Elizabeth Whitehead

Graduate Energy Engineer
Bachelor of Design, Mechanical Engineering Systems

Career Journey

I decided to study mechanical engineering systems at uni when I realised that I enjoy the intersection of math and design. After that, I found myself interested in many different areas of engineering, so consulting at ACOR felt like the perfect way to explore a variety of projects and disciplines. After a year in the Energy team, I’ve already worked on projects I never would have expected, and it’s made me excited and curious about the different directions my career could take in the future.

What is the most satisfying thing about your role?

The most satisfying thing about my role is seeing the direct impact our work has on clients. Whether it’s navigating complex situations or supporting large project workloads, it’s incredibly rewarding to see that people feel supported and happy with the work that we’ve done for them.

What do ACOR's Values mean to you?

ACOR’s EPICCC values (Excellence, Passion, Integrity, Courage, Collaboration, and Caring (EPICCC!) – are important because it brings value into the work that we deliver. A supportive workplace culture leads to better engineering outcomes because it allows us to inspire each other and exchange ideas. It also means that we can have pride in knowing that we always strive to deliver quality work.

What advice would you give to an entry-level graduate?

Asking questions makes you better. You are not expected to know everything. Get clarity on the things you need so that you can do your best work, but also make sure you listen to the answers and put them into practice. I’ve also realised that senior people in the company are very approachable and genuinely want you to succeed. Make yourself known, observe how others engage with clients and colleagues, and be proactive in learning from the people around you. It makes a huge difference.

Harry Cordery

Graduate Electrical Engineer
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Electrical and Electronics

Career Journey

I began with ACOR as an Electrical Engineer in 2025 following the completion of my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics engineering. Initially the job was studying of standards, references, and design principles, but as I learned I was handed tasks, projects, designs, and client queries. This initial transition from studying to consulting allowed me to approach tasks and engineering problems with an understanding of not only the requirements of design, but also an understanding and appreciation for the process of fact finding and information processing that is a fixture through every engineer’s career.

What is the most satisfying thing about your role?

Electrical engineering has so many niches in which it is possible to problem solve and grow in competence, with lighting and power design representing two broad umbrellas referred to within industry. The chance to learn the ins and outs of this multivariate field and understand more of what makes up our constructed environment is immensely satisfying to me, not to mention seeing what we design being constructed.

What do ACOR's Values mean to you?

These values are well defined cornerstones for introspection and improvement. While they are not specific metrics, they are broadly useful tools for gauging development and informing personal professional improvement. I personally believe that the introspection that comes with gauging against them is a positive activity, both for self-improvement and for self-recognition.

What advice would you give to an entry-level graduate?

What we studied in university does not fully prepare a person to be an engineer. It makes us capable of the mathematics required and learning the information that comes with the job.

It is daunting how underqualified you’ll feel for a while; imposter syndrome is a normal thing to experience when you’ve studied for upwards of 4 years and you have no idea what to do.

To this end, you will be strongly supported while you learn the job, and I would implore any graduate to lean heavily on this support. No question is silly or embarrassing – everyone around you knows that you’re learning, and we all know that you can only learn by asking and being taught or shown.

Wesley Faulkner

Graduate Acoustics Engineer
Bachelor of Creative Technology (Audio Engineering and Sound Production)

Career Journey

I began my journey with ACOR as an Acoustic Engineer in March 2024 after completing my Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering. The path to a career in Acoustics is quite unconventional, and the discipline itself is often misunderstood. My background as a musician, combined with a profound interest in the physics of sound, its behaviour in various environments, and its impact on people's quality of life, naturally led me to this field.

What is the most satisfying thing about your role?

The most satisfying part of my role is solving various complex problems. Acoustics plays a crucial role in the engineering world, providing us with opportunities to work on diverse projects such as aircraft noise, speech privacy for Defence and Government, firing ranges and weapons noise, mechanical and environmental noise, vibration, and structural dynamics, to name a few.

What do ACOR's Values mean to you?

ACOR's values are designed to support professional growth. They provide a framework for success and ensure you enjoy the journey and environment of your progression. I am proud to be part of a company that values the people who make ACOR what it is.

What advice would you give to an entry-level graduate?

Starting something new always makes you vulnerable. However, this isn't a bad thing; it provides an opportunity to build trust and focus your energy on the areas you are most interested in.

Joshua Borgeaud

Graduate Mechanical Engineer
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Mechanical Engineering

Career Journey

I graduated from QUT in mid-2023 and started the long search for a graduate position for the start of 2024. I spent some time doing casual work for an acoustic engineering firm before applying for ACOR's graduate program later that year. After going through the process and the interviews with my eventual line leaders, I was offered a position in March 2024.

What is the most satisfying thing about your role?

Working in mechanical services is a role that has an actual, tangible end product; being able to walk through a building or look at construction drawings and say, "I did that" or "I designed that" is a pretty cool feeling.

What do ACOR's Values mean to you?

I was asked this in my interview, and my response was that a company's values and how much they focus on them would significantly impact the work environment for employees. A company with poor values or no dedication to their values will not be a good workplace. However, a company with good values and focus will have a much better employee experience. Over the time I've spent at ACOR, these values have been promoted and encouraged constantly, and the result is a group of people you enjoy working with and seeing in the office.

What advice would you give to an entry-level graduate?

Be open to learning, being wrong, receiving feedback, and taking the feedback on board. Having the right attitude towards learning is crucial; acknowledge that, early on, everyone will know more than you do, so try and get as much information out of them as possible. As my team leader says, you can fix gaps in technical knowledge, but you can't fix attitude.

Olivia Johnston

Graduate Project Manager
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Sustainable Systems Engineering

Career Journey

I graduated from RMIT in 2023 and started with ACOR in March 2024 as a Graduate Project Manager in the Design Management Team.

What is the most satisfying thing about your role?

In my role, you get to be involved in many aspects of project delivery. Coordinating with many disciplines internally and engaging with clients and sub-consultants externally gives unique insights and a range of skills that will translate well across many career paths.

What do ACOR's Values mean to you?

To me, ACOR's values represent the fundamental principles guiding how we operate and deliver. Our values set expectations for behaviour, culture, and output; from my experience, everyone in the company actively upholds them, and they are embedded in the every day at ACOR.

What advice would you give to an entry-level graduate?

Embrace continual learning, and your degree is just the foundation. Be open to (and seek) feedback, stay curious, work on your soft skills, and seek experiences that will give you new perspectives.

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