What attracted you to apply to Viva Energy?
I have a strong passion in the energy sector, and knew I wanted to start my career journey by being exposed to major, impactful projects early in my career. Viva Energy is a leader in the energy market, with exciting projects constantly developing. This aspect drew me to apply as it stands out as an organisation where I have the opportunity to not only enhance my technical skills, but to also gain first-hand exposure and contribute to meaningful and dynamic projects and developments, which Viva Energy has offered me from day one. I find Viva Energy’s innovation and drive in the energy sector incredibly appealing, particularly the growth we are seeing at the new energy space, the terminals and the refinery, and I am excited about the growth opportunities this presents.
Viva Energy has a strong emphasis on fostering an inclusive work culture. During my time here, I have received abundant guidance and mentorship from my team and broader Viva community, allowing me to feel included and supported. Often my colleagues would reach out and invite me to shadow or check out some new site work they’ve been working on, which I’ve also really appreciated.
What do you love about your work?
My first graduate rotation is in the Supply Chain Engineering team, where I am currently working as a project manager at one of our Major Hazard Facilities.
My current role is a mix of technical knowledge and stakeholder management. I like how I am building on my knowledge from University, by revisiting the concepts learnt in my Mechanical Engineering degree (e.g., Fluids and Thermodynamics), expand my understanding into new areas (e.g., piping and valve systems, rotating equipment, static equipment, welding systems, tank integrity and design) and see how it integrates together as working components. Working on-site at the terminal allows me to witness theory being applied to real-life scenarios, making it easier to understand how everything operates.
One aspect I am enjoying is the dynamic nature of the projects I am involved in. They constantly evolve, presenting unexpected challenges and unknowns, whether related to safety, operational efficiency, finances or scheduling, keeping me engaged and continuously learning. Furthermore, working with multiple stakeholders who have diverse working styles and opinions has been interesting, and I’ve enjoyed the process of conflict resolution, problem-solving and decision-making required to delegate a plan to work towards a shared goal.
Working with the assets allows me to gain exposure to the bigger picture, and experience in addressing challenges that arise during the design and execution phases of a project. It’s really rewarding knowing my contributions as a graduate will have an impact to the Viva Energy organisation and to Australia’s energy industry.
How has the graduate program supported you in launching your career?
The graduate program has been really valuable and rewarding so far. The rotation aspect of the program has provided us the opportunity to actively engage with different teams and explore various career pathways within the engineering space. This year, 75% of my time is with the Supply Chain Engineering team, and 25% with the Reliability and Integrity team, with a different rotation planned for next year. Working in different teams has added variety to my skillset and knowledge, providing insights to different career options within the organisation early in my career, rather than being limited to one team.
As part of the graduate cohort, we regularly touch base every few months to share insights and stories about our progress in our roles. We also participate in development workshops that enhance our career-related skills, such as time management, presentation, and communication. These workshops have been beneficial, allowing us to reflect on and transfer these skills to improve our professional and personal lives.