What's your job about?
I am a Technology Graduate at Western Power, a pivotal government organisation in Western Australia responsible for maintaining and upgrading the transmission and distribution infrastructure of the electrical network in the South West Interconnected System. I previously completed my first rotation in Asset Performance where the rotation helped me understand a variety of assets that Western Power operates and maintains and I am currently doing my second rotation in the Telecommunications Design team in Engineering & Design Function.
The team is instrumental in crafting the robust telecommunication networks vital for the seamless operation of Western Power's extensive electricity infrastructure and working with the operations team to deploy and maintain these assets. Our designed telecommunication networks ensure uninterrupted communication between our field equipment and the Network Control Centre, fostering reliable electricity supply and rapid response to any arising issues.
Besides big telecommunication towers that you would normally imagine, the team also designs a complex underground fibre network in the Perth CBD area. The Perth CBD, being a densely populated and highly active commercial area, demands the highest levels of service reliability and power quality. The target can be achieved by connecting Ring Main Units (RMUs) to our Control Centre via an underground fibre network, which provides a high-capacity, high-reliability communication backbone for our operations. One of my jobs is to design the fibre pathway and consider any civil work required when a new connection is to be connected to our existing fibre network loop. Also, there are some ongoing projects involving transitioning part of the telecommunication network to Internet Protocol (IP) and my knowledge and expertise could be handy in this transition.
What's your background?
I was born in China and came to Australia when I was 16 and completed my high school studies in Perth, then I moved to Melbourne to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology (IT) with a focus on Cisco routing and switching. This experience equipped me with in-depth knowledge of networking and communication technologies. After graduation, I returned to Perth to attain a Master's degree in Information Systems (IS) at UWA, recognizing the immense value that blending business acumen with technical proficiency could bring. With my unique background in both IT and IS, I have been able to bridge the gap between the technical and business domains.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
While a background in STEM is certainly helpful, it is not the end-all-be-all for working in this field. The blend of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) creates a multidisciplinary environment where various skill sets can add value. For instance, someone with a background in engineering could contribute to optimizing network performance, while those with a communications background could excel in stakeholder management, ensuring that technical jargon is translated into understandable language for decision-makers.
In a nutshell, the key to fitting in and contributing effectively is adaptability and a willingness to learn. Together with teamwork. We often find that the most innovative solutions come from collaborative efforts where different perspectives are valued and integrated. Teamwork can bridge the gap between varied skill sets, ensuring that everyone’s strengths are utilized effectively. So, if you are passionate about what you do and open to learning, there’s a place for you here, regardless of your background.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Undoubtedly, the coolest aspect of my job is the site visits. When you’re fresh out of university, you’re accustomed to theories, simulations, and maybe a controlled lab environment. But a site visit is where it all comes alive, it is almost like stepping into a live-action version of your textbooks. Each visit allows me to see how the design plan is actually implemented. I get to physically see the cabling, switches, towers and antennas that make up the backbone of our vast telecommunication network. It is also a learning experience that cannot be replicated in an office.
In essence, site visits make the job feel incredibly real and relevant, solidifying the importance of what I’m doing. It is one thing to create a design plan, but it is another to see it functioning and know that it plays a vital role in keeping communities connected and powered.
What are the limitations of your job?
One of the limitations I have noticed as a graduate is the timing of joining a team. The stage at which you join a project or a team can significantly affect your learning experience and your ability to contribute. For example, joining a project in its later stages may mean that the bulk of the foundational work has already been done. While this is not inherently negative, it might limit the range of skills and experiences you are exposed to.
On the flip side, if you join a team at the very beginning of a project, there’s a steep learning curve, which can be overwhelming but also incredibly rewarding. However, the mentorship available to you might be limited, as everyone is engaged in ramping up the project. This can mean less hands-on guidance, making it more challenging to navigate the early stages of your professional development.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
Embrace Interdisciplinary Learning: Strive to understand how your field intersects with others. This broader perspective will enhance your adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
Stay Curious and Keep Learning: Technologies evolve rapidly, so you must keep up. Never stop learning and remain curious about the latest advancements.
Foster Relationships: Networking is more than a professional necessity. It is a chance to learn from the experiences of others, gain diverse perspectives, and find mentors who can guide your career development.