Tell us about your WSP journey so far. 

I joined WSP at the start of 2021 as an intern when I was commencing my third year of university. I worked two to three days a week during the semester and full-time during university breaks. I graduated university at the end of 2022 and went straight into a graduate role in the Water Asset Management and Planning Team. Our team works with clients to strategically plan upgrades, maintenance, and replacement of their water and sewage assets. To achieve this, we consider the hydraulic impact of growth and development, climate change factors, and asset conditions and use a variety of engineering software to assist with the planning process. 

 

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I never actually considered studying engineering at school and started my university journey studying a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. I started really considering and researching what I actually wanted to do and was interested in a year after graduating high school, so I enrolled in an engineering course. I knew pretty quickly that I was much more suited to engineering, and I have never looked back. 

 

 

Sarah delivering a presentation about engineering at Sunshine Coast Grammar School, 2023

 

 

What is your favourite thing so far about your time at the Sunshine Coast office? 

My favourite thing about the Sunshine Coast office is definitely being able to embrace the Sunshine Coast lifestyle while also having the opportunity to work in a global consultancy with so many opportunities. I love being able to catch up with friends for a beach walk or go for a surf before work, but still work with some of the best people in the industry and challenge myself at work every day. Brisbane is also quite close to the Sunshine Coast, so I also enjoy going to a bigger office sometimes to attend events and networking opportunities.

 

What is a goal you want to achieve this year?

This year I want to use the skills I have learnt during my internship in hydraulic modelling to deliver high-quality work on my current projects. I’m also aiming to gain skills in more detailed planning this year. 

 

  

 

Sarah and her colleagues at the WSP Ball in Brisbane, and Sarah at her graduation, 2023

 

Any final words of advice for someone who wants to start their career at WSP?

My advice would be to start building relationships early - while you are still in university. Being recommended by a friend to WSP was a huge help in securing the job, even though I was two years out from graduating. Since working at WSP I’ve recommended a student (who was a friend of a friend) in their second last year of university. They are now working as an intern, so it comes full circle, and the industry becomes very small once you start working and getting to know people. 

Learn more about our graduate program here. Applications close across Australia on 30 April.

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