Welcome to All Things Engineering by EIT

A podcast where we cover industry insights, emerging trends and practical knowledge across engineering disciplines.

Prefer to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? We’re on there too!

Episode seventeen: Bigger Picture of Your Engineering Degree and Career

In this episode, EIT Senior Lecturers, Dr. Milind Siddhpura and Dr. Arti Siddhpura take a step back to explore the bigger picture of building a successful engineering degree and career. They go beyond academics to discuss the skills, mindset, and industry awareness needed to stand out, sharing practical tips, real-world insights, and guidance on navigating your journey from student to professional engineer. Whether you’re just starting out or nearing graduation, this conversation offers valuable advice to help you make smarter decisions and maximise your opportunities in the engineering field.

In this episode, EIT’s Deputy Dean, Indumathi V, and Dr. Arti Siddhpura, Mechanical Engineering Course Coordinator & Senior Lecturer, dive into the experiences of women in engineering.

They share their journeys into the field, discuss workplace challenges and industry misconceptions, and explore ways to break barriers. Tune in for valuable insights, advice for aspiring female engineers, and a conversation on fostering greater gender diversity in engineering. Enjoy!

In this episode, EIT’s Dean, Steve Mackay and EIT’s Academic Public Affairs Manager Edwina Ross, discuss the impact of disruption in engineering, focusing on technology, AI, and political shifts.

They explore AI’s benefits and challenges, emphasizing the need for a human touch in its application. The hosts also address the rapid evolution of technology, stressing the importance of simplicity in design and cost-effective solutions. Lastly, they reflect on political disruption, urging listeners to approach change with a level head while remaining proactive in adapting to new opportunities.

In this episode, Dr. Ana Evangelista and Dr. Karoline Figueiredo EIT’s Civil Engineering Lecturers, explore how civil engineers can strengthen infrastructure against the growing threat of cyclones. They unpack lessons from recent cyclone damage in Australia, highlight the importance of resilient design and smart materials, and discuss how urban planning and policy can better support disaster preparedness. From critical infrastructure priorities to futureproofing with innovation, this episode offers practical insights for engineers tackling climate challenges.

In today’s episode, EIT’s Deputy Dean, Indumathi V, and Jillian Formentin,
Head of Engineering – APAC West with Wood, explore the real value of diversity in engineering.

They discuss what diversity truly means today, from gender and ethnicity to age and neurodiversity and why it’s vital for innovation. They share real-world examples of how inclusive teams improve outcomes, break down common misconceptions, and offer strategies for creating a more equitable engineering profession.

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In today’s episode Christabel Phiri, EIT’s Mechanical Engineering Lecturer and Berry Dikotla, EIT’s Recruitment and Business Development Manager, explore how engineering is transforming fire safety through technology and innovation.

They discuss how emerging technologies such as predictive modeling, AI, smart HVAC systems, and autonomous firefighting robots are reshaping fire safety. They also highlight the growing collaboration between mechanical engineers and first responders to drive innovation and develop smarter, more effective ways to predict, prevent, and respond to fires.

 

What skills are employers really looking for in engineers today? In this episode, EIT’s Dean Dr. Steve Mackay and Analytics & Strategy Manager Carolina Asenjo unpack the latest Engineering Skills & Job Insights Report, highlighting the top technical and soft skills driving demand across Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. From the most sought-after engineering disciplines to emerging job market trends, this episode offers valuable insights for working professionals, educators, and employers navigating a rapidly evolving industry. Plus, learn how to explore the data yourself using EIT’s new interactive jobs report dashboard.

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In this episode, EIT master’s student and mechanical engineer Benjamin (Benji) Ngosi joins Berry Dikotla, EIT’s Recruitment and Business Development Manager, to share what life looks like beyond the engineering job title.

They explore themes of identity, work-life integration and the personal sacrifices engineers often face. Benji reflects on balancing family, fitness and career, the role of support systems in navigating challenges, and how his definition of success has shifted from titles and money to impact, connection and legacy.

 

In this episode, Dr. Shasha Wang, EIT Civil Engineering Lecturer, and Carolina Asenjo, EIT’s Analytics & Strategy Manager, reflect on their personal journeys into engineering and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

They explore how engineering careers have evolved, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability and the balance between technical and soft skills. They also discuss the growing role of AI in education and industry, the need to question assumptions and the value of communication, teamwork and resilience in shaping successful engineering careers.

In this episode, Natalie Deng, EIT’s Digital Learning Manager and Siobhan Owen, EIT’s Human Resources Generalist unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way engineers search, apply, and prepare for jobs.

They explore how tools like AI resume builders, automated screening systems and interview assistants are changing recruitment, and how engineers can use these technologies ethically and strategically to stand out while staying true to their personal brand and professional story.

In this episode, EIT’s Dean Dr. Steve Mackay and Analytics & Strategy Manager Carolina Asenjo break down how they used AI, data analytics, and over 300,000 engineering job ads to uncover real market signals. They explore how AI can be used practically, not as hype, but as a powerful tool for analyzing global job trends, identifying in-demand engineering skills, and shaping industry-aligned engineering courses.

From CAD applications to the challenges of job data bias, course design, pricing, competencies, and the role of critical thinking in the age of AI, Steve and Carolina unpack what engineers and educators need to know today. It’s a candid, insightful look at how AI can support better decision-making, when used wisely.

In this episode, David Gajdus, EIT Recruitment Manager speaks with Dr. Abdulrahman Shaalan, ECT Industrial Automation Engineering Programme Leader, about how Industry 4.0 is reshaping engineering careers. They explore the growing global demand for automation professionals, why fewer engineers are entering the field, and how perceptions of modern manufacturing are changing.

Abdul shares practical advice on staying relevant, from building soft skills to taking short, structured courses. While David highlights EIT and ECT’s automation study pathways and the Engineering Jobs Report, which breaks down real job-market trends. A concise, insightful look at the future of automation and engineering education.

In this episode, EIT’s Civil and Structural Course Coordinator and On-campus Senior Lecturer, Dr. Ana Evangelista speaks with Brazilian-born engineer and EIT Master of Engineering (Electrical Systems) graduate, Adriana Conceicao, about her journey from international study to working on major projects with Rio Tinto in Australia. They explore the challenges of relocating, starting a career as a young female engineer, and navigating real-world engineering projects in energy, grid reliability, and decarbonization.

Adriana shares practical insights on building confidence, finding mentors, and applying the skills she gained at EIT to succeed in the workplace. Dr. Ana highlights how EIT prepares students for global engineering careers and the support available to help them thrive. A concise, inspiring look at resilience, practical learning, and engineering in action.

In this episode, On-Campus Lecturer EIT Master of Engineering (Civil: Structural) and Course Coordinator Dr. Ana Evangelista joins environmental engineering expert Dr. Karoline Figueiredo and Master of Engineering (Civil: Structural) EIT student Rahul Deo for a thorough discussion of the engineering foundations behind modern subdivision development.

Together, they unpack what really happens long before any house emerges on a construction site. While most people see walls going up and streets taking shape, civil engineers know that months of technical planning, modelling, and coordination occur behind the scenes.

In this episode, EIT On-Campus Lecturer and Course Coordinator Dr. Arti Siddhpura along with Engineers Australia WA President, Allison Selman, explore the critical field of asset integrity, a discipline essential to ensuring the safety, reliability, and long-term performance of some of the world’s largest and most complex engineering projects. From energy infrastructure to large-scale industrial facilities, they discuss what it truly takes to design, maintain, and operate assets that underpin industries, economies, and communities.

In this episode, EIT CEO, Dr Steve Mackay, On-campus Lecturer, Dr. Ana Evangelista, and EIT Lecturer and Head of Strategy Nexus Resilience, Dr. Anthony Turton explore the often-overlooked role of water in national security.

Drawing on insights from both Australia and South Africa, the discussion unpacks how water security underpins economic stability, energy production, food systems, and social cohesion. From major infrastructure to global water risks, the episode highlights why water must be seen as a critical pillar of national resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.

In this episode, EIT Lecturer and Consultant Dr. Hadi Harb and EIT Graduate Diana Swartz break down what it really takes to manage automation projects successfully.

They explore the key differences between automation and traditional projects, walk through the full project lifecycle, and highlight common mistakes that lead to delays and cost overruns. From managing technical complexity and stakeholder expectations to navigating procurement challenges and commissioning, the discussion offers practical, real-world insights.
Perfect for professionals and students alike, this episode delivers actionable advice to help you approach automation projects with confidence and clarity.

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