Every year we welcome engineering students from local universities into the CS Energy summer undergraduate program. Below we profile some of the successful candidates in our 2020/21 program, asking them about their time at CS Energy and aspirations for the future.
Rani stephensen
What most interested you about the CS Energy vacation program?
I have always had a keen interest in energy and the sector more broadly. With the current transition to renewables, I think energy is one of the most interesting fields to work in. It’s such an exciting time to see the new innovations and technologies being developed to respond to changing energy demands worldwide. I embraced the opportunity to gain industry knowledge at CS Energy and work with such a skilled, knowledgeable team.
What have been some of the highlights since starting the program?
A key highlight was visiting Sulzer to see the electric feed pump motor testing. During our visit we were given a tour of the facilities and shown how they manufacture their motors. In February we also visited Kogan Creek Power Station for a site tour. This was invaluable and really helped solidify everything I had worked on during the program. I have also loved working with the team at CS Energy. I got to work with experts across a variety of fields who were all keen to help me in any way possible. I have been introduced to so many different ideas and experiences which I never would have seen otherwise.
How did you hear about the program?
I was fortunate enough to have the QUT Leaning Potential Fund Scholarship with CS Energy in 2019. This meant I had a strong connection with the company when the opportunity arose.
What inspired you to choose a career in engineering?
I’ve always had an interest in maths and look for any opportunity to learn and develop new skills. I also knew I liked being hands-on and wanted to pursue a career that complemented this. It wasn’t until I participated in my local university’s engineering programs in high school that I discovered my love for engineering and knew I had found my true passion.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years’, I will have successfully completed my double degree in electrical engineering and business management. I want to be working in industry on a range of projects, progressing my career and building on everything I learnt at university and my undergraduate placements.
Yousif al-patti
What most interested you about the CS Energy summer undergraduate program?
The thing that interested me most about the CS Energy program was the ability to engage and work with different teams in multiple departments, while receiving the help and support from the team so I could achieve my desired learning outcomes.
What have been some of the highlights since starting the program?
I’ve really loved experiencing how the program explores a wide range of technologies and services that we as graduates get exposure to every day. It’s so valuable to interact with services that help shape the company’s infrastructure. I’ve also enjoyed learning more about the underlying mechanics of the company, from power generation to data analysis.
How did you hear about the program?
I was introduced to the program by Career Seekers, an organisation that helps students from refugee backgrounds to kick-start their career.
What inspired you to choose a career in engineering?
Engineering is a field that puts no limit to learning and development. I am someone who is committed to always learning and enhancing my skills, so I thought it would be the ideal career path for me. When working in engineering, you’re constantly introduced to challenges that require lateral, creative thinking, which is something I have always been passionate about and wanted to hone my skills further.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself using the skills and technical knowledge that I have gained from the CS Energy vacation program in a role involving data analysis and software development, and applying these systems to achieve business goals.
qasim qhan baba
What most interested you about the CS Energy summer undergraduate program?
Coming from Afghanistan where we didn’t have electricity at all until recently, and even now only few nights per week, I find it very rewarding to work in a Queensland company that provides a huge section of the state’s power. I was also curious to learn how a power generator company operates and how software engineers contribute to CS Energy and utility companies in general.
What have been some of the highlights since starting the program?
The main highlight has been the first-hand experience that comes with being in a professional environment and in a field that I want to pursue a career in. It’s been invaluable seeing how everything that I have learned at university is being applied to real applications that impact real lives and people in Queensland. This has really helped me to appreciate my education more and has inspired me to strive to continually learn more and really apply myself in my degree.
How did you hear about the program?
I heard about the CS Energy program through Career Seekers, which is an organisation that helps students from refugee backgrounds to kick-start their career.
What inspired you to choose a career in engineering?
Coming from a country that has been at war for many decades now and seeing how technology has not only changed lives in developed countries but also countries like mine, was the reason I decided to major in software engineering at university. Software engineering is a field that already has and will continue to revolutionise our lives – from the health sector to transportation and to power generation.
People in less fortunate places have also benefited from the contributions of this field due to its fast delivery and easier accessibility. All these factors made me want to be a part of this positive change by contributing my knowledge and expertise.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I want to be working as a software engineer in a role that is equally enjoyable and challenging, a job where I am continually growing my skills and learning every day. I would also love a job where I contribute to the company in other areas such as cyber security, AI or the Cloud.
majella cassidy
What most interested you about the CS Energy vacation program?
I’m a naturally curious person and I love solving problems! When researching graduate programs, I was excited to see what CS Energy was doing in the energy generation space and how they were navigating the constantly changing energy market and transition to renewables. I knew there would be opportunities to hone my problem solving and analytical skills in a professional setting rather than in the classroom.
What have been some of the highlights since starting the program?
I’ve had great exposure working in different teams on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects. This has allowed me to get a real taste of all that CS Energy has to offer and deepen my understanding of CS Energy’s power stations.
There have been many ‘lightbulb moments’ where things just click and I understand a specific process or part of a plant clearly. Nothing beats that feeling. The best part has undoubtedly been putting the theory we learn at uni into practical use. It’s great because it helps me stay motivated throughout the semester, knowing that I’ll be able to implement the theory I’m learning to solve real world problems.
How did you hear about the program?
I’m an API (Australian Power Institute) bursary holder and was given the opportunity through them to interview for the position at CS Energy. I’m so grateful to have grown my skills significantly in this program and to work with some of the most experienced and passionate engineers in this field.
What inspired you to choose a career in engineering?
Put simply, it’s because energy generation is an essential service that our lives almost completely rely on. I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left high school, all I knew was I loved maths so people recommended giving engineering a go. And I’m so glad I did!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
To be honest, I don’t exactly know. After finishing my bachelor’s degree, I want to do a graduate program as a mechanical engineer. All I hope is for a fulfilling and challenging career where I can put my passion of problem solving to good use (and maybe a border collie somewhere in the mix!).