Student Highlights
Gaining employment before graduation

Jessica is in her fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) but already has one foot in the industry.

“During my second year, I was introduced to Zenviron through a guest lecture.

“I contacted the company shortly after and arranged to complete my industry experience with them over the summer,” Jessica said.

Zenviron is a Newcastle-based plant contractor specialising in the design and construction of large-scale renewable energy projects in both Australia and New Zealand.

Following her placement, Jessica was fortunate to be offered an ongoing position with the organisation.

“My role at Zenviron is within the electrical engineering team, where I have worked on several projects, including the upcoming 396 MW wind farm at Rye Park, featuring Australia’s biggest turbines to date,” she said.

Jessica is very proud to have obtained a job in the industry at such an early stage of her degree.

“I believe this has contributed to my academic success at the University,” she said.

While Jessica is flourishing in her role and in her studies, she wasn’t always so confident about her career options.

“Due to my passion for mathematics, I was a great problem solver and was always told at school I was destined to be an engineer.

“However, I thought I wouldn’t be accepted after I dropped Engineering Studies during the HSC!

“But since I grew up in the area, I was accepted to the University through the Schools Recommendation Scheme,” Jessica said.

Jessica has found that this degree allowed her to work on several interesting projects such as building a solar desalinator from recycled materials; designing a biomass plant using animal by-products; and investigating the heat transfer within a Stirling engine.

She also praises both her teachers and peers in providing such a positive experience.

“This degree introduced me to many inspiring academics who have truly motivated myself and my cohort.

“My peers have also played a critical role in my degree, with COVID-19 testing our online learning skills.

“I would not have been able to achieve what I have today without the support of my peers and believe I have made lifelong friends throughout this degree,” she said.

Jessica is proud to be one of the University of Newcastle’s first Renewable Energy Engineers and is committed to solving the next generation’s energy problems.

“I want to improve the sustainability of our future.

“I am determined to make a difference in the energy crisis we are facing, and this degree is the first step in my career to do so,” Jessica said.

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Jessica Haugh

Jessica is in her fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) but already has one foot in the industry.

I am determined to make a difference in the energy crisis we are facing.