What name are you known by and why (nickname)?

Hi, I’m Sharon. Sometimes I’m known as Shazza. I’m from Australia and abbreviating people’s name is a big part of the culture here.

Tell us about your role and how you became interested in engineering.

I started at Weir as part of the graduate program and I have since moved into an Area Manager role. I help support our customers in the Pacific Islands (New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji). My role involves working very closely with our customers - troubleshooting and optimising equipment and supplying solutions by drawing on the great depth of knowledge the people in Weir have to offer.

I have always had an interest in science and maths, but engineering wasn’t something that I wanted to do until I went to an engineering camp in high school. I was introduced to all types of engineering and met some amazing female engineers and university students who really convinced me that engineering was a pathway into so many different roles and industries.

What’s the most exciting/innovative project you’ve worked on?

I did some analysis work on the results from a new cyclone configuration trial. This had never been done before in an industry setting. It was great being able to work on this project knowing that the results we were seeing and the conclusions that we were able to draw from the data were new and unique and added to our understanding of cyclone operation.

What would you say to other young people who may be considering a career in engineering?

Find opportunities where you can experience engineering and engineering environments as well as meet people who are engineers. Speaking to engineers and getting to know the variety of jobs they do will really give you a greater insight into the engineering profession and what pathways you can take.

There are so many roles out there which might not be considered typical engineering roles but use a lot of the skills from engineering such as problem solving, analysis and critical thinking. Be open minded about the jobs or opportunities you look at and do a bit of exploring. You don’t always have to decide the industry and role right away.

What makes you feel that you can be yourself and belong at Weir?

The support I get from the people around me. The amazing group of individuals I work with support me both with work and also when things come up in my personal life. I have always had opportunities to learn from their experiences and get some life advice too. The conversations around how to solve an issue on site are just as important as how do you balance life and work.

The social aspect is another thing that gives me a great sense of belonging. There are many groups within Weir where I can connect with others, like the Weir Women’s Network and the Graduate Program. These groups of people really allow you to speak openly about important topics, and work towards changes you want to see.

How do you see your future career?

At this stage, I’m not sure yet. I’m still trying to work that out. I would like to remain technical and hands-on but continue learning, exploring and challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone.

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Weir. Why is it important to you?

Sustainability has always been something that I highly value. I want there to be a future for us and for the generations to come. I want the brilliant things that nature and people have created to be around for a very long time.

The resources sector has a large role to play in sustainability because natural resources contribute to numerous renewable technologies. I believe that this industry will grow and change to a more circular economy, and I want to help in this transition.

What is your greatest achievement/most exciting thing you’ve done outside of work?

For me, it would be my sporting hobbies. I competed in dragon boating for over 10 years and in that time I was able to compete at both a national and international level. The sport taught me a lot about teamwork, comradeship and the importance of persistence and hard work.

I then went into martial arts - studying Hapkido, weapon systems, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing. I have achieved my provisional black belt in Hapkido and am working towards my black belt in both this and weapons. Physical activity has always been a good way for me to reset mentally.