How would you introduce yourself in one sentence?

I am a passionate outdoors-person with an interest in large scale electrical applications, specifically the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity which our entire society relies on.

Why did you choose to study engineering?

I originally chose to study at the University of Canterbury to do a BSc in Maths, Physics, and Astronomy – but after a visit to the High Voltage Laboratory and thanks to an inspiring physics lecturer, the power of electricity piqued my interest and I decided electrical engineering would be a fun and exciting career to pursue.

In which projects have you been involved in and outside of university?

For my honours year project I am looking at the condition assessment of overhead power lines at the distribution level, in order to assist Unison Networks Limited with their asset replacement program. Identifying the mechanisms of failure of overhead conductors and looking at the various factors which influence how quickly they reach their end of life has been a fascinating challenge.

During my Summer internships I have also been involved in assessing the power quality levels of Unison’s network, and also the issue of transfer current between paralleled distribution substations.

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

It is important to me that we are environmentally responsible, so the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles and distributed generation is a step in the right direction. The challenges for the network associated with these changes however is a particular area of interest for me, so I am keen to get involved with working on how the network is going to cope.

I am also determined to see greater diversity and representation of minority groups in the engineering profession, as I believe there is a considerable amount of untapped potential and talent among the groups that do not typically pursue this career.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to students who are about to select their engineering specialisation?

Studying engineering is time consuming and takes a lot of hard work, but electrical engineering in particular is a fascinating area to be in at the moment and there is an abundance of opportunities in so many different areas. I would definitely recommend it for the diverse opportunities and challenges and the chance to contribute to improving our way of life.

I would also recommend that any current and prospective engineering students make sure to make time for their hobbies as well. It is a demanding degree but it is also important to enjoy yourself and be a well rounded person. Have some fun while you’re studying – you and your grades will both be better for it!