There’s no greater feeling than knowing somebody has your back while you’re studying.
At least, that was the case for University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) power engineering student, Luke Brandt, who was one of five engineering students recently awarded a Future of Energy Engineering Scholarship through Energy Queensland.
Mr Brandt, who is in his third year of study at the University of Southern Queensland, said it was an emotional moment when he learned he’d been successful.
“I think I cried a little bit, I’m not going to lie,” Mr Brandt said.
“It was just such a stress relief to know that I can focus more on my studies and less on the financials.
“Just knowing that someone else apart from my family – a whole company – has invested in me as a person; it's really good to see that there are companies that are willing to invest into the people.”
Mr Brandt said the support from his family had helped him through his studies, but it was also a bit of sibling rivalry that inspired him to study engineering in the first place.
“My brother was an electrician and I think I just wanted to one-up him, so naturally I had to go for engineering,” he joked.
“But I’m looking forward to a lot of work with the electricity grid and making sure everything's nice and safe, and hopefully we can all work together help build a good, smart grid for the future.”
Another Future of Energy Engineering Scholarship recipient was fourth-year electrical and electronic engineering student, Chase Richardson.
Mr Richardson said it was an honour to be accepted for this scholarship, especially as a mature-age student.
“It's been a long road to get to this point; I started off as an electrical cable joiner and decided to go back and do further study,” Mr Richardson said.
“I really enjoy the problem-solving elements of electrical engineering and the opportunities that are now becoming available, especially with the energy transition that's upon us.
“Taking on engineering takes quite a bit of effort and obviously a lot of time. The scholarship allows me to concentrate more on my studies with less worrying about financial constraints that come along with carrying out a degree – especially as a mature age student.”
Both Mr Richardson and Mr Brandt became interested in exploring further opportunities with Energy Queensland after completing vacation programs in recent years, thanks to the strong industry partnership between the University of Southern Queensland and Energy Queensland.
They credited their vacation programs as being the inspiration behind applying for the Future of Energy Engineering Scholarships.
“The Energy Queensland Vacation Program was the most eye-opening thing I could have done for my studies. It was amazing just seeing everyone so motivated, so disciplined, and so passionate about what they were doing for industry,” Mr Brandt said.
“At the University of Southern Queensland there are so many opportunities for students to get involved with industry. When the opportunities do arise, grab them with both hands,” Mr Richardson said.
Energy Queensland Chief Engineer Peter Price said the University of Southern Queensland had always provided Energy Queensland with outstanding candidates for their graduate program.
“These five successful Future of Energy Engineering Scholarship holders will play a fundamental role in designing the infrastructure to support the massive growth in renewable energy across Queensland,” Mr Price said.
“Many of these students have already had time working alongside our engineering teams – they have seen the challenges and speed at which the electricity industry is evolving and transition through the addition of renewables, electric vehicles and storage.
“These students, who also make up this inaugural cohort, will play a fundamental role in designing the infrastructure to support increased network capability as we work to deliver a net zero future.”
Find out more about studying Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland.
