Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental)/ Bachelor of Science
Job Overview: I am a planning engineer in the Vic office. I help our clients to improve and expand their potable water, recycled water and sewerage networks largely through the use of hydraulic modelling and master planning. I am also currently involved in a roof water and storm water harvesting job.
How I ended up at MWH: I started at MWH as a graduate engineer. Some of my friends at university had taken jobs with MWH in the previous year, so I learned about the company through them.
What is on my desk right now: Four puzzle shaped stress balls with the MWH core values on them, my keep cup full of coffee, a photo of my family including nephew and 3 nieces and my 2013 AWA Victorian Young Water Professional of the year award.
Free time activities: I train for hockey two nights a week and have matches on the weekends. I also love to travel, particularly overseas, hang out with my friends and family, go to music festivals and I have recently learned to crochet.
Best career advice I’ve ever received: A former boss told me to always focus on “outcome over task” – always ask why is this task important? What is the bigger picture for this project? and for the client?
Experiences at MWH: In 2012, I was luckily enough to spend 2 months on secondment in Qatar, working on an Integrated Drainage Master Plan. The MWH office was made up of staff from U.K, U.A.E, Poland, India, U.S, New Zealand and Australia. On returning to Australia, I continued to work on this project and through the use of Lync I was able to easily and readily communicate with colleagues from across the world.
Not only was this a fantastic opportunity to experience life in the Middle East, but I was able to develop relationships with MWH colleagues from across the globe, who I know I can call on for advice and assistance.
Story to tell: Some people ask me why I am a ‘yes’ woman and why my calendar is always full, well it’s because of my friend Tess. Tess was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. At the age of 14, we thought Tess’s days were numbered, but true to her personality she fought on. Tess has been in and out of hospital all her life and there were days when her lung function was less than 25%, which meant that the simple task of walking down the street left her breathless and unable to talk. But all this made her more determined than ever to live life to the “max”. She puts all her friends and family to shame with her attitude to participation, her generosity to others and her commitment to the community school she works at.
Two years ago she was luckily enough to receive a lung transplant, which has transformed her life, giving her even more energy to live life to the max. Her attitude to life shows me that the rest of us really have nothing to complain about. She is one of many inspirational women in my life, whom I admire. Tess has and continues to make me a better person and is someone worth celebrating on International Women’s Day.
Pictured is Jane after participating in World’s Greatest Shave in 2009. She chose the photo because she is someone who loves to take on new challenges, and is also passionate about supporting worthy causes, such as this.
