What's your job about?
The Public Transport Authority (PTA) helps connect people in the Metro and Regional areas of Western Australia through rail, buses, and ferries.
I am working with the PTA in the Morley Ellenbrook Line (MEL) project team. This involves undertaking a lot of site inspections and engineering assurance. It takes some imagination to visualise how the station and railway will all come together at the end and it’s amazing to see all the new structures popping up every week.
PTA also offers its graduates a variety of training opportunities. As some graduates are in different offices, it’s a great time to get together, aside from the occasional group coffee or lunch. John Holland’s Track Essentials course was a great way to gain a base understanding of the railway structure and tools used for track inspections and maintenance. One thing I didn’t realise is how heavy a small chunk of rail can be. One metre of rail can be up to 60 kg, so it’s not something I’ll try lifting again.
What's your background?
Perth has always been home to me. Growing up, I enjoyed baking and planned out a possible career path in patisserie. I also liked to switch between cooking shows and Mega Factories on TV, as the manufacturing processes really intrigued me. My final year thesis was to incorporate the “baking” process for 3D printing concrete structures.
At university, it wasn’t surprising when I was the only female student in some classes. This fact didn’t slow me down – if anything, it made me want to do better which resulted in some strong bonds being formed between me and other like-minded students. Engineering can often be perceived as a rough and tough field, but there are many creative processes that go on behind it. In my final year, I became interested in working at PTA and I was pleasantly surprised to hear about their graduate program. It was great to have a mix of new starters and previous undergraduates which led to a very cohesive group.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes! The graduate program is a great time to learn about rail as the program does not just take engineering graduates, but also environmental, accounting, and urban planning. I started this program not knowing how trains work or the difference between an A-series and B-series. You’re not expected to have all the answers, and you’re given the support to feel comfortable asking the questions to get there.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Doing site visits and inspections within the rail reserve is exciting. Sometimes the site can just be outside your office or even close to home. Going into this program I thought I would only be learning the mechanical aspect of rail (anything moving) but this is far from the truth. So far, I have been exposed to the electrical wizardry of Traction Power and Overhead Line Equipment in one rotation and then the construction playground of civil structures in the next. I wouldn’t be able to get through it without the PTA graduate family (past and present), with all their different backgrounds and readiness to share and exchange knowledge to get an insight into other areas of the organisation.
What are the limitations of your job?
Maintenance in the reserve is often done when no trains are running, which means nightshifts are commonplace. It can be a limitation but it’s not a requirement. The teams you work with want you to get as much experience as possible and there’s no better way to see it in action. Seeing the drawings and test plans reflected in the work being done certainly helps me to learn quicker and understand more.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...