Meet our student
Mr Matthew Davis
Course of study:
Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2009
As a Project Engineer for Goulburn Murray Water since graduating in November 2009, I have been involved with a wide variety of projects that form part of the ongoing capital and modernisation works being conducted across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. From day one I have been thrown in the deep end and given a wide variety of work including the provision of technical support, engineering survey, detailed design as well as project management.
Having studied at La Trobe Bendigo I was well prepared for these challenges, with the degree being general in nature and preparing you for the enormous variety that exists in the field of civil engineering. In addition, La Trobe also provided me with opportunities to connect with engineering organisations in the region during the course of my studies through scholarships, field trips, staff presentations as well as vacation programs.
The positives of the Bendigo course were: it has a good balance between theoretical and practical aspects of civil engineering; encompasses a wide variety of subject areas, keeping career options open; has small class sizes with excellent lecturer access; is held in high regard by regional employers; and provides excellent opportunities to become involved with engineering firms early in one's career.
While the course is challenging, the learning curve upon graduation is even steeper than what you find at university. To date, nine months after graduating, I have been involved with: designing three subways, two of which were constructed during the 2010 winter works period; designing four occupational crossings, which are due to be constructed late 2010 and during the 2011 winter works period; the management of almost 30 culvert replacements across three irrigation districts, with my involvement including survey, procurement, $100,000 worth of service relocations, ongoing management of the construction works and technical advice; designing eight new meter outlets as part of reconfiguration projects across the Murray Valley and Shepparton Irrigation Areas; numerous engineering surveys, typically using an optical level; providing technical support to irrigators and area managers concerning matters ranging from installation of private works to supply level and flow problems; and managing a $200,000 Security Project across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
In addition, I have recently been informed that I will be looking after approximately $900,000 worth of works as part of next year's capital program. It would certainly appear that I will be earning my title of Project Engineer over the next 12 months!
