Graduates 2008

Carey Ashby – Graduate Engineer – McConnell Dowell

“After Graduating in November 2007 I joined the graduate program at McConnell Dowell. McConnell Dowell is a construction company that work throughout Australia, South East Asia and the Middle East.”

“Studying Engineering at La Trobe Bendigo was definitely the right decision for me. The small class sizes allow for easy access to lecturers and many practical assignments and site visits. The course at Bendigo prepared me for work in a huge range of areas. Upon completion of the course I found it was well respected by prospective employees and I didn't have any problems finding a graduate position.”

“I have enjoyed my short time at McConnell Dowell and am amazed at how much I am learning. I have been working in the estimating department helping to prepare tender applications. I was responsible for determining quantities and requesting quotations for a new Iron ore screening facility at Oakajee Port in WA. I am now working on a tender application for the early works package of a new office building at Spencer St Station. Studying at La Trobe Bendigo has given me an excellent basis for a career at McConnell Dowell and in the wider construction industry.”

Update - September 2008

“I spent about the first 6 months in head office doing tendering and a few months in Design. I am now working at the North Melbourne Train Station project, which has been pretty good I have been learning a lot. Mainly scheduling work, ordering supplies and equipment, QA, Supervision and some minor design works.”

“The precast we are erecting basically acts as formwork for the piers which hold up the concourse. We have been having a lot of interesting conversations with the architects as you can probably imagine, I never thought I would have to pay so much attention to shadow lines and cladding details!”

Update - December 2010

“The Barwon Heads bridge project involves the construction of a new precast concrete pedestrian bridge, a new timber and steel road bridge and the dismantling of the existing road bridge.

I worked on the Barwon Heads Bridge Project as a Site Engineer. My main responsibilities were for the supply, fabrication and installation of the road bridge timber piles, bracing timbers, steel beams and bridge railing along with the supply of the precast concrete components for the road and pedestrian bridges.”

To see more images from the Barwon Heads bridge project, download the photo series (PDF 1.29MB).