When students understand the breadth of what engineers can work on, career possibilities come into focus.
That was the outcome of the Empowering Excellence Breakfast at University of New South Wales (UNSW), where UGL joined a small group of industry leaders to connect with high‑performing engineering students in a highly interactive setting.
As part of UGL’s partnership with UNSW, Project Engineers Kate Leone and William Herse attended the invitation‑only event to speak directly with students about industry pathways and real‑world engineering work.
“For UGL, visibility with students is critical,” said Kate. “Being able to explain what we actually do, face to face, helps break down misconceptions about the industry and opens up clearer pathways.”
Students were highly engaged and keen to understand the range of projects UGL delivers, from traditional infrastructure to emerging sectors such as data centres.
“What stood out was the confidence of the students and their interest in the diversity of our work,” said William. “They were eager to know how engineers can move across projects and industries, and how they can be part of shaping future technologies.”
A panel discussion with a UNSW student and alumna also highlighted the progress being made to reduce barriers for graduates entering the industry, while reinforcing the need for continued inclusive engagement.
For students considering a future with UGL, the message was clear. “UGL’s strength is the variety of industries and project phases we work across,” Kate said. “It gives engineers the chance to explore different sectors, build broad capability and grow their careers within one organisation.”