Updating Results

John Holland

4.3
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Marlee Crawford

You must learn to not plan too much for the day ahead, the work is fast-paced and constantly changing.

What discipline and cohort (i.e. 2018 or 2019) are you in?

2018 Sustainability and Environment Graduate

Provide an overview of all your rotations to date:

My first rotation was in the country NSW town of Griffith with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Renewal Alliance (MIARA). 

My current rotation with the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne is vastly different from working with the small team in MIARA. Here, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a large joint venture (two or more companies working together on the same project), where I have had to learn different management systems and processes. 

What does your typical workday look like?

Morning: Make it to pre-start at 7.00 am, where the site supervisor summarises the tasks and any high-level risks for the day. 

Mid-morning: Get back to the office and check my emails before heading back out for weekly inspections to make sure that the sites are looking neat and we are meeting the environmental commitments stated within our management plan.

Early afternoon: After having discussions with supervisors about managing stockpiles, it’s time to head out and monitor vibration generated from the concrete piling which has just started close to a power substation.  

Afternoon: I document the results from the inspections and vibration monitoring before finishing the day drafting the site environmental plans for the packages of work commencing in the upcoming weeks. 

What has been the most interesting thing about your job?

I really appreciate the diversity and dynamic nature of the role. Some days you spend reviewing plans and attending meetings and the next day, you can’t leave the site because every team is uncovering heritage artifacts! You must learn to not plan too much for the day ahead, the work is fast-paced and constantly changing.

What are the limitations of your role?

The main limitation I have faced in my time as a graduate is understanding that my role is more about compliance. However, you soon realise that you are playing your part in protecting the environment by ensuring that all works are compliant with legislation and that the impact on the greater environment is minimised.

What is something you wish you knew before you started?

I wish I understood a little more about the construction industry and how it operates.

How did you prepare for starting on the Graduate Program?

As my first rotation was over seven hours from home and within a rural area, I prepared by buying a car and packing my entire life into it!