Kai Ho

What's your job about?

Powerlink is a Transmission Network Service Provider which owns, develops, operates and maintains Queensland’s high voltage electricity transmission network. I am currently working in transmission line asset strategies as my second rotation.

My team in lines strategies monitors and analyses the conditions of the transmission line assets and initiate replacement/refurbishment projects before potential lines component failures take place.
One of my first tasks in the team is to provide an overview of asset conditions matched by any existing projects to identify line asset risks that have not been adequately addressed.

I also help my colleagues to investigate potential gaps in asset data and to look for ways to fill in the gaps.

I am currently learning the process of initiating projects, starting from performing condition assessment of an asset group, acquiring data from our asset management system and potentially making trips to regional areas to inspect the condition of those assets.

A typical day in the lines strategies team would involve attending team meetings and trainings, working through the tasks on my list and having discussions with my manager and colleagues.

What's your background?

Growing up in Hong Kong, I completed a language degree and had a few years of work experience there before coming to Australia for further education in translation and interpreting. I have been living in Australia ever since. 

I only started my engineering degree in my mid-30s as a mature age student after completing a bridging course to make up my lack of maths and physics in my high school years. Prior to that, I had no engineering or trade experience.

After I graduated from electrical engineering at Central Queensland University, I worked for a train building company (in a graduate program) for an entire year before joining the development program in Powerlink.

Working for Powerlink as a development engineer has been an awesome experience and I look forward to building my career in the power industry.

Could someone with a different background do your job?
I would say “Yes”. Anyone with a passion for the power industry, an engineering degree or an open and inclusive mindset could be suitable.

Characters and skills for the job include:

• Personality and teamwork are just as important as qualification and hard skills.
• Contributing to socially responsible corporate culture and a drive to deliver for all Queenslanders.
• A focus on soft skills development, including communication and leadership skills.
• Embrace change and manage risks.
• An appetite for technical knowledge and exposure, including those outside the discipline of your qualification and out of your comfort zone.
• An analytical mindset.
• Ask questions, ask for feedback, and provide feedback.
• Flag concerns and potential issues to colleagues and supervisors.
• Foster an inclusive team culture and actively participate in team activities.
• Learning procedures, processes and a variety of applications (and documentation of those learnings).

What's the coolest thing about your job?

This is probably one of the best jobs out there in the power industry in Australia for engineering graduates. The benefits of working for Powerlink are:

• The quality of the workforce: you will be working with some of the best experts in the industry on a daily basis, and a wealth of experience within the organisation to call on.
• The exposure: the skills, knowledge and experience acquired are hard to find elsewhere; being at the forefront of energy transition; plenty of training and site visit opportunities.
• Work-life balance: 9-day fortnight work and flexible work from home arrangements

What are the limitations of your job?

The dozens of rotation options offered within the development programs are diverse and niche. Each function and role presents a unique challenge and exposure. It can be challenging to adjust and manage your expectations at times. The upside is that you get to focus on a niche area of power transmission in each rotation. The downside is six months rotations are relatively short and you are unlikely to get much exposure from other areas within the rotations. 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

My three pieces of advice to myself as an engineering student would be:

• Seek industry placement experience: the best way to prepare for an engineering career is to work and be immersed in the industry, at the same time building professional connections.
• Engage in fun and hands-on projects (on your own or with others): projects are good way to showcase your passion and capabilities to develop new skills.
• Find a mentor in the industry: advice and guidance from people who have walked the same path before you, learn from the experience and insights from others.