Can you please tell us a little about your career, to date?

From 2002-2006 I studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) / Bachelor of technology (Aerospace) degree at Monash University.  I then undertook a Masters in Engineering Science (Research) at Monash University, graduating in 2011.

I joined AMOG in 2010 as a project engineer in what was then the Marine and Structures Group. Since joining AMOG, I have worked on a number of different projects such as hurricane mooring installations (including deployment), forensic investigation of a collapsed ship loader structure, operational verification of a structural development and many other exciting jobs.

In the second half of 2011, I was given the opportunity to travel to Houston, to work in the AMOG office for three months. During my time in Houston I worked on a number of jobs including the assessment of risers attached to a floating vessel for future design.

I then continued my career in the Marine Infrastructure Group in the Melbourne office, working as a project engineer for projects in the structural group and he hydrodynamics group.

In November of 2012, I relocated back to Houston to work at AMOG Consulting Inc, where I am currently located.

How did you get your job at AMOG?

While studying for my undergraduate degree, I completed 3 months full time vocational experience with AMOG. Following my masters, I reapplied to AMOG for a graduate position and was accepted.

What are normal day-to-day activities for you?

I am involved primarily in undertaking the technical detail of the engineering projects for the AMOG Houston group.

What is the most interesting project you have worked on?

Managing a project involving the inspection and testing of recovered mooring chain. This project involved client liaison, the organization and implementation of relocation of the chain using trucks, the logistics behind manipulating very large chain segments using a 100 ton crane and the three-dimensional laser scanning of several chain links for future analysis.

What are the three best aspects of your job?

  1. In my time at AMOG, I have not done the same work for two different jobs. You are always doing new and exciting projects as they come up.
  2. The ability to travel to Houston to work temporarily in the AMOG office there was a great personal and professional experience for me.  Being able to then relocate for an extended period of time has been an extremely positive opportunity again.
  3. AMOG has a very positive and successful way of encouraging young engineers to personally and professionally grow by giving them challenging projects to work on, while providing excellent support through management and technical expertise.

What, in your opinion, is the most important attribute required for engineers to succeed?

To be able to clearly and accurately convey information to other people, be they engineers at the same company or clients. The ability to show what has been achieved and the reasons for the work done is very important.

What skills/training/experiences have been most helpful to you in your career?

The professional development sessions at AMOG have been extremely useful for my own professional career as an engineer, along with talking to experienced engineers in the industry about their own work and careers.

What advice can you give to university students trying to break into the engineering field?

Show enthusiasm for your work and what you are studying. If you are really interested in a particular aspect of engineering, tell people about it when you are being interviewed.

Lastly, how can university students "stand out from the crowd" and improve their prospects of securing a job?

Be confident when you are being interviewed and be proud of your achievements. If you have the opportunity to undertake several vocational placements, take them - it is a great way to learn what engineers really do and can potentially get you your first job as an engineer, like it did for me.