Here's what our 2010 graduates have to say after one year on the program.
"My 3rd rotation was in Substation Automation in ABB’s Power Systems Division where I worked on a communication system upgrade of three substations located in the Pilbara. My role involved the hardware and software design, testing and implementation of the new communication system. It was an interesting and challenging rotation, as due to it being an upgrade of not only one but three existing sites, I had to understand and incorporate into my design the existing infrastructure, rules and procedures of the sites. It was a great opportunity to take on a lead design role and further develop the technical skills I had learnt at university."
Rory Paltridge
"Within my first year in the graduate program, I’ve fixed variable speed drives, helped sell power products to customers around the world and was then sent to Queensland to help manage a distribution transformer factory! The last rotation was especially memorable. As part of the quality team I was responsible for helping improve the factory’s processes, resolve quality issues and ensure everything ran smoothly. This could mean anything from supervising a transformer being zapped with miniature lightning impulses one day, to visiting suppliers to help them improve their manufacturing processes the next. I was thrown right into the deep-end of manufacturing engineering and I loved every minute of it!"
Sanjayan Subramaniam
"I started my graduate program by visiting several power plants around Victoria. I was working for ABB's Power Electronics business who are responsible for the installation of generator excitation systems all around Australia. Throughout this rotation I learned how these systems worked and was able to assist in commissioning activities at one of Victoria's largest power plants. In the following placement I moved to the power systems group where I worked with the engineering design team on three different substations. I feel this example highlights the exposure you get to different engineering fields throughout the program."
Andre Klaus
"The ABB graduate program has been a fantastic experience. So far in my time on the program I have had the chance to work in a wide variety of roles. I have worked on projects such as improving the efficiency of a brewery bottling line, on a substation project in central Queensland, and have had the chance to help repair drives both in the workshop and on customer sites. In addition to the many work opportunities, the support I have received on the program has also been second to none."
Justin Eyles
"As a Mechatronics graduate, on my first year of the graduate program I was exposed to both electrical and mechanical work, contributed to two R&D projects and lived in three different states. I was able to gain experience in a wide range of engineering activities, from programming a PLC and user interface, to designing the housing for a Static Compensator and I was also lucky enough to go to site for the installation and commissioning of five drives in Broken Hill."
Shardie Johns
"My third rotation took me to Sydney, a new city for me. The role was also a new experience - High Voltage sales is a long way from my Mechatronics Engineering degree. As part of the High Voltage Switchgear sales team I helped prepare a tender worth tens of millions of dollars for a new substation with a major electricity utility. My tasks involved dealing directly with the client, communicating their needs to ABB's overseas/local engineering teams and coordinating the tender preparation. I learnt about the practicalities of HV switchgear design, contract negotiation and sales strategy. An invaluable opportunity to learn about a new field."
Matt Yeung
You can also see what our previous graduates have written about the program