1. What is your job about?

My job is about ensuring the safety and functionality of a structure to service a community. All jobs initiate with a discussion with the client and proceeds into the design stage where we as structural engineers design the structural elements to withstand the expected loads defined in the Australian standards. The second part of the job is the construction phase, where we inspect the elements, we have designed to ensure they have been installed in general accordance with our design intent.

2. What’s your background?

I have always enjoyed high level mathematics and applied science. Throughout high school, structural engineering was always something that interested me due to relative’s working in the construction industry and my studies. It was the only discipline of civil engineering I intended to do and 6 months after high school I started studying a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of Newcastle. In my second year, I noticed an undergraduate structural engineer position up for grabs in Coffs Harbour which struck me as a rare opportunity, seeing as this is my hometown. I got the job and have not looked back.

3. Could someone with a different background do your job?

I would say that if you have a strong foundation in mathematics and problem solving, structural engineering is both a challenging but rewarding career path. Although, without this foundation I would argue that it is not a field for everybody. However, anyone who works in the construction industry or has a deep interest in engineering has potential to learn how to be a structural designer, it just takes time and patience.

4. What’s the coolest thing about your job?

Seeing your design come to life is always special and I don’t think it will ever get old.

5. What did you find challenging about the role and any advice to overcome this?

The most challenging aspect of structural engineering is realising how much you do not know when starting out in the industry. It can be quite daunting when you have studied at university for the job and think you have a pretty good understanding until you get your first project and do not know where to start. My advice to overcome this initial learning period is to ask questions, then ask more questions. Senior engineers are great at simplifying problems and teaching you how structures are built, which helps refine your design.