Ready to turn your engineering studies into a career? 🎓

Join the ECU Student Guild for Career Connect, an evening designed specifically for School of Engineering students looking to build their professional confidence, connect with industry, and gain practical insights into the transition from university to the workplace.

Hear directly from experts in engineering, research, sustainability and recruitment as they share practical advice on launching your career, standing out to employers, and navigating the opportunities available across the engineering sector.

✨ What’s on the agenda?

🎤 Hear from Industry Professionals
Get real-world insights and practical advice from experienced professionals about careers, recruitment, workplace expectations, and making the transition from study to employment.

💼 Get Career-Ready
Learn what employers and HR professionals look for when recruiting graduates and early-career professionals, and how you can put your best foot forward.

🤝 Network & Connect
Meet fellow engineering students and industry professionals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

🍽️ Free Food & Drinks
Enjoy a light dinner and drinks throughout the evening.

🌟 Meet Our Speakers

You’ll hear from three experienced professionals who will share practical insights into careers, recruitment, workplace expectations, and making the transition from engineering study to the workforce.

James Rowbottam
James graduated from ECU in 2014 and is an experienced HR Advisor with a decade of experience across construction, insurance, and high-risk operational environments.

Known for delivering practical, people-focused solutions, James guides leaders through employee and industrial relations matters and works to strengthen workplace culture within fast-paced project settings.

James currently supports the Alkimos Desalination Project with ACCIONA, contributing to HR operations for a large and diverse project workforce. His leadership capability is also shaped by his long-standing service as a Corporal in the Australian Army Reserve.

Dr Faisal Awan — Research Engineer (Energy), CSIRO

Dr Faisal Awan is a Research Engineer at CSIRO with more than 10 years of experience spanning applied research, laboratory operations, and engineering education.

Faisal holds a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from Edith Cowan University and specialises in subsurface energy systems, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen geological storage, reservoir engineering, and experimental core analysis.

Throughout his career, Faisal has supported multidisciplinary research projects, managed advanced laboratory facilities, and published in high-impact international journals. He is passionate about translating research into practical engineering solutions and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

Rebecah Ettridge

Founder & Director, Naturaliste Solutions

Rebecah Ettridge is the Founder and Director of Naturaliste Solutions, supporting organisations across the mining, resources, energy and corporate sectors to meet evolving sustainability and climate reporting requirements.

She works with clients to strengthen governance, manage sustainability risks, improve stakeholder outcomes, and develop practical strategies that deliver both compliance and long-term business value.

Drawing on extensive experience in sustainability, climate change and corporate governance, Rebecah has helped organisations prepare for regulatory change, improve reporting, implement management systems, and embed sustainability into business decision-making. She founded Naturaliste Solutions with a simple goal: to make sustainability practical, achievable and valuable for businesses of all sizes.

Ammar Cheema & Matthew Bateman

Co-Founders, Six Solutions

Ammar and Matthew will present together, sharing their journey of building Six Solutions and their experiences leading complex engineering projects across the mining, marine and infrastructure sectors. They'll discuss engineering leadership, entrepreneurship, project delivery and the opportunities available to emerging engineers.

Ammar Cheema

Co-Founder & General Manager, Six Solutions | ECU Engineering Graduate

Ammar is an ECU Engineering graduate and Co-Founder and General Manager of Six Solutions. He has progressed through project engineering and leadership roles delivering complex structural remediation projects across the mining, marine and infrastructure sectors.

Today, Ammar oversees the company's operations, commercial planning, project delivery and client relationships, bringing practical insight into engineering leadership, business growth and project execution.

Matthew Bateman

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Six Solutions

Matthew is a proud Bundjalung man and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Six Solutions. With more than a decade of industry experience, he has progressed from working on the tools to leading multidisciplinary teams on major structural remediation projects.

Matthew is committed to growing a technically capable Indigenous-owned business while creating genuine employment and development opportunities. He is passionate about developing future industry leaders and delivering innovative engineering solutions.

📅 Date

Thursday, 13 August 2026

🕔 Time

5:00pm – 8:00pm

5:00pm – 5:30pm: Student arrival
5:30pm – 7:30pm: Presentations and networking
7:30pm – 8:00pm: Final wrap-up

📍 Location

ECU Joondalup Campus – Building 7, Room 102

💰 Cost

FREE for enrolled ECU students.

⚠️ Spots are strictly limited for catering purposes, so secure your free ticket early!

Come along, connect with industry, build your professional network, and get practical insights to help you take the next step from engineering study into your future career. 🚀

Contact the host of School of Engineering Careers Connect

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