As part of Coliban Water’s continued commitment to provide an inclusive, flexible and diverse workforce, it is encouraging females in the region to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM).
Executive General Manager Strategy and Governance Roslyn Wai said the water corporation is proud to support STEM careers through a range of programs and initiatives.
“This includes our education program with primary and secondary schools to promote careers within the water industry that are based on STEM subjects, a vacation program in a range of disciplines to provide experience for university undergraduates and a graduate rotation program focused on engineering. This can lead to long-term job prospects in these areas and assist with attracting women into the engineering profession.
“We also work with La Trobe University to offer work-integrated learning opportunities to undergraduates so they can learn valuable skills in engineering, with a focus on encouraging females into these roles if possible,” she said.
Coliban Water’s support of STEM aids broader community understanding about the exciting careers and roles that exist.
“This might be water quality, environmental work, corporate education, engineering, innovation, information technology, finance or many other specialist roles that make up our organisation. The daily operation of our business requires creativity, problem solving, innovation and critical thinking,” Ms Wai said.
“We have a continued focus on gender equity, with females in the Coliban workforce increasing in the last year from 38 per cent to 41 per cent.”
The ten-person Leadership Team is comprised of an equal representation of males and females.
“We are continuing to implement our Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan,” Ms Wai said.
Coliban’s General Manager Information, Digital and Cyber, Amanda Finnis is an advocate of females in STEM-related fields, and feels the barriers to entry are slowly being overcome.
“The number of jobs that require technology is exponentially growing,” Ms Finnis said. “And there are so many ‘on-ramps’ these days to a career – you should be able to get in at any point, not just from an entry level or as a school-leaver,” she said.
“No time is a bad time to make the switch. Opportunities these days are limitless and there are so many variations of a career pathway.”
“Unfortunately the concept of STEM has suffered for women because these jobs are sometimes seen as solitary, serious, hardcore and technical. But this is a myth, and more and more we’re working in teams, roles are evolving and so many people along the way are willing to help newcomers,” she said.
Ms Finnis suggested finding a mentor could be a great step for those considering a move into a STEM career.
For Water and Sewer Planning Manager Christine Grundy, her pathway into engineering has been anything but traditional.
“I started out as a social worker but I wasn’t quite settled. Some people laughed when I told them that I was thinking of doing engineering. But my first maths class was like coming home. It just felt right,” Ms Grundy said.
“I started in environmental engineering and then got into the water industry. I’ve always been a strong advocate of following your passion.
“The other great thing is that, as a mother, I’ve really appreciated the flexibility offered in an engineering role. I’ve found there is a really strong supportive environment for women with children in the water industry,” she said.
Ms Grundy and Ms Finnis are only two of many staff at Coliban Water who are advocates of female inclusion in STEM careers – including Graduate Engineer Nathalie Lopez, Control Systems Engineer Bronwyn White, Water Quality Risk Management Coordinator Carmel Cumming, Environmental Specialist Lisa Cox, Manager Strategic Opportunities and Initiatives Jenny Stewart and Manager Business Innovation and Sustainability Megan Kreutzer.
Ms Wai said the recent construction and impending opening of Bendigo Technical School was also timely for people in our region considering a STEM career pathway.
Further quotes from Coliban Water females in STEM (by area)
Nathalie Lopez, Graduate Engineer, Quarry Hill
“Sometimes when we look at a career, it’s male-dominated and we can be afraid that we won’t fit in. But I’ve come across so many men who are supportive of females in these roles. We don’t need to be afraid.”
Bronwyn White, Control Systems Engineer, Strathdale
“I never thought engineering was where I’d end up. In my third year of university I thought about dropping out, but I had a family member encourage me to persevere – and I’m glad I did. It’s been great. It’s been one of those jobs that’s let me travel all over the place.”
Carmel Cumming, Water Quality Risk Management Coordinator, Strathfieldsaye
“People should be confident that they can give things a go. Sometimes you can’t get into a field directly – sometimes you get there in a roundabout way. You might think, ‘I wouldn’t be interested in that’.”
“When considering jobs – it always helps if you can talk to someone in the role, rather than discounting it based on the job advertisement.
Lisa Cox, Environmental Specialist – Projects, Strathfieldsaye
“I never had a set career plan. After university I had several different jobs. I had no idea I’d end up doing the job I have now. I didn’t know jobs like this existed. My role is essentially applying native vegetation and biodiversity regulations to our projects.
“I love it because I’m always dealing with something new.”
Jenny Stewart, Manager Strategic Opportunities and Initiatives, Quarry Hill
“I’ve been able to move around within the organisation and work in areas as diverse as planning, design, construction and operations. I’ve enjoyed the urban water industry because there is such a diversity of work.
“It’s very dynamic and there are new challenges all the time. Nothing is stagnant in the water industry.”
Megan Kreutzer, Manager Business Innovation and Sustainability, Kangaroo Flat
“One of my best memories at school was writing to the CSIRO when I aged 12 to tell them I wanted to be a scientist. They wrote back to me via ‘snail mail’ and provided some information, which I thought was pretty great.”
Last updated on 09 Jul 2019