Past Graduates Profiles

Ben Wilkinson

Why Chemical Engineering?

I was introduced to Chemical Engineering as a study choice during Year 11 Work Education.  I had a keen interest in the practical side of physics and chemistry and really enjoyed mathematics throughout high school, and knew that Chemical Engineering would provide a rewarding challenge at university.

What did I learn?

Analytical and problem solving skills were keenly developed throughout the course, as well as providing a broad knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics and computing.  In the latter years of the course, the focus narrowed in on the core process engineering areas, fluid mechanics, chemical processes as well as practical work and design projects.

University taught me a wide variety of skills, not just in the lecture theatres or laboratories.  Communication skills are vital for engineers, as well as team work and project management, and the Chemical Engineering course provided many interesting areas to develop these skills.

Industrial experience was also a focus of the coruse, with a minimum twelve weeks of work experience required.  It is common to gain those three months of experience at the end of third year, however as I was underaking a double degree, I was able to gain a total of nine months experience in the mining, water and energy industries. 

Where am I now?

Having experienced a few different areas during my work expereince, I moved into the consulting industry, and am currently working at GPA Engineering in Adelaide as a Process Engineer.  My work for GPA Engineering allows me a broad range of areas to work in, with various clients in the Oil & Gas, Mining, Processing and Water Treatment industries, putting to use all of the skill I gained from study at Adelaide University. 

Simon Hanlin

Why Chemical Engineering?

I attended a seminar in year 12 on Engineering as a career option and the Chemical Engineer who spoke sparked my curiosity.  I had wanted to study pharmacy, but having a strong background in maths and science I realised after the seminar I wanted a more hands on, processing career. 

What did I find?

Throughout University I thought it was going to be hard to get a career in the Pharmaceutical industry, especially living in Adelaide.  Studying Chemical Engineering was not what I was expecting at first, but was both interesting and challenging, giving a strong foundation in problem solving and logical thinking.

Where am I now?

After applying to a two line advertisement in the paper I started work, much to my surprise, at Mayne Pharma as a Validation Engineer.  My role as a Validation Engineer has seen me learn about a wide range of process equipment, systems and materials. The key idea of a Validation Engineer is to provide a high level of documented evidence that equipment and services conform to a written standard. 

In my role at Mayne Pharma I have been involved with validation of equipment ranging from bottling and packing lines and equipment, computer software and systems, purified water systems, air handling units, spray dryers and various other process equipment for manufacture of tablets, capsules, creams and liquid pharmaceuticals. 

As I gain more experience in the validation side of Pharmaceutical Engineering I have taken on some smaller projects as a Project Engineer and now manage small projects as well as completing validation on larger projects.

Matthew Row

Why Chemical Engineering?

I had no idea what I wanted to do after I finished high school so I had a look through the SATAC guide and found the courses which had the highest TER for the previous year.  I was accepted into Mechatronic engineering but I then found that Chemical had a higher TER for that year so I swapped to it before the university year started.  Choosing a future career by this method turned out to be very fortunate as I quite enjoy my profession.

What did I learn?

The initial years of Chemical Engineering consisted primarily of foundation subjects for the rest of the degree.  The final years developed my management and team working skills while putting the knowledge I had learnt into real world situations.

The work placement component of the degree offered me a great opportunity to put the skills I had learnt to the test and further develop them into real world situtations. 

Where am I now?

When I finished my degree I was not really sure what industry I wanted to go into.  So I decided to take on a consultant process engineering role at GPA Engineering.  This role enables me to work on various projects in industries such as oil and gas, minerals, water and manufacturing without being pigeon-holed into any one industry.  It also allows me to have both hands on, technical and project management experience.

Lucy Broughton

Why Chemical Engineering?

Throughout school I was drawn to maths and science subjects. My rationale for undertaking a combined degree in Chemical Engineering and Science was to integrate the highly practical problem solving / design aspects of engineering with the theoretical / research oriented aspects of science.

What did I learn?

The initial two years of the degree course in Chemical Engineering provided a solid grounding in maths, chemistry and foundation engineering subjects. The final two years of the degree drew down into the heart of chemical engineering. the faculty offered many opportunities which stretched and developed my technical and problem solving skills.I majored in Pharmacology and Biochemistry in my Science degree, which complemented biochemical engineering subjects.

Where am I now?

Through my technical development at university, in conjunction with vacation work, I decided that I wanted to work as an engineer in a role that offered capacity in planning and project management, teamed with operational experience. As a consequence, I successfully attained a placement as a Drilling Engineer on the graduate program at Woodside Energy Ltd.

My first year provided a combination of planning experience teamed with a set of rotations offshore, working on drill rigs in the Timor Sea and Great Australia Bight. In my second year I was transferred into an international division and became part of the Mauritania Drilling team. I recently completed a six month assignment on a Norwegian drill ship off the coast of Mauritania, which lies below Morocco and Western Sahara in northwest Africa. I have since returned to the office, planning both exploration and development wells for Mauritania operations.

James Coffey

Why Chemical Engineering?

When I left school I applied for a range of courses and finally accepted a place in Oenology (wine-making) at The University of Adelaide. On the back of good results in first year, I was offered a scholarship for lateral year entry into Engineering. I chose Chemical Engineering because it would be advantageous if I ever returned to working in the wine-making industry.

What did I learn?

The course at the University of Adelaide was in the early stages of diversifying from Process Engineering into Environmental and Biochemical Engineering. I understand that today the choices are even greater. At the time I found the course to be quite demanding, but I appreciate that so much more now. What I really enjoy is the opportunities that an internationally recognised degree can offer.

Where am I now?

I now work in London, for a company called Dalkia Utilities Services. My role as Area Engineer for the South East UK and Northern Ireland means I am responsible for Engineering Support to existing and new business in the area. My work involves a wide range of functions from small energy management initiatives to major plant construction projects up to £16m. The roots of my project management competency were founded in Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, although little can prepare you for the first time you need to sign an order for a £600k piece of equipment!