From Intern to Engineer: HydroTerra’s Intern Program at work

I started working at HydroTerra as an intern in the Rentals Department. This was my first “9-5” job, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Under the guidance of John Guo, an amazing manager, and our enthusiastic Rentals Captain, Lachie Ward, I quickly learned how to clean and calibrate equipment and handle deliveries. It was a fun and informative experience, especially getting to understand the equipment and how it is used in the field.

One of the best aspects of working in rentals was the culture within the team of interns. We are a strong group of university students studying similar fields, and it’s been great collaborating and learning from each other. It is also a really great experience to work with your hands and learn that way.

As my time with HydroTerra progressed, I gradually moved into fieldwork. By the end of my degree, I was involved in more project-based work. Now, having completed my degree, I’ve joined the Systems Team as an engineer. Looking back, it’s funny to think about how I started not knowing what a water quality sensor was or what it even meant. Now, I’m working on projects that involve integrating these sensors into our telemetry systems.

What I’ve learned throughout this journey is the importance of patience and being open to trying new things. Everything takes time, so it’s important not to rush. Staying in your comfort zone can hold you back. Initially, with my background in electrical/electronic engineering, I wasn’t sure how I would fit into an environmental company. But now, I’m really excited to be joining full-time as an Electronics Engineer.

William Davie, Graduate Electronics Engineer, HydroTerra.