Mipac has a history of attracting the highest calibre engineering students and graduates and its current pool is no exception.
“We actively recruit students to do vacation work and encourage them to stay on with us during their final years at university,” Mipac Managing Director Eddie DeRivera says.
“During this time we mentor them and introduce them to the various areas within the company so that by the time they achieve graduate engineer status, they already have an appreciation of the various types of work we do.
“It is also important to contribute to our industry so we make sure our students and graduates are given as many development opportunities as possible.”
Lachlan Rogers is soon to complete a dual degree in Engineering (Mechatronics) and Science (Physics) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He joined Mipac in November 2011.
“I found out about Mipac through its web site and approached them for a vacation placement at the end of my third year of study,” he says.
“I was looking to complete my industry work experience but also looking for a company which could provide a job beyond that. I have continued to work part time while I complete my degrees.
“Throughout my time at Mipac I have had the opportunity to work on both DCS and PLC control systems. Getting industry experience on real projects allows me to apply what I’ve learned at university and to see how things are accomplished in practice. I’ve been lucky to learn from a group of engineers with a variety of skills and backgrounds. What we do here is diverse and interesting.”
Bianca Crowe came into contact with Mipac because of the company’s sponsorship of The Electrically Based Engineering Student Society (EBESS) at the University of Queensland.
“Mipac approached EBESS seeking vacation students so I willingly applied, joining the ranks two weeks after Lachlan.
“I have been spoiled with high-quality knowledge from my mentors. While completing my thesis, principal control systems engineer Bruce Northway taught me an enormous amount of control theory and, right from the start, senior systems engineer Kevin Kropf was so willing to explain matters to me in detail. I’m happy to say that systems engineer Tim Hausler gave in to my constant questions and taught me about the actual process involved in process control.
“I also appreciate that I receive mentoring in non-technical fields such as time management, communication skills and professional expectations of engineers.
“Mipac is driven by creating the best-possible outcomes for our clients. I’m learning from the best.”
Bianca, who graduates from a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical engineering) this month [June 2013] recommends Mipac to other students, including Doug Morrison.
“I was interested in control systems throughout university,” he says. “Bianca started here about a year before I did and told me about her work and the company. When she told me Mipac was looking to hire a graduate, I jumped at the chance, joining in February 2013.”
Doug graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering [Electrical and Aerospace] with a University Medal from the University of Queensland in late 2012.
“The people and the ‘small company’ atmosphere coupled with the large-scale, international engineering projects we undertake make Mipac a great place to work,” he says.
“Since my first day I have been given interesting and challenging work. I appreciate being able to do design, mainly DCS design and configuration, which is not something many larger engineering companies would let you do at graduate level.
“The senior engineers have always been eager to help and teach, which has allowed me to learn lots of new skills and progress quickly. Mipac offers a great working atmosphere, plenty of support and opportunities for students and graduates to do interesting and fast-paced engineering work.”
