What's your job about?

Western Power constructs, maintains and operates the transmission and distribution electricity network in the South West of Western Australia. There are many roles in the business – asset management, design, construction, asset maintenance and grid planning to name a few. As part of the Graduate Program I have been rotating through different teams every 6 months.

My current rotation is in the field protection commissioning team where I assist with the commissioning of secondary systems in Western Power substations. Electrical power systems comprise of high-voltage apparatus designed and installed for the substation operating voltage (called the primary system) – think transformers, circuit breakers and busbars. These primary systems require low voltage power and control circuits to ensure they can be automated (called the secondary system) – think protection relays, control signals & LV power supply. 

Typically, whenever a new primary system is implemented, it is my team’s responsibility to ensure that the associated secondary systems are implemented and functioning correctly – this is the final ‘test’ before the new plant can be energised. This means I get hands-on site experience physically testing the control logic schemes, actuating primary plant and function testing secondary devices.

What's your background?

Throughout my secondary schooling I had a love for technology which was well complemented with an aptitude for maths and science. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering Science at UWA and gravitated towards the electrical and software engineering units. 

When it came to my Master of Professional Engineering I decided to specialise in the electrical stream. I had landed vacation work at Western Power at this time and was drawn to the technological evolution that the power system industry was undergoing. As a vacation student I was exposed to the increased emphasis on automation and control, particularly when it came to the connection of large renewable generation – this was a big motivation for me to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

I completed my Masters in 2019 and (after a 6-month sabbatical travelling Europe) joined Western Power as a Graduate Electrical Engineer 2020.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, there are definitely opportunities at Western Power for people without a strict electrical background. I have worked with some project managers who have a great understanding of the technicalities of the electrical system and the various components of it that they manage. In saying this, the more technical design and planning roles do require a solid background in electrical engineering.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I love that my job still requires an application of electrical engineering theory – in some roles I have definitely had to dust off the old university textbooks and brush up on some concepts. The application of this theory and realising it out in the field is very rewarding. I am also interested by the new technologies that are being implemented in and connected to the grid – it is a very exciting time to be part of this industry!

What are the limitations of your job?

Although the 6-month rotation periods offered in this graduate program have the perk of maximising your exposure to many areas of the business, they are not without their cons. For some roles it will likely take four months before you feel you can actively contribute to the team, and before you know it you are moving into the next area. I would advise you to reframe your expectations and set a goal to have a solid understanding the role your area plays in the business and how it integrates with other areas – the niche technical learnings that you retain are a bonus!

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Foundational units are key – while it is easy to gloss over the early concepts, just know that everything is built on top of this knowledge. Future concepts (be it in university or the workplace) are picked up much easier if you can relate them back to first principles.
2. As you learn concepts at university, try and think about how they relate to the workplace. Bug your professors and ask them to provide examples of application, or at the very least consult professor Google.
3. TRAVEL! I took 6-months off after my degree to travel before entering the workforce and it was the best experience of my life. I was lucky that COVID-19 wasn’t around to stop me from doing that and wish I had done more during my studies, like undergone a university exchange program or studied in another country. That would’ve been ideal.