UQ Women in Engineering work experience program

Congratulations to Year 12 students Kathleen and Chelsea, who were successfully accepted into the UQ Women in Engineering Work Experience Program, delivered in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Rio Tinto, and The University of Queensland Women in Engineering.

During the recent school holidays, Kathleen and Chelsea stepped beyond the classroom to gain hands-on experience in the world of engineering and innovation. Through this unique opportunity, they explored future career pathways, developed new skills, and contributed to real-world projects alongside industry professionals.

We thank Chelsea and Kathleen for providing the below reflections on their experiences. 

Chelsea 

During the holidays, I had the opportunity to complete a week of work experience with Rio Tinto, a leading multinational mining group. Throughout the program, I was able to gain practical insight into a range of areas within the company, such as engineering, geology, large-scale operation and control systems, generative AI and sustainability, broadening my understanding of just how advanced and diverse the resources industry is. From speaking with and learning from professionals across disciplines, I developed a greater understanding of the significance of the resources industry in our everyday life and the important role of engineering and innovation in solving real-world challenges. 

This experience taught me not only about the technical aspects of the industry, but about the career paths, opportunities and the impact that companies like Rio Tinto offer around the world. I would highly recommend this program to anyone considering a career in engineering, science or within the resource sector, as they provide unique experiences, industry exposure and valuable connections. 

Kathleen

During the holidays, I had the opportunity to complete a week of work experience at Thermo Fisher Scientific, a company specialising in biomedical engineering. Each day we were able to explore different sectors of the organisation, including Quality Control, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and even the manufacturing plant where pharmaceutical drugs are produced and processed. 

I learnt so much from this experience — not just about the science, but about the real‑world applications of engineering and the work that goes into ensuring every product meets regulations and is safe for consumers. I recommend this program to anybody considering a degree in engineering or application-science, because the experience and connections with like-minded girls was truly invaluable.