I am currently in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) at the University of Wollongong. I received an email from the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre with a great opportunity to gain experience as an Undergraduate Engineer with Fulton Hogan on the Nowra Bridge Project for 4 weeks during the semester break. The Fulton Hogan Vacation Program will assist me in achieving my long-term goals as it allows me to gain first-hand experience working on a construction site with people who have been in the industry for years and who can provide me a better understanding of the theory that I study and am currently undertaking at University. This insight into what an engineer does day to day will hopefully be able to keep me motivated and determined whilst still completing my degree. Some of the highlights of the program so far has been meeting people who have had very similar goals to me and who are achieving them through hard work. These people are great to work with as they take the time to teach me about what they do and how it will be useful in the future. Another highlight is being able to go on site and be able to see how the site is going to change and all the blood, sweat and tears that are still to come to complete the Nowra Bridge Project. Major key learnings I’ve picked up is how important it is to be able to read construction drawings and forecast what is required to get the job done. As a very important part of being an engineer is to be able to forecast materials, plant (vehicles) and money required for a project to ensure that the project can be completed within the estimated budget.
-Lachlan Sweeney, UOW
My name is Stuart Smith and I am a proud Gundungurra man, currently in my last year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physical Geography and Environmental Geosciences. In my last year of study I was attempting to secure a career orientated internship through Career Trackers but was unsuccessful as most of their partners shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, shortly after being informed of this, I was made aware of a Vacation Program with Fulton Hogan via the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.
I quickly applied and was fortunate enough to secure an interview in which the position was offered to me. This program is the first career-orientated work I have completed and thus will positively affect my employability for my respective field of environmental science. This program has exposed me to all aspects of environmental work within a construction/engineering company, which has exponentially developed my work-based skills and allowed me to apply my theoretical learning into a real-world situation.
Some key highlights of the program so far include, being a part of rigorous water monitoring of the Shoalhaven River over an extended period, and observing the initial stages of the construction of Nowra Bridge. I am thankful to both Fulton Hogan and the WIC as without them I would not have experienced this amazing program.
Stuart Smith, UOW