Data Engineer at Queensland Government Digital Graduate Program
Master of Information Technology at University of New South Wales (UNSW)
What was the best thing about being on the Queensland Government Digital Graduate program?
My manager and co-workers took an active role in training and teaching me. They welcomed me into the team and made me feel like an equal. I was performing a role that was directly using and expanding the skills I gained from my Master of Information Technology.
What classification did you achieve (ie. AO4 etc.) post program?
I started as an AO3 Software Developer Graduate, but before the end of my first year of being part of the Digital Graduate Program I was successful in getting a higher duties/secondment as a Data Engineer with the Translink Data Analytics team (at an A05 classification). While this role is currently temporary, the team really wants to keep hold of me and I believe this is largely due to all the skills I learnt in my Software Developer Graduate role.
Do you think the program helped to speed up your career?
Yes, definitely. I am seeing jobs within the department around AO5-AO7 classification that use the same skills I have gained through my Software Developer Graduate and now Data Engineer roles.
What's your job about?
The Software Developer Graduate job was about designing Cloud based AWS solutions through integrated CI/CD pipelines that deployed a platform for Connected and Automated Vehicles to receive safety and other useful information while on our roads.
What's your background?
I completed a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and Master of Aquaculture science and technology before working for 4 years as Project Engineer in the seaweed industry. This gave me a useful advantage in being able to manage my own projects and any projects that fell under my remit. Then I completed the Master of Information Technology with High distinction before getting this role. I also took on project management related tasks during my degree.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes. The Project Engineering background was useful but not essential. The high grade in my Masters of IT was useful, but someone with any experience in IT may have had an advantage over my background, as I had none when I started my graduate role.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Deploying automated AWS solutions using a suite of tools. I actually enjoy the Solutions Architecture elements and coding the most.
What are the limitations of your job?
The limitations of my Software Developer Graduate role was that there were a few Senior Software Developers in my team and at least one with project management experience, so it meant that my experience was not particularly unique. While I learnt a tremendous amount, and had some degree of autonomy in my role, my skills not being unique meant I could not add as much as I can in my current Data Engineer role. While I would not have had it any other way for my first IT job, I really appreciate being in my current team as one of only a few members of the team with significant Software Development experience in AWS. This has given me an advantage and my team often comes to me for advice on these and other topics, which is gratifying.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
Anything else to add?
Great graduate program all round. I felt this was the career stepping stone I needed to leap frog into this industry. I’m glad it was in the Department of Transport and Main Roads as well, as that meant I was able to and continue to utilise my background in engineering as well.