How would you introduce yourself in one sentence?

Jack of all trades. I started my working life as a mechanic, then automotive fabricator, AV Technician, Broadcast Technician, and now am about to begin my life as an Electrical Engineer.

Why did you choose to study electrical engineering?

I was working in the television broadcast industry, but the lack of tertiary qualifications became incredibly career limiting, particularly as I looked to procure a career overseas. My initial intention was to end up in telecommunications, but as my degree progressed, I found myself more and more drawn to the electricity industry.

In which projects have you been involved in and outside of university? What challenges and opportunities did you encounter?

My varied career has given me the opportunity to see some incredible things. I worked for TVNZ over an incredibly active time in the News industry. I was involved in covering both Christchurch Earthquakes, and the Pike River mining disaster, among other things. The experience taught me a lot about morals and ethics, and gave me a real appreciation for the hardship some people have to endure.

How would you like to contribute to the electricity supply industry in the future?

Coming into the industry as a young engineer, I am filled with enthusiasm, particularly as I see the opportunities that this industry will present over the coming years. With distributed energy resources becoming more prevalent, being involved in the engineering that sees these resources used effectively is of great interest. The integration of these resources, into a currently robust and stable network, will be complex and challenging, but provides future opportunities I’d like to be a part of.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to high school students wanting to start a degree in engineering? And to university students wanting to specialise in power engineering?

Engineering is hard work, harder than I ever imagined but the skills and knowledge you obtain, will prove beneficial in any job. The work is also incredibly fulfilling. Power Engineering is so much more complex and exciting than I ever knew, and should not be overlooked. We are coming into a time where there is significant change in the industry, and the evolution of power systems is an exciting sector to be involved with.