'This career path resonated with my desire to contribute to a 'greater good' - serving communities while being engaged with challenging work.'

Riza Tolentino

Graduate Electrical Engineer

WHO IS SHE:

I started my 'career' in the power industry back in 2019 as an intern with Endeavour Energy (NSW DSO/DNSP) and continued with them again in 2020 as a pre-graduate engineer. In July 2021, I transitioned into their graduate program after having finished my degree. This career path resonated with my desire to contribute to a 'greater good' - serving communities while being engaged with challenging work. My passions lie within the energy transition space and hope to pursue my career in the enablement of this transformation on the grid.

KEY STRENGTHS:

Picking up niche hobbies; Communicating complex concepts in simple terms; Quick learner; Data analysis and visualisation; Collaboration and informal leadership.

WHY CHOOSE THIS DEGREE?

Honestly, I stumbled upon engineering unintentionally but it quickly grew on me. I found that electrical engineering was a major that I provided a lot of flexibility in terms of job prospects, I enjoyed the content and towards the end of my degree I started to realise that I could align my passion for sustainability with my career through the energy transition space in the power industry.

My Journey

Where it all started for me

Completed High School

What did I end up studying?

I started my 'career' in the power industry back in 2019 as an intern with Endeavour Energy (NSW DSO/DNSP) and continued with them again in 2020 as a pre-graduate engineer.

Entering the industry

My previous work experience

Studied a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering - Honestly, I stumbled upon engineering unintentionally but it quickly grew on me. I found that electrical engineering was a major that I provided a lot of flexibility in terms of job prospects, I enjoyed the content and towards the end of my degree I started to realise that I could align my passion for sustainability with my career through the energy transition space in the power industry.

My work placement experience

In July 2021, I transitioned into the Endeavour Energy graduate program after having finished my degree.

What I'm doing now

My advice for anyone looking to get into the industry?

Take advantage of as many work placements and industry speakers at API events as possible - so you can get a good understanding of the many areas you can specialise in.

How to connect with

Riza Tolentino

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Abby Biles

"As we confront Australia's national skills shortage and the pressure to achieve Net Zero, the inclusion of women in the power industry becomes even more crucial. By leveraging diverse talents and perspectives, we can address these challenges. There are so many incredible women out there who's skills are needed in this space they just need the industry to support them in return."

Liana Lidden-Verney

"There is no gender monopoly on the skills needed in the industry. By having a workforce with diverse perspectives and experiences, we fuel innovation and innovation is exactly what this industry will be reliant on for generations to come."

Katrina Thomlinson

"There is value in every industry from diversity of thought and one way to bring diversity is employ more women in the workforce. Women bring different values, perspectives and approaches to solve the problems of today and into the future."

What can I do next?

No matter if you're at high-school or at university, we have great programs and resources to get you started on your journey towards power engineering!

High School Students

University Students

'This career path resonated with my desire to contribute to a 'greater good' - serving communities while being engaged with challenging work.'

Riza Tolentino

Abby Biles

Read more

Liana Lidden-Verney

"There is no gender monopoly on the skills needed in the industry. By having a workforce with diverse perspectives and experiences, we fuel innovation and innovation is exactly what this industry will be reliant on for generations to come."

Read more

Katrina Thomlinson

"There is value in every industry from diversity of thought and one way to bring diversity is employ more women in the workforce. Women bring different values, perspectives and approaches to solve the problems of today and into the future."

Read more