Meg Panozzo is definitely not your typical civil engineer. Whilst a lot of us go to work, finish for the day and switch off by the time we get home, meg is someone who powers on well into the night so that she can inspire the next generation of Engineers.

In fact we believe that no career story is as they say 'typical'. Each career has it's own ups and downs and in turn it's own story to tell. As you'll hear Meg started working with a friend of the family when she first started out in Engineering and has now risen through the ranks to one of the top Engineering design consultancies in the world (Arup). Now in charge of key components of the Woolgoolga to Ballina highway upgrade, she definitely has her hands full. If you're looking for inspiration in the civil sector, you've found it.

Jack, Ryan & our NEW Pretengineer partner Brittany Harris had a fantastic time checking out the latest Story Bridge build at Constructionarium Australia. Constructionarium gathered a group of 20 motivated and hardworking students & recent graduates to come together to Design, Construct, and Test a 1:25 scale size Story Bridge replica! They start from tender, proceeding through design & construction before the final testing and quality assurance like any other real project.

This priceless learning opportunity provides the students with lessons on all aspects of a real life project helping to improve their base-level knowledge and career trajectory moving forward. Jack, Ryan & Brittany attended the final day of construction to see it all coming together. This episode has soundbites from throughout the day as well as interviews from Amelia Tenaglia, Kate Connolly & CA Founder Harry Hartman.

If you're interested in Constrouctionarium's projects make sure to reach out to us on LinkedIn to find out more!

So as Engineers and people of STEM it's pretty easy for us all to get caught in our own little bubble sometimes and forget to acknowledge some of the incredible work done by different disciplines that create the projects we know and love. 

Jack Aubort had the absolute pleasure of finding out exactly what it takes to be a Town Planner in today's world. Speaking with Melissa Neighbour from STP Suburban Town Planners he found out that like many careers it isn't always a linear path as to how you end up becoming an established Town Planner. This was a great chat, that gives some fantastic insights into the career of town planning and the challenges they face day in day out. With booming property markets in many Australian capital cities and an ever increasing population, this profession definitely isn't going anywhere any time soon. 

For anyone who ever wondered how the project they are working on came to be, this episode is for you!

This weeks episode is one that has been one of our favourites to date. How often do you get to speak to someone who is literally developing rockets 🚀to launch to outer space🌏!? This episode with the one and only Joni Sytsma will not disappoint!

Jack Aubort and Ryan Loomans had the absolute pleasure of finding out exactly what it takes to become a fully fledged #Aerospace Engineer. Joni Sytsma explained the UPs the DOWNs and the in between of what can only be described as a pretty incredible career to date.  You'll hear in the episode the incredible transition from America to now playing a significant role in the Australian Space industry with Gilmour Space Technologies. For anyone who has even remotely considered a career in all things Space or Flight, this one is for you!

After our recent treat from the R.A.A.F’s C-17 and F/A-18F over Riverfire weekend here in Brisbane, we thought it was perfect timing to share our Rocketwoman episode with you!

When looking along the Brisbane River at all the adoring fans gaze at the jets screaming along the sky it’s clear that everyone is a bit of a jet-nerd, but none more so than our recent guest Ruth Harrison! Since Ruth can remember she has loved all things planes, and made it her life-mission to join the RAF in the UK.

After starting out in the right direction with years of experience in the Cadets and studying Aerospace Engineering, Ruth’s journey hit a couple of heartbreaking roadblocks. Now she is looking to put some rocket fuel into the careers of other #WOMENinSTEM who have encountered some turbulence such as changing jurisdictions, raising children or caring for family.

This episode is fantastic for EVERYONE! But particularly insightful for foreign expat engineers, those in the defence industry, and passionate #WOMENinSTEM!

Our co-hosts Jack Aubort and Ryan Loomans had another amazing #WOMENinSTEM on the show for an episode all about Civil Engineering and how to conquer an Engineering degree . Brittany Harris is a Courageous and determine Engineer who is really striving to make a huge impact in the world 🌏 around her.

Originally beginning her career doing reception work and working for mining companies in an admin role, she quickly developed a keen passion for her now career of Civil Engineering. She told her story of shear gut and determination as she consistently cold called and hustled her way into BMD and now would you believe has done the same to work at Aurecon. Along the way she has also had many roles within the wider engineering community and has now established her self as extremely valued member of our industry.

This episode is fantastic for people who might currently be struggling to make it through such a (what can seem at times) daunting degree any women looking for a female mentor in the industry!

Our co-hosts Jack Aubort and Ryan Loomans had another amazing #WOMENinSTEM on the show for an episode all about Pipeline and Ocean Engineering in the Oil & Gas Industry! Elizabeth is an adventurous and daring Engineer who is really striving to make a huge impact in the world around her. 

Originally hailing from Brisbane she ventured to Tasmania to study, then Western Australia, United Kingdom and the Caspian Sea to hone her craft in complex underwater pipelines that lay on the sea floor. Offshore oil rigs are an extremely dangerous and complex engineering feat, and only the most committed can handle the long stints away from home and demanding pressure. Along the way she also discovered her passion for mentoring as she joined the UK Chapter of Engineers Australia, eventually becoming Chair to host and run a myriad of events to support young engineers, especially Aussie expats, looking to network and develop.

This episode is fantastic for adventurous people, those who love complex and dynamic work environments and any women looking for a female mentor in the industry!

Talk about engineering entrepreneur! Our co-hosts Jack Aubort and Ryan Loomans had a fantastic time at GHD HQ with STEM and Diversity advocate Dr Jillian Kenny!

We covered her fascinating story from small country town girl hailing from Gayndah to the 2014 Top 100 “Most Influential Australian Women” now in the big smoke of Melbourne working for Swinburne University of Technology, University of Melbourne, The Adelaide Crows FC and her own company Machinam Pty Ltd!

This episode we touched on crucial topics relevant to many millennials out there such as:

• Your career is a jungle gym, not a vertical ladder! To quote Sheryl Sandberg, sometimes you have to take a step sideways or backwards to swing yourself forwards!

• Let your values drive your choices! This type of career path can become disjointed/aimless without first doing the work to be clear about your values. Staying true to your key values is the best way to love what you do and create a successful career.

Jillian has done a fantastic job of embodying a point I like to make to people thinking of tertiary education. Rather than undertaking a bachelor of business or arts when you are unsure what you want to do in life, chose a bachelor of engineering instead! The problem solving, project management, and mathematic skills you develop in an engineering degree can set you up so well for so many careers, especially in this ever-evolving digital age.

This episode is fantastic for those who are creative or entrepreneurially minded, ambitious people who want to fast-track their career through extra-curricular development and any powerful #WOMENinSTEM who are looking to continue blazing the trail.

What were you doing at 25 years old? Leading a team of engineers twice your age on 6 figure sum projects for one of Australia's largest design consultancies?

But Brodie Chan was.

This fascinating episode follows the story of one of the brightest and hard-working engineers I've ever met. Where people think 60 hours of work is slaving away and double your contracted amount, Brodie is revelling in the fact that he is developing 50% faster than the rest of the pack.

Most people would love the opportunity to secure just one undergraduate position during your engineering degree, but Brodie managed to land two and for good measure his third allowed him to complete his Thesis paper and continue on as a graduate engineer. Brodie attributes his success to his unquenchable thirst to learn & develop, as well as life changing mentors that have allowed him to understand his ability, and help realise the path before him to spend less time deliberating and more time actioning.

From Team Lead of Marine & Bridge Structures at GHD to Maintenance Engineer at Port of Brisbane this man has far exceeded expectations for the 5 year career plan upon graduating Uni. He provides fantastic insight into the mindset and rationale behind his meteoric rise up the corporate ladder, and the crucial mentors who helped him get there. This episode is fantastic for those interested in maritime engineering, asset management, materials handling, and those with insatiable ambition.

You won't be disappointed...

Have you ever travelled half way around the world 🌎 to pursue your passion? Well that's exactly what Souvik did as he left his family and home 🏠in Bangladesh to study abroad in Australia on a highly sought after 'Australia Awards' scholarship.

But the trials and tribulations didn't stop there, Souvik detailed to us the 'hustle' required to gain undergraduate work experience for an international student. Cold call after cold call, rejection after rejection, Souvik marched on with his fierce goal of becoming a mining engineer.

He also educates us on the future of mining, and the stringent standards that companies in Australia must adhere to when operating here. He also proposes the idea why Australia might be doing the world and environment good by mining here rather than overseas with poor practices and environmental remediation measures.

If you're someone who's interested in mining, blowing things up, or an international student pursuing your passions here in Australia, then this is the perfect episode for you!