Power Up Summit 2025: Placement Advice, Career Pathways and AI in the Power Sector

The Australian Power Institute’s Power Up Summit 2025 brought together students, scholars, and industry professionals for three days of learning, career inspiration, and future-focused conversations. Across the sessions, attendees gained insights into industry placements, career journeys, and emerging technologies shaping the power sector.

Day 1 – Acing Your Summer Placement

The summit kicked off with Cassandra Ellis and Kieran Speight (Energy Networks Australia), who shared their experiences and practical advice on navigating summer placements.

They emphasised that internships are more than just technical tasks—they’re opportunities to build relationships, ask questions, and show initiative. Kieran reflected on the importance of seeing managers as mentors rather than just supervisors, encouraging students to seek guidance and feedback to accelerate their learning. Cassandra offered relatable insights as a current honours student, highlighting the value of balancing professional opportunities with academic commitments.

Day 2 – Career Journeys and Future Skills

On day two, API CEO Dr David Pointing took participants on a journey through his diverse international career—from researching solar panels at UNSW, to drilling oil wells in the Middle East, to leading clean energy projects in Antarctica, Cambodia, and Scandinavia.

David’s story underscored three recurring themes:

• Be curious – Ask questions and explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone.

• Be adaptable – Unexpected turns can lead to valuable skills and experiences.

• Be people-focused – Communities and collaboration are at the heart of engineering impact.

He urged students to embrace discomfort as a growth opportunity and to actively seek out challenges that build resilience and transferable skills. The Q&A session dug deeper into practical strategies: from making the most of graduate programs, to identifying leadership potential early in one’s career.

Day 3 – AI and the Future of the Power Sector

The final day featured Ryan Turner (Aurecon, API Board Member) presenting on the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in engineering and the power industry.

Ryan explained the foundations of generative AI, its rapid global uptake, and how firms like Aurecon are already deploying AI tools to improve efficiency, automate design responses, and enhance asset management.

Case studies highlighted AI-powered solutions in:

• Automating design queries for major infrastructure projects.

• Using computer vision to streamline asset inspections.

• Developing knowledge agents that can rapidly search and interpret decades of technical reports.

He also addressed the risks and responsibilities of AI, from governance and regulation to the need for human oversight, stressing that these tools are enablers—not replacements—for engineers.

Ryan closed with a vision of AI as a career companion: boosting productivity, supporting creative problem-solving, and opening new opportunities for future graduates entering the sector.

Looking Ahead

Across all three sessions, one message rang clear: the Australian power sector is transforming rapidly, and the next generation has a vital role to play. Whether through placements, graduate roles, or embracing cutting-edge tools like AI, the opportunities are vast and growing.

As Dr Pointing noted, “Each stage in your career gives you building blocks you never know where they might take you.”

The Power Up Summit 2025 was not just about sharing knowledge—it was about sparking curiosity, building confidence, and empowering students to see themselves as the future of the energy transition.

👉 Next Steps:

Students and professionals alike are encouraged to stay engaged through the Power Up Program—with scholarships, forums, and ongoing networking opportunities to keep building momentum.