Senior civil engineer
Name: Melissa-Paige Cooper
Career stage: Mid-level - 5-10 years' experience
Working: On site, Office
High School Subjects: Standard English, Mathematics, Physics, Modern History, Ancient History
Favourite: Physics when we did astrophysics and modern history learning about the third Reich
Further study: TAFE
where and what: Diploma in Civil Construction Design, Bachelor of Enigneering (Civil), Masters of Engineering
"I was always creating buildings as a kid, mainly for my Barbies."
the inside scoop…
What does a Senior Civil Engineer actually do? I mainly work with clients and contractors; going out to construction sites, watching designs come to life, and keeping and eye on the budget and program. I also design key pieces of infrastructure so people can have drinking water and plumbing when they build their homes. Lastly I mentor young and eager new engineers and help them grow and progress their careers.
What does a day in your life at work look like? A typical day for me would be spent in the office answering emails, taking phone calls, designing pipelines and reviewing plans. The best days are when I get to go out to construction sites and see what I designed on paper be built.
What's the best part of your job? Getting to design and build new areas for people to live, work and play.
What made you realise construction could be for you? I was originally interested in architecture because I was always creating buildings as a kid, mainly for my Barbies. I was looking into architecture in Year 10 in a UAC handbook and under the description it had a section called similar roles which had civil engineer. I had never heard of a civil engineer so I looked it up on the handbook. The description talked about designing bridges so I though it was just like architecture but doing bridges instead of buildings. I quickly learned civil engineering was nothing like architecture when I was studying at TAFE but quickly became interested. By the time I had finished my second year at university I had decided I liked the idea of understanding how the built world works rather than making things look pretty.
Tell us about your journey starting a family whilst working in construction. I recently went back to work after having my first child 6 months ago. I decided to go back gradually, starting at 2 days and slowly working on increasing my work days up to 4. I found it difficult to go out to construction sites the further I went in my pregnancy and in the end had to give up the construction side of my work in my third trimester. I could still do office work but I did miss going to site.
Tell us about a favourite project you're working on. One of the projects I'm working on is overseeing the construction of a new residential area that works on retaining as many of the existing trees as possible. When you drive through the neighbourhood you feel like you are surrounded by bushland whilst enjoying living close to the lake. Not all new housing areas are concrete jungles!
Do you have any advice for young women picking a career? Find what interests you, whether that's something in your classes or a hobby and see if you can turn it into a career. Don't feel pressured into having to figure out your career before you finish highschool. There is always time to go to TAFE or university once you decide what career you want to try. I took a gap year after completing the HSC to decide which path I wanted to take, architecture or civil engineering. I decided to go to TAFE to try out civil engineering which I really enjoyed and used my TAFE diploma to get into university.
Melissa-Paige is open to engaging further via: Taking a student for work experience.
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Melissa-Paige Cooper engagement enquiry" and we'll pass your message on.