Mark

Mark was a work experience student in the summer of 2003 before joining Aurecon New South Wales as a graduate structural engineer in the Transportation Group in 2005. Soccer, skiing and the surfing are just a few of the sporting passions. Mark's wanderlust foresees him enjoying the chaotic pleasures of South-East Asia and the distinct culture spots of South America.

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

I wanted to work for a large consultancy and knew of Aurecon from a family friend, so I applied for industrial training work while I was at university. I was accepted and enjoyed my time so, when it came to applying for graduate jobs, I naturally asked Aurecon and was accepted.

Initially I worked on some smaller pedestrian bridges and retaining wall jobs. Late last year I worked on EastLink in Melbourne for a few months, which was a good learning curve. Since returning from Melbourne I have been heavily involved in the Runway 07/25 RESA job and Falcon Street Pedestrian Facilities job.

The 07/25 RESA job is a runway extension at Sydney Airport for SACL. The site is heavily congested with existing infrastructure and constraints. Aurecon was commissioned initially to undertake feasibility studies and concept work. This has developed into a multi-disciplinary commission including three land bridges, a 300m long tunnel, airside pavement works, tunnel services, drainage, environmental investigations and 3D modelling. I was involved in the Perimeter Road tunnel design and undertook the role as Project Leader.

The Falcon Street Pedestrian Facilities project is a commission for the RTA to undertake detailed design of a 220m long pedestrian bridge, grade separated underpass and ramp design. The works have required close liaison with the RTA and architects, to provide structural design, lighting design, roadworks, landscaping and all associated documentation. I was responsible for the underpass design and undertook the role as Project Leader.

The mentoring system is what you make of it. There is a system in place at Aurecon to have discussions with a senior engineer (mentor) on a fortnightly or monthly basis if sought. The mentors advise you about professional development, type of work or any other issues. It definitely helps you get to know people outside your group.

Very. We regularly have speakers from the Institute advising on Career Episode Reports and our status in obtaining our CPEng. We also have a very well publicised internal staff training schedule that allows us to obtain the required training hours for our CPEng, in addition to being encouraged to attend external seminars. They have a dedicated Training and Professional Development person in HR that organises this training and graduate functions.

Over the past year I have been in the position of Project Leader, and have had a heavy liaison role with clients. Each week we have a series of deliverables that I work on and coordinate. To make this happen, my day-to-day work involves daily internal meetings, structural design, report writing, letter writing and variation claims, financial management and client liaison. Each week I have approximately three to four external meetings either at the airport or with the RTA concerning the jobs I am working on.

Since joining Aurecon I have worked in the Bridges and Structures Group within the Transportation market and have not taken up the ongoing opportunity to rotate. I am however due to head out to work on site at the Airport for much of 2008 and part of 2009, which will be a big change for me.

The work culture is both respectful and fun. I enjoy working with the people I work with and usually we go about our work casually, with some intense periods prior to issues going out. I also see a lot of respect for people; it is unspoken that there is a no-blame approach and people generally work together to get deliverables out. I found when I was a new graduate that often jobs can be intimidating, but looking back now I realise that asking plenty of questions and giving things a go is a good way to go.

Pretty good. On a week-to-week basis I play soccer in a competition with people from work and am usually at the pub on Fridays or out on the weekend with friends from work. Throughout the year events such as the Golf Day and Corporate Games are something to look forward to. We also have a corporate games cricket team every year.

I recently became involved in the Young Engineers Australia Sydney division. We organise forums and social events throughout the year, which is good way to keep in touch with some of my mates from university.

I would like to learn more through experience on jobs, specifically I would like to get back to a greater bridge design role. I'm aiming to become certified and preferably move to South-East Asia. Also to work on a large transport job is on the to-do list in the next two years. Being a larger firm with offices in this region, Aurecon will hopefully be able to facilitate work of this nature in this region.

I am starting post-graduate studies next year which is something I need to get more motivated towards as well.

Busy, rewarding and challenging.