At Origin, we’re investing in the future of energy through our graduate and undergraduate programs. As part of the program, graduates learn on-the-job, rotate roles, receive professional and technical training and receive mentoring to develop skills outside of their core fields.
Our Early Talent Specialist, Angela Gledstone, says “From the beginning of the three-year program, high potential graduates are mentored and challenged to solve the complex energy problems facing Australia. More than 70 graduates have been hired by Origin over the past five years, and many have gone on to achieve successful careers within Origin or the broader energy sector.”
We sat down with six university graduates who are currently taking part in the program to hear their experiences, challenges, successes and how the program is preparing them for a career in energy.
Connor Higgs
Graduate Engineer – Workover and Well Integrity
“I studied mechanical engineering and mathematics at the University of Wollongong. I was interested in the energy industry and liked the way Origin’s three-year program diversified roles, so I decided to move to Queensland to pursue this opportunity. I moved into my new place in Brisbane two days before starting work at Origin.
Despite the steep learning curve, I’m working with an extremely knowledgeable and supportive team, so it’s been a very enjoyable experience. I’m preparing to take over a workover rig soon – a specially designed rig that removes and replaces downhole equipment in our gas wells within the Surat Basin. Although it is a lot of responsibility, I am receiving a lot of training and am excited to learn from the experienced people who operate the equipment on the rigs.”
Lian Advincula
Graduate Engineer – Engineering Services
“While I was studying chemical engineering at the University of Queensland, I took part in an internship at Origin and enjoyed the experience, so when the opportunity to take part in the grad program came up I immediately applied.
Having the chance to rotate across different roles and disciplines is one of the great things about the program. Graduates get the opportunity to experience different jobs in different teams and figure out where their passions lie and where they’d like to grow. There’s also a collaborative and inclusive work culture here, where people from different backgrounds and skillsets work together to achieve more.
My goal is to use this experience to build my technical and competency skills in order to become chartered and to receive formal recognition of my qualifications and competence as an engineer.
Tyson Van
Finance Graduate – Coal Seam Gas Marketing
“With a Bachelor of Finance degree from the University of Adelaide, I was unsure what career path I wanted to pursue and came across the Origin Graduate Program. There was a great opportunity for professional development, including the opportunity to work across different roles and teams within the company, which motivated me to apply.
During my first year in the program, I worked for the Corporate Accounting Team and for my second year, I moved up to Brisbane to work within the Coal Seam Gas Marketing Team, where I am currently a gas portfolio analyst. As part of my role at Origin, I help manage its physical portfolio of gas between its production engineers and its external markets. The work environment is very dynamic, and I enjoy the day-to-day challenges and working with team members who are knowledgeable and insightful. I would like to lead a team one day and I see that as a possible path down the road at Origin.”
Shay Al-kes Batras
Graduate Engineer – Engineering Services
“As someone with a chemical engineering background, I have developed a real passion for the oil and gas industry. Prior to taking part in the Origin Graduate Program, I graduated with honours degrees in both engineering and biotechnology and undertook an internship at the gas and chemicals engineering company BOC. Origin has a great reputation as a leader within the energy sector, so I was excited to join the company.
My first impressions of the company were great. It was a warm welcome not only from the team I would be working in, but from others across the business. My leaders and colleagues have been supportive and encouraging. If you have any questions or issues they’ll always make time to address them. I am currently working on a variety of tasks, including asset reliability and improvement, change management, and root cause analysis. You get a sense that everyone here works hard because they love what they do. I hope to use this experience to grow professionally and one day become a leader.”
Ab Menon
Ab Menon, Graduate Engineer – Engineering Services (East)
“As a newcomer and fresh graduate, it’s easy to feel out of place, especially when you’re joining teams that have been working together for years. But starting out in the Origin graduate program, it didn’t take long for me to feel like a valued member of the team. I studied electrical engineering with a dual degree in mathematics at the University of Queensland and during my studies, I had to work on a lot of team-based projects. One of Origin’s core values is ‘Work as one team, one Origin’, which people really embrace here, and I enjoy working in that team environment to realise a common goal.
One of the highlights so far is that I’ve been out on sites and seen first-hand equipment and infrastructure I’ve previously only read and studied theory about, like high voltage transformers and industrial motors, so that’s been a really interesting experience. My focus right now is building electrical engineering knowledge within the Engineering Services Asset East Team, but I’m looking forward to rotating across other parts of the business to explore my interests and build my skills and knowledge.”
Troy Goldsworthy
Graduate Engineer – Production
“This is my first year in Origin’s Graduate Program, where I work in the Production Team and help manage the production and optimisation of gas wells so they operate cost-effectively and efficiently. I enjoy the work culture here. It is a dynamic and supportive environment where people work together collaboratively. As I move through the program, I’ll have the opportunity to step into a variety of roles and teams, so I’ll experience a lot and complete the program with a wide understanding of the business.
After studying Petroleum and Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, I became very interested in coal seam gas operations, which led me to apply to Origin’s graduate program. I love being a part of a business that has operations across the energy supply chain; from gas exploration and production to energy generation and retail. I’m fortunate to work with great leaders – most of them have been with Origin for years and have a lot of industry knowledge, so it’s great to learn from them.”
Through our Early Talent Programs we mentor and challenge high potential graduates to help solve the complex issues facing Australia’s energy future – from day one. With on-the-job experiences, skills training and access to mentoring, these programs will help candidates develop skills, knowledge and behaviours that will provide a platform to launch their careers. Applications for our 2024 intake open soon.
