Engineering with real effect How Engineers without Borders is making a difference on a global scale Lexi Randall-L’Estrange, Fourth Year Environmental Engineering

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 2 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 2 Overview How did I get here? Why did I choose engineering at RMIT? Environmental engineering at RMIT Engineers without borders at RMIT Integrated workplace project What does my future look like?

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 3 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 3 How did I get here? March of year 12: plans for the future Subjects in year 12 : English, maths methods, specialist maths, environmental science, physics, english literature, Year 11: History and philosophy Course selection criteria Highly regarded profession Practical influence on peoples lives

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 4 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 4 Why did I choose engineering at RMIT? First preference Practical, practical, practical! Application to the real world from day one! Links with industry Impressive graduates Location, location, location! Overseas programs; student exchange, Vietnam interdisciplinary environmental research project

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 5 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 5 What is environmental engineering? Understanding of engineering fundamentals as well as application of civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science and social impacts Waste management – water, solid, air pollution, groundwater and land contamination Research and develop new technologies and techniques Evaluate environmental and social impacts of projects

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 6 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 6 What is environmental engineering?

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 7 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 7 What is environmental engineering?

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 8 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 8 What is environmental engineering like at RMIT? Choice of three minors – Groundwater – Civil – Chemical (wastewater treatment and processing) Practical applied learning Engineers without borders challenge – First year engineering Community project Presentations, reports, group projects Software – AutoCAD, ArcGIS, RORB….

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 9 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 9 Vacation work and integrated workplace project Requirement: Vacation work – 12 weeks working with engineering company getting practical hands on experience – Can apply any time, some students end of first year, second or third year – Often offered opportunity to continue work during studies – I have been working since August 2008 Requirement: Final year project - Work on real industry based project - Link with professional mentors

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 10 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 10 Engineers Without Borders at RMIT Engineers without borders challenge EWB RMIT development scholarship – Three engineering students – 10 weeks living and working in Vietnam – Habitat for humanity, HCMC RMIT chapter – All engineering students, other disciplines are welcome – RMIT based volunteer group – Local projects, events, link with other universities

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 11 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 11 Vacation work and integrated workplace project EWB RMIT development scholarships Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Long An Working with households to improve access to appropriate environmental sanitation facilities in flood relocation zones

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 12 RMIT University© Career Advisers' Seminar 12 What does my future look like?