions around Australia.
For more inspiring stories from UWA engineering graduates, visit www.ecm.uwa.edu.au/courses
Study alongside passionate peers
UWA engineering courses are flexibly structured to prepare you for an ever-changing and rapidly developing workforce. There are so many study options available to further your career in professional engineering and remain competitive in a global workforce. Combine a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, depending on your career of choice to help you stand out from the crowd. Courses are available to Australian and international students - find out more at study.uwa.edu.au.