Why did you choose this industry to work in?
I became a hydrogeologist because I’ve always been fascinated by the science of water. Plus, let’s face it, everyone needs water, so it seemed like a safe bet for job security anywhere in the world!
Growing up, I often saw degraded rivers, and I had a strong desire to see them restored. Fishing trips with my father further deepened my connection with water and its quality from a young age. Joining this industry allows me to actively participate in enhancing and safeguarding the environment, which is something I’m truly passionate about.
What do you enjoy most about working in WGA?
I actually joined WGA after William from our team wrote to the Waterways department at our university. I applied for the Hydrogeologist position, and lucky me, I got the job! I started part-time earlier this year and transitioned to full-time in March.
One of the main reasons I decided to stay with WGA is their involvement in ethical projects, alongside the cool and fancy ones. I love the variety of projects I get to be involved in, ranging from kiwifruit orchards in the Coromandel to housing developments in Hamilton. Additionally, I genuinely enjoy working with my colleagues who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in hydrology and hydrogeology to the table. It’s fascinating to see their approaches to tackling challenges and addressing project issues.
What’s the 3 most important things you have learnt so far?
1. I have learnt to juggle multiple projects at a time, at first it was a bit daunting, but I have learnt to prioritise jobs and it is much less daunting now.
2. I’ve learnt that no job is quite the same as the next, groundwater is dynamic and there is often always something weird going on that we need to explain!
3. During my time studying in undergrad and postgrad, my courses and thesis mainly focused on the hydrological and hydrogeological systems of Canterbury, so for the last couple months I have had a crash course in how the waterways operate in the North Island!
What can you say about the expectations vs the reality of working in engineering?
I didn’t expect to handle such a significant number of projects simultaneously, but it has turned out to be a positive aspect of the job. It exposes me to various hydrological and hydrogeological systems across New Zealand, making each job unique and interesting. I also anticipated mostly working in agricultural settings, so it’s been a pleasant surprise to be involved in projects in urban areas as well.
The transition from university to working full-time was a bit different, but overall, I feel well-prepared thanks to my university experience. I’m enjoying the routine, and it’s a relief not to have the stress of university work over the weekends anymore.
I feel like I’m learning at a faster pace in this job, mainly due to the different projects and the collaborative teamwork environment.
In the future, I’d love to travel to Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, to explore the desert and learn more about different parts of the world.
What are your hopes/dreams in terms of career achievement?
My hope is to contribute to projects that restore our degraded aquatic environments, whether here in New Zealand or elsewhere in the world. Making a positive impact on the environment is a significant goal for me.
How could the engineering industry attract and retain more graduates?
I think advertising on how working in the engineering industry allows you to work on many different types of projects so you will never be bored!
I believe the engineering industry could attract more graduates by highlighting the diversity of projects and the endless opportunities for growth and development.
Emphasising the fact that you’ll never be bored working in this industry would catch the attention of potential candidates. For me, it’s about being involved in interesting projects, like the ones at WGA, flexibility to work from home when needed, and positive team culture.