What did you know about Cardno before you started?
As a student I had heard of Cardno & Davies (their name at the time) and thought they had a good reputation. I knew some people who worked there also who liked the company and the work environment.
What is your role at Cardno?
I am the Business Unit Manager of Cardno Lawson Treloar in Brisbane. Cardno Lawson Treloar specialises in the fields of water quality assessments, urban and rural flooding investigations and in estuarine, coastal and ocean studies, including oceanographic and estuarine data collection and analysis. In my role I am responsible for financial and administrative matters as well as overall project management of work performed by this unit.
Personally I work mostly in the field of 1D, 2D and 3D computational hydraulics and water quality modelling of floodplains, estuaries, urban environments and lakes and although a Business Unit Manager I still have hands on involvement. I am also the Australian Sales and Support Manager for Delft Software Australia, which sells and supports specialist hydraulic modelling software from WL|Delft Hydraulics in the Netherlands.
Tell us about your career and how long have you been with Cardno?
I have been working as an Engineer for 12 years now, either with Cardno or Cardno Lawson Treloar. I started as a Graduate in January 1995 with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree from QUT and after four years I was promoted to Project Engineer then Senior Project Engineer, and then to an Associate of Lawson & Treloar in 2001.
I was also undertaking the role of Technical Sales and Support for Delft Hydraulics Australia. Following the merger of Lawson Treloar with Cardno in October 2004 I was given the role of Principal and 2IC, and became the Business Unit Manager in January 2006.
Describe a typical day at Cardno.
How much space is there? We are a busy business unit with heaps of work and most days have a bit of a buzz about them. We learn fast, are always willing to create and try new things to stay at the forefront and no two days are the same.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
I have a few. I like my business unit and the people I work with. I really enjoy the challenging parts of the job such as the high-end or new ground work which makes me think and re-think.
What projects have you worked on?
At the moment I am working on a flood impacts assessment for the Gateway Motorway Upgrade and several flooding and water quality investigations for marina/canal/lake developments in Queensland. I am also regularly involved in a number of urban development projects on the Gold Coast.
What makes Cardno a great place to work?
I like the type of projects you get exposed to and the management and staff are easy going. The social events are also great.
Do you participate in any of Cardno’s social activities?
Yes, I seem to make it to most. Every Friday in Brisbane there is a bit of a get-together which is a good chance to catch up with other staff. I participate in the Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run with Cardno and we also have business unit social events at a staff member's house now and then.
What does Cardno offer you that other companies don't?
The opportunity at 32 to become a Business Unit Manager, and at the same time do hands on work in a specialist role. Unsurpassable! We also try to have fun here. Enjoying what you are doing and being at work shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
What does the future at Cardno hold for you?
I like doing new and interesting things. I always look forward to working on new projects and getting involved in new areas of computational analysis of water bodies. |