23 JUNE 2023
On International Women in Engineering Day 2023, women engineers at Charles Sturt University encourage young women to meet the challenge and join this exciting profession.
On International Women in Engineering Day 2023, women engineers at Charles Sturt University encourage young women to meet the challenge and join this exciting profession.
Acting Director of Charles Sturt University Engineering Ms Shara Cameron in the Charles Sturt School of Computing Mathematics and Engineering said International Women in Engineering Day 2023 (Friday 23 June) is a fitting time to celebrate the program’s first two female double degree graduates.
“The double degree which began in 2016 has graduated 17 professional civil engineers, and Ms Georgina Wills (left, above) and Ms Emmeline Rocks (right, above) will be the first females to complete this Bachelor of Technology (Civil) / Master of Engineering (Civil) and will graduate soon,” Ms Cameron said.
“This is such an achievement to be graduating on time from this five and a half-year double degree which was completed during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic years.”
Ms Cameron said the engineering program’s students work in the industry as cadet engineers for four years of this degree.
“Georgina worked for Orange City Council for all four placements, while Emmeline worked for Riverina Water then Hansen Yuncken and has worked for Zauner Construction in Albury for the past two years,” she said.
“Both of these students have been offered permanent employment as engineers with these organisations in regional NSW.”
Ms Wills reflected on her and her fellow students’ journey to become engineers when she spoke on behalf of this year’s graduating cohort at a forum on Wednesday 7 June at the recent Charles Sturt Engineering EngFest 2023.
“Our enthusiasm, and the internationally recognised structure of the course, allowed us to develop essential qualities such as commitment, persistence and teamwork,” Ms Wills said.
She said the early tasks the students completed were challenging but instructive, and included:
“And just like that our university experience was at an end,” Ms Wills said. “This phase of our engineering journey taught us a lot about ourselves, both personally and professionally, and about others, which I believe has shaped how we act, interact and participate within the professional industry.”
They then participated in four professional work placements as cadet engineers, including in regional areas such as Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Brisbane, Blayney, Dungog, Wollongong, and Lockhart.
“Nine months into our first placement an unexpected challenge arose; NSW – and most of the world – went into COVID-19 lockdown,” Ms Wills said.
“Many of us were isolated due to the new rules and restrictions which saw dramatic changes to the way we worked and learnt within our placement organisations, with many of us being forced to work from home.
“This was difficult, but we learnt a great deal about adversity in juggling university, work and personal life, which for most of us were all contained within one house.”
Ms Wills said this was when she was faced with two choices; give up or get to work.
“This experience changed me for the better and allowed me to mature and grow in my understanding of myself and what I can achieve when presented with a challenge,” she said.
“I am so proud of all we have achieved as a cohort; professionally, we assisted in the completion and construction of hospitals, schools, regional road upgrades, critical infrastructure, and major projects both within the civil and structural engineering disciplines.
“Our biggest achievements include the impact of our research on the engineering industry, being offered or obtaining full-time professional positions, and even being able to place our names or titles on important engineering documents or submissions.”
Ms Wills said it is also important to recognise their personal accomplishments; these include moving away from home, purchasing new cars, living independently, building new friendships and connections, nurturing relationships, buying and building their first homes, and, in some cases, getting engaged.
To current engineering students and prospective engineering students, Ms Will says, “Do not decide on your career now; be flexible, try new things, make mistakes, learn from the mistakes, ask questions, remember to breath, and that help is just a text message away”.
To arrange interviews with Ms Shara Cameron and Ms Georgina Wills, contact Bruce Andrews at Charles Sturt Media on mobile 0418 669 362 or via news@csu.edu.au
In-text photos:
Ms Georgina Wills with a poster of her research project
Ms Emmeline Rocks with a poster of her research project
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We pay our respect to all First Nations elders both past and present from the lands where Charles Sturt University students reside. In particular, we acknowledge the Wiradjuri, Ngunawal, Gundungarra and Birpai peoples of Australia, who are the traditional custodians of the land where Charles Sturt University campuses are located.
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