Please introduce yourself in one sentence.
I am a final year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Canterbury who is passionate about working towards a sustainable and secure energy future for New Zealand and encouraging and supporting diversity in engineering.

What inspired you to study electrical engineering?
Throughout my education, I always had a strong interest in science and mathematics, however it was only in my final few years at high school that I began to see potential for creativity and transformation by working across the connections between them. I chose to study engineering because I could apply technical skills to real world issues to make a direct impact on people and society.
Globally, companies are looking for cleaner ways to operate, and electricity is a core part of the solution. I chose to study electrical engineering because it is incredibly broad – I can work on anything from nanotechnology, to software development, to powering our whole country! The aspect that interests me the most is the shift to 100% renewable energy, which adds complexity to the electricity system but is an important part of our climate action plan.

What would you consider as your key achievements to date?
The achievements that I am the most proud of revolve around my involvement with student societies at the University of Canterbury. During my four years at University I have been heavily involved with the UC Women in Tech Society and the UC IEEE Student Branch, including taking on roles as the Vice-President and President of each of these clubs in 2023. I am proud of how I was able to grow the club membership, expand the number and type of events put on, and empower other people on the leadership team to feel confident and capable in their positions. This year, I have founded a new club, UC Rainbow Engineering, which aims to create a network of LGBTQ+ students studying within the Faculty of Engineering. I am proud of the positive impact that this club is already having in connecting students in the queer community and promoting the importance of diversity and inclusion in engineering.

What role do you want to play in the future of the electricity industry?
There are three goals guiding my personal and professional pathway through the electricity industry. I want to shape an accessible and sustainable power industry, foster a diverse engineering workforce, and develop my skills as a leader. As an entry-level engineer, I am interested in working in roles that combine my interest in the electricity sector with the modelling, automation, and mathematical skills I’ve gained throughout my degree thus far, for example in power system analysis or grid engineering. Longer term, I would like to be involved in system planning and determining the best pathway to achieve New Zealand’s energy goals. I see myself going into a leadership position in this space. I also have a strong interest in power system optimisation problems, and would be interested in conducting research in this area in the future.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to students?
I’d strongly encourage you to look into what’s out there! Engineering is an incredibly broad area which likely encompasses more than you’d think. While engineering is based on a strong foundation of math and science, at its root it is about creativity and problem solving for a better future.