Dominic

Dominic joined Aurecon in 2006 after working for Aurecon during the three previous university summer holidays. Prior to that, Dominic worked for an insurance company for three years before returning to university to study engineering. Dominic has been involved in rowing for the past 12 years, both competing and more recently coaching at club level. Dominic and his wife are also proud first-home owners and are finding much reward in painting and renovating their new house.

We hit him with 10 questions, starting now...

My father arranged a summer job with Aurecon in the Wellington office in the university holidays and I haven't left since.

I've worked on numerous projects since I started at Aurecon. I've been involved in the geotechnical ground investigation and initial wind turbine foundation design at the Te Rere Hau windfarm in the North Island.

I have designed and undertaken construction observation of several major retaining walls in and around Christchurch. I've been involved in the foundation and basement design of several high-rise apartment buildings in both Christchurch and Wellington, and I've undertaken contaminated land assessments for several potential childcare centres.

The mentoring system at Aurecon is good. I have had good support on a technical and personal level from senior staff in all the Aurecon offices I have worked in.

They support my IPENZ registration both financially and technically as I work towards becoming a registered professional engineer. I was also actively encouraged to write an academic paper for a recent international geomechanics conference in Brisbane.

I am working as a geotechnical engineer. Work is very busy with a mixture of field work, site observation out of the office and design work and report writing back in the office. Organisational and communication skills are required on a daily basis too.

The graduate seminar in Melbourne was good. It provides a chance to meet some of your peers and also the senior management, from across Australasia, in both a professional and social capacity. It gave a good insight into Aurecon as a whole.

The Christchurch office is dynamic and provides a friendly and welcoming environment. Everyone is very approachable.

The civil team has a lot of social gatherings, and there are several good social functions for the entire office each year (such as the mid-winter Christmas party). There are also plenty of out-of-work activities to participate in.

The plan is to obtain my registration as a professional engineer and continue to develop my skill base and knowledge. Aurecon actively encourages and support graduates with their graduate mentoring programme.

Interesting, challenging, rewarding.