We are so lucky that Chemical Engineering graduate and Chevron Engineer Stephanie Mather maintains a strong link to UWA.

Stephanie maintains her connection to the School of Engineering as a member of the Chemical Engineering Industry Advisory Panel. Read about Stephanie's journey, in her own words, from UWA graduate to her dream career.

After completing my degree, I started my career with Chevron, where the many hours dedicated to my thermodynamic unit came in handy for my first role, which focussed on modelling changes to LNG facilities.

In 2014, I went Fly-In-Fly-Out, spending four years on Barrow Island for the commissioning and start-up of the Gorgon LNG Project. This position gave me a lot of hands-on experience and familiarity with equipment and instrumentation and an added benefit was the time off to travel - I got to see Uluru and enjoy several overseas trips.

Then I finished my FIFO time in production support, which was made up of  several hours each day looking at trends, working with operations to optimise the front-end of the facility.

It was the huge amounts of data we were trying to consume at work that inspired me to pursue post graduate study in data science - so I could figure out more efficient ways to process data and bring the right information straight to the person who needed it.

After FIFO, I joined our Digital Acceleration team. One of the projects I am most proud to have worked on was the extension of iPhones to our frontline workforce, a technological innovation for our industry that has transformed how our work is done.

As Conduct of Operations Advisor, I provide the systems and design and implement the processes required to perform work in a disciplined and safe manner across all of Chevron Australia’s facilities. I relish utilising my understanding of chemical engineering, process safety and digital systems (within which most work is executed!) in my everyday work life.

While I am busy with my career, my connection back to UWA is as strong as ever. The seven years I spent at UWA was certainly memorable, and I am always proud to be back on campus as an industry representative.

 

Through my involvement with UWA and the industry more broadly, I hope to contribute to the future of the engineering profession - one that is inclusive of all people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

One ongoing privilege I have is to be able to advocate for non-traditional families, as a committee member for both the Women PetroTech and Pride Networks within Chevron Australia. When we have workplaces that are more inclusive, we can engage and retain the best people for the job opportunities that come up.

I feel so fortunate to be given the opportunity to contribute to university events and mentoring programs, and love to give insights to students about the energy industry.