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What inspired you to pursue Chemical Engineering at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, and how did it fit with your career goals?

I initially chose to pursue Chemical Engineering because the careers advisor at my high school thought it would be a good fit for me as I was very passionate about maths, physics, and chemistry. At the time I had no knowledge of what a career in this field would look like but as I progressed through the degree, I developed a keen interest in understanding how chemical engineering processes are integral to day to day life. A process engineer’s ability to impact and work in a wide range of industries convinced me to continue studying the degree and is why I’ve chosen to pursue this career path.

Was there a particular project or experience during your studies that had a major impact on your career path?

I also studied computer science and during my studies took up an internship at Google - while I enjoyed my time there, I wasn’t as excited about the work that I was completing compared to the work I had done during my process engineering internship at Glencore. It made me realise I really enjoy working in an industrial production environment where I can have a more direct influence on consumers by creating tangible products. As a result, when looking for graduate roles, I purposely applied for process engineering positions where I could have the opportunity to work on a production site.

Which technical or professional skills from the program have proven most valuable in your day-to-day work?

Most of the courses in my third and fourth year built a solid technical foundation that I often draw on during my work, such as knowing how to read and create a P&ID, design equipment, and identify and manage safety risks. However, it was the group work each of these courses had that I have found most valuable in my day to day work. Learning how to collaborate with different individuals over those two years has taught me what good and effective teamwork looks like. It has also helped me to improve my verbal and written communication skills, which I use regularly as I work with several different teams in my current role.

Can you tell us about your current role – what does your work involve, and what are your key responsibilities?

I work in the liquids factory at Unilever where we produce a range of home care and personal care products. My key responsibility is to ensure that each of our crews are equipped to run our production lines consistently and efficiently to minimise downtime and improve volume output. This involves collaborating with operator and trade teams to standardise processes, improve existing practices such as product changeovers, and upskill individuals to reduce knowledge gaps and maintain high performance.

What advice would you give to students wanting to build a career in product-focused engineering?

Apply for as many opportunities as you are able - from research, industry internships, to society positions. Don’t be afraid to apply for roles you may not be qualified for; at a few of the jobs I’ve worked I didn’t meet the criteria required for the application! Having breadth of experience will allow you to learn what you do and don’t enjoy, expand your network, and learn how to work with different individuals and organisations.