Careers with STEM: Net Zero 2024

CAREERS withSTEM

TERM 3, 2024

™

net zero

Awesome apprenticeships p4

LE B U DOISSUE R P FO ING FLIINEERRS ENGCAREE

alternative energy engineer

Design cars of the future p6

Join the green energy boom p8

CAREERS with STEM.COM CAREER PATHS FOR EVERYONE + TRANSPORT + GREEN ENERGY + HYDROGEN + MORE

Be workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow UTS Engineering and IT graduates are next-generation leaders with innovation and entrepreneurship skills in new and emerging fields. Take your place at the forefront of technology with degrees that provide a hands-on approach to learning within our globally recognised teaching facilities.

Learn more about where a degree at the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT can take you.

As Australia’s leading university in computer science and engineering*, you will benefit from a degree that has been co-designed with renowned academics and leading industry partners, all on a campus in the heart of Sydney’s Tech Central.

UTS CRICOS 00099F | UTS TEQSA PRV12060 40737 JAN 2024

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Engineering

*GRAS Rankings 2023

2

IT

UPFRONT

o r e z t e n n i s hot job reers is creating lots of new STEM ca s ion iss em on rb ca ro ze t ne Getting to

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o what even is ‘net zero’, you ask?

Net zero means balancin g the amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere with the amount removed.

The goal is to stop adding more greenhouse gases than the Earth can handle, helping to combat climate change an d protect our environment for the future . And in Australia, the government has com mitted us to reaching net zero by 2050 .

Reaching this goal will inv olve reducing emissions from sources lik e cars and factories and removing mo re carbon from the atmosphere, including thr ough tree planting and carbon capture techn ologies.

In sectors like energy, tra nsport, agriculture and mining, helping Australia to reach net zero will create new jobs for STEM graduates. In fact, consu lting firm Deloitte is predicting more than 30 0 million additional ‘Green Collar’ jobs could be created by 2050.

Here are six to consider!

— Charis Palmer

#3

wable #1 Rene energy engineer Want to help design and dev elop new energy systems like solar, win d and hydroelectric power? Renew able energy engineers are at the forefront here!

For more deets on these jobs and the grads who are doing them check out bit.ly/ renewable-jobs or have a read of these job kits. Find them all via the QR code.

CAREERS

2023

withSTEM JOB KIT ™

Clean energy 2 # electrician een isn’t your If being stuck in front of a scr part of our be to thing, but you still want ctrician ele an clean energy future, then . qualification could be your jam

CLEAN ENERGY SCIENTIST Discover how you can power a brighter future with a clean energy career

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withSTEM JOB KIT ™

SUSTAINABILITY

ENGINEER Insights and information on careers in sustainability engineering

Environmental scientist

ironment These scientists study the env ural nat e and develop plans to manag resources sustainably.

Net zero job kits

#4 Green chemist Green chemists focus on ma king all products that come from che mical manufacturing in the safest and most sustainable manner. That inc ludes ensuring new chemicals use renewable resources in their production .

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withSTEM JOB KIT ™

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gy #5 aEnner alyst As new forms of renewable ene rgy are plugged into the grid, it’s energy analysts that are helpin g ensure things flow smoothly.

Green transport #6 en gineer ineer like our cover You might be a chemical eng a new hydrogen star Doha (page 7) working on tems engineer sys e car engine, or a sustainabl x (page 9) Ale like award-winning designer essible. acc making electric vehicles more

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Green Chemist Design safer chemicals to protect lives and preserve our future

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PATHWAYS

Uni or not? Your choice There are many pathways to a fulfilling career working on the energy transition

Team uni

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So you want to get an engineering degree?

Awesome! Engineering majors related to renewable energy include:

o you want to help Austr alia transition to cleaner, ren ewable energy but aren’t sure wh at to study after school? The good ne ws is there are lots of roads you can tak e in this area of STEM. Below, we look at different paths into renewable energy en gineering via uni and VET. Once you’ve hatched yo ur major plan, you can research degrees at un iversities and TAFEs that offer your ch osen speciality. Take note of any prerequisites they might have. Lots of engineering degrees req uire that you’ve studied Year 12 physics and maths (usually extension 1).

• Chemical • Environmental • Electrical Or you could choose a straight Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering.

VET is for me Not keen on going to uni or want a more hands-on renewable energy gig?

Check out TAFEs for more info on the below renewable energy study options, plus many more.

katrina russell electrical technician

•C ertificate II or III in

Electrotechnology

•C ertificate II in

Sustainable Energy

•C ertificate III in Light

Hydro hero works for Hydro Tasmania,

ssell She Electrician Katrina Ru of renewable energy. r to ra ne ge t es rg la Australia’s an apprenticeship! got there thanks to

Vehicle Mechanical Technology (Apprenticeship)

•C ertificate III in

Engineering (Mechanical Trade)

she was doing general ’s apprentice program when nia ma Tas ro Hyd oss acr e •C ertificate IV in atrina cam ps. shi tice ren app hin Engineering (Pathway) ctricity wit research into out about the production of ele ing find and te bsi we ir the at “After looking ewable energy,” she says.

•D iploma of Renewable rest in wanting to work in ren engineers to install, Tasmania, it sparked my inte and ple peo des tra ide Energy Engineering ngs alo rina worked lified electrician, she’s During her apprenticeship, Kat qua a w No . ent ipm equ l ica ro Tasmania’s electr test, maintain and repair Hyd er Station. tor at Tasmania’s Poatina Pow era or Read Katrina’s full st currently refurbishing a gen attending open days at TAFEs nds me om at CareerswithSTEM.co ory ticeship, she rec ren app an g erin sid con one For any pr ofiles/electrician m/ ise Meers Lou – . you ts sui t tha one find colleges to

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Certificate II in Electrotechnology, Launceston College Public servant, Department of Finance

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Basic Aeronautical Knowledge Certificate, Launceston College Electrical Certificate III apprenticeship, in Electrotechnology, Hydro Tasmania TasTAFE

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Tasmanian Certificate of Education, Launceston College Generational Technician – Electrical, Hydro Tasmania

enginee After jumping on an ialised in electrical to make Luvha Shrestha spec ling the climate crisis a real impact on tack g ster of Professional Engineerin uvha is currently studying a Ma an ted ple ineering) and has just com (Electrical and Electronic Eng uni ort ty hip at Horizon Power – an opp electrical engineering interns lian Power Institute (API). she scored through The Austra internship was going onsite One of the coolest parts of the er system equipment. to commission standalone pow es lots lly interesting because it involv “Commissioning is always rea in the ng doi n ing the work you’ve bee of problem-solving and execut office, which is very fulfilling.” ortunities to design and Luvha says there are lots of opp te new renewable energy optimise systems that integra pursuing a career in this field, sources into the grid. If you’re antage of programs like the she recommends taking adv leadership development API Power UP Scholarship, and Rful Women program. “This programs like the API POWE panies for placements, not only connects you with com ortunities to be actively but also provides lots of opp ise Meers involved in the industry.” – Lou

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Bachelor of Science (Engineering Science and Management), University of Western Australia Technology Undergraduate Intern, BHP

Luvha Shrestha electrical engineerin g student

NET ZERO+THE AUSTRALIAN POWER INSTITUTE

The power s of internship ring study path,

Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering), University of Western Australia (ongoing)

Refinery Electrical Engineering Intern, Alcoa

Reliability Engineering Intern, BHP

Electrical Engineering Intern, Horizon Power

For high school students:

Your Future in Power Starts Here.

We created Careers in Power to empower power-passionate students and individuals in taking their first step towards their dream career in the power sector.

For undergraduate students:

CONNECT WITH US

Power Up Program is designed for undergraduate students wanting to CONNECT with industry professionals, CREATE innovative solutions, and take CHARGE of their future with exciting industry and scholarship opportunities along the way.

The Australian Power Institute

@australianpowerinstitute The Australian Power Institute @auspowerinstitute

www.api.edu.au info@api.edu.au Exclusive invites to career-related events

Scholarship information and more

Motivating stories from university students

Profiles of inspiring people in power

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Wheel-y employable

ht transport careers the green lig + ro ze t ne ing giv be ld ou sh Why you • Sustainable systems en a’s transport sector is gineers id you know that Australi s ga e its greenhous • of El rce ec tr sou t ic al ges lar en rd gi thi ne the ers port accounted for 21% • M ec ha ni emissions? In 2023, trans ca l en be gi to ne ers d it’s currently predicted • D of national emissions an es ig n en . gi 30 ne 20 er by a s ali str gest emitting sector in Au

LAUREN TROMPP

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the lar port emissions need to be To achieve net zero, trans uptake of electric and reduced. Increasing the les, and developing hydrogen fuel cell vehic maritime fuels, will help. sustainable aviation and gineering come in! To That’s where careers in en eds rt industry, Australia ne decarbonise the transpo ink: all kinds of engineers. Th

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So, if you want to save the planet AND have a future-proof job, now is the time to follow a net zer o + transport study and ca reer path! – Louise Meers

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START YOUR CAREER HERE NET ZERO + TRANSPORT + STUDY Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce, UNSW

o succi isedreivding Drivenudt ent Doha Goreish Engineering st of car engines the next generation d to follow an oha always knew she wante nted by all the engineering path, but was dau offer. “I remember different specialisations on ke me the most ma thinking, ‘which one would money?’” Doha says. re engineering, After briefly studying sof twa engineering and Doha switched to chemical y took another hasn’t looked back. Her journe ed the Sunswift significant turn when she join ve at UNSW aimed at project, a student-led initiati otive technolog y. developing sustainable autom and thinking, “I was walking past the garage icated ded h ‘wow, these students are suc .’” me be engineers. That could never arose to join a new ty uni ort opp an en Then, wh within Sunswift, chemical engineering stream

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Doha took a leap of faith, sent an email, and soon found herself part of a team exploring alternative energy sources for solar cars.

Currently, Doha leads Sunswift’s alternative energy department, which is focused on integrating hydrogen into the car. “We want something that’s genuinely competitive in the market,” she says.

The goal is to create a vehicle powered by solar energy, batteries and hydrogen, making it both sustainable but practical for everyday use.

Doha’s involvement in Sunswift has reaffirmed her passion for sustainability and innovation.

“Finding that little niche in hydrogen has been pretty life-changing because I can definitely see myself working in that space.” – Charis Palmer

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Senior ambassador, UNSW

ternative energy engineer

Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Process Engineering) (Honours), QUT

NET ZERO + TRANSPORT + JOBS Transportation engineer $69K–$82K Chemical engineer $59K–$112K Mechanical design engineer $59K–$102K* *Salaries according to payscale.com

Bachelor of Engineeri ng (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerc e, UNSW

doha goreishi al

Alternative energies departm Sunswift Racing ent lead,

Bachelor of Engineering (Transport Engineering) (Honours), The University of Queensland

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POWER PLAY

Green energy is booming, so why not be part of the next gen changing our world for the better

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nt building as your house or apartme f? More roo got solar panels on the stralia Au in than one in five homes in r de rld lea do, which makes us a wo solar uptake! sn’t yet And even if your place ha ances are at ch r, we po hooked up to solar you use comes least some of the energ y be it solar, wind from renewable sources, or hydroelectric energ y. of getting to 82% Australia has set a goal , and this spike renewable energ y by 2030 ng lots of new in green energ y is creati the chance to STEM jobs where you get technology while work with cutting-edge t. helping to save the plane nt is me rn The Australian gove 32,000 tra ex predicting we’ll need an iev ach e our electricians alone just to tion targets, and renewable energ y genera workforce will the clean energ y supply approximately likely need to grow from 84,000 by 2050.

53,000 workers today to

There are literally dozen s of jobs in clean energ y – many of them listed in our A-Z of renewable energ y careers. Some require a university degre e, but many will work for school and TA FE graduates.

Right now our green energ y workforce is mostly made up of me n and First Nations people are unde r-represented, with the government thr owing out some incentives for more peop le to take on clean energ y apprentices hips, including up to $10,000 over the co urse of their training to help with cost of living pressures. So what are yo u waiting for?

The green energ y train is leaving the station! – Charis Palmer

START YOUR CAREER HERE NET ZERO + GREEN ENERGY + STUDY Certificate II or III in Electrotechnology, TAFE Certificate II in Sustainable Energy, TAFE Bachelor of Engineering (Renewable Energy) (Honours), UTS Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic, Renewable Energy) (Honours), The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Renewable Power) (Honours), QUT Bachelor of Engineering (Renewable Energy) (Honours), UNSW

NET ZERO + GREEN ENERGY + JOBS Renewable energy engineer $56K–$95K Sustainable energy electrician $50K–$106K* *Salaries sourced from payscale.com

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ction to job kit download is your introdu This free Careers with STEM on ts dee ineering. Inside, you’ll find careers in green energy eng already se tho insights and advice from working in the industry, salary e: cod r copy by scanning the QR working in this field. Get you

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Making thwatawovuled heslp the community while

ed Wanting a career ka Kariyawasam decid nu Se , ge an ch e at im e boxes combating cl oduction ticked all th renewable energy pr climate-friendly enuka’s first step towards a helor of career was enrolling in a Bac S, majoring in Engineering (Honours) at UT g.

Renewable Energy Engineerin ree (so far!) deg the of t par His favourite subject came out of group work in a ts. jec called Engineering Pro four other “I had to form a group with t sen classmates to design and pre icity ctr ele a sustainable way to provide rn the to a remote community in nor available ally loc g isin util by Queensland s. resources,” Senuka explain tem that conver ts the sys a ed The group design electricity. Senuka loved movement of ocean waves into finding a way to deliver the engineering challenge of location. energy that was unique to the iting career opppor tunies exc Senuka believes there are re wind farms. His advice to in emerging areas like offsho h is to remain motivated by others heading down this pat nt to end up. – Louise Meers remembering where you wa

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Senuka Kariyawasam

renewable energy engineering student

senuka’s top tip “Always have an end goal that you are ultimately working towards. This will help you stay focused during your final high school years.”

Driving innovation

Alex Burton created an award-winning desig that converts petrol n cars into and he’s just gettinghybrid cars, warmed up!

on alex burt r

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invento

ngineering and industrial des ign student Alex is on a mission to make electric vehicles more accessible. His cutting-edge prototype that turns regular cars into eco-friendly hybrids earned him the 2023 national award in the inte rnational James Dyson Award competition.

“Instead of taking out the wh ole petrol system, our REVR motors attach to the rear wheels. We add a battery in the boot and som e sensors, and that’s largely it,” he explains.

Retrofitting regular cars with an electric system like this creates a hybrid veh icle that uses about 80% electric energy. It’s one way to reduce our use of fossil fuels and get to net zer o emissions.

While Alex finishes uni, he’s bus y making new versions of REVR and talking to investors. His future plans include working on REVR full-time and getting experience with other compan ies. Sounds like he’s on track for an epic journey!

– Danielle Lucas

Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Engineering) (Honours) / Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT

Intern – Workshop Technician, Raedyne Systems

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Co-founder and CEO, REVR

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Sylvia Edifor

Process Engineer Lead

disciplines that are outsid e my normal engineering role — one of the major advantages of worki ng in a startup company!” Sylvi a says.

Her advice to students he ading to uni is to take advantage of every op portunity. At the University of Adelaide thi s includes internships, mentorship programs, an d access to state-of-theart facilities and software to develop your skills.

And, she says, remember that your new uni mates and lecturers will bec ome part of your professional network.

“The university is the perfe ct place to start a professional career. It is important to build and maintain networks create d there,” Sylvia says.

As the hydrogen sector gro ws in popularity around the world, Sylvia says Australia offers plenty of opportunities for engineers to work with private companies an d the government.

— Charis Palmer

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a love for maths rowing up in Ghana with s wanted a career and science, Sylvia alway with impact. engineer, “I always wanted to be an ld make a significant a problem-solver who cou s to the energy crises impact by finding solution d clean energy for the in Ghana, and alternate an world at large,” she says. and choosing global After moving to Australia the University of engineering powerhouse lvia is now well down Adelaide to do her PhD, Sy ence. the path to making a differ a startup called She’s currently working at t specialises in The Hydrogen Utility tha drogen. infrastructure for green hy Sylvia’s daily role d, lea eer As process engin iewing engineering involves drafting and rev s, engaging with other drawings, preparing report th technology engineers, collaborating wi eering designs, taking partners regarding engin ties to help identify and part in plant safety activi ng on improving the minimise risks and worki cesses. company’s systems and pro job is having “The coolest thing about my ng across different a holistic experience worki

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university is the perfect place to start a professional career”

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Process Engineer Lead, The Hydrogen Utility PhD in Process and Resources Engineering, University of Adelaide

Sylvia Edifor is using her engineering skills to help bring clean energy to the world

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

NET ZERO+GREEN ENERGY: UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

HYDROGEN HERO

ined engin Stephanie Easton comb a career at the d fin with economics to e energy industry heart of the renewabl

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fter learning about energy gen eration in school, Stephanie had one big question: why can ’t it all be renewable?

Her search for answers led her to UNSW, the only university in Australia offering an underg raduate degree in renewabl e energy engineering at the tim e.

Fast for ward 10 years, and Ste phanie now leads a team of engineers, analysts and dat a scientists that only work wit h renewable energy. For someon e who loves solving interesting problems, Stephanie says it’s the dream job.

“There’s a lot of analysis tha t you have to do on a day-to -day basis just to keep up,” Stepha nie says. That could look like forecasting electricity prices out to 40 years or working out how much to charge a custom er for electricity over a fixed four-year contract.

As the world shifts towards a renewable energy future, Stephanie says there are all kinds of opportunities openin g up.

“For people who are passionat e and curious, it’s a really, rea lly exciting field to work in.” – Cha ris Palmer

Stephanie Easton energy trader

Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering / Bachelor of Commerce (Business Economics), UNSW General Manager, Operations Control Centre, Iberdrola Australia

NET ZERO+GREEN ENERGY: UNSW

Energy tradereering

Operator, Operations Control Centre, Iberdrola Australia EM Portfolio Management, Iberdrola Australia

UNSW Engineering

CRICOS CODE 00098G

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