"To facilitate the major change this industry faces, we will need a major change in the dynamic of its workforce."
Who am I
I was born and raised in Sydney's inner west, and I've never really left that comfort zone until I started university and my internship role with Transgrid. I attended an all-girls high school which instilled in me an idea that the future of women in STEM would be bright, and that I would always be able to find women in my journey to rely on. But when I began my undergrad degree in electrical engineering, reality definitely set in. Being the only woman in a room became the new norm, and the isolation that experience often caused was and is my greatest challenge. Luckily, experience in the power industry has shown me a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm reminded of that excitement I used to have in high school physics. The friendships and mentors I've found have been invaluable, and my greatest hope is that I can continue that by being a mentor for the next generation.
Why I chose a career in power
I would tell them that it gets more exciting than V = IR. I would tell them that the variety of experiences they'll witness in power means that there is (mostly) never a dull moment. And most importantly, I'd tell them that they want you there. They want young people, women, people with diverse cultural backgrounds, pretty much anyone they can convince that power is cool. So, take advantage of that and find a place in power that you thrive in.
Where it all started
I choose my degree mostly based on what made me most excited to continue learning. I knew I wasn't finished with maths and physics, and I wasn't done building circuits and accidentally short-circuiting school equipment. I was also aware that whatever I would do, I wouldn't be able to stay stagnant, and I wouldn't be able to witness innovation from the sidelines, which is where the power industry came in. The technology and the global opportunities for the industry assured me that I could find a place perfectly suited to me using an electrical engineering degree.
My work experience.
What's next?
The collaboration that we are witnessing right now between different parts of the industry to reach this global net-zero goal is amazing. Ideas and innovations are being shared and showcased, companies are communicating their challenges and finding solutions with other companies, and the public want to help achieve this goal. We are understanding more about the importance of efficiency, and we are recognising all the faults in the industry that hold us back.