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A trusted team leader and passionate mental health advocate.
Originally from Wollongong, on the east coast of Australia, Emma joined the team at Bradken’s foundry in Wodonga, Australia in 2017 as a Graduate Metallurgist fresh out of university with a double degree in Materials and Chemical Engineering. She took the leap and headed to a brand-new city for the job, leaving the comfort of family and friends behind to “start from scratch”.
Conversation Starter
In addition to her operational role, Emma has also taken on the voluntary position of Mental Health First Aider for the Wodonga site. She’s one of six employees there to have been trained to spot the signs of mental ill-health in individuals through listening and observing behaviour, and to provide support through conversation and guidance to available resources.
“I'm an empathetic person and can often tell by watching people’s movements, their emotions and how they're talking whether they might need someone to listen. It doesn’t have to be anything major - I’ve spoken to a few people about different things they’ve had going on and sometimes they just need to sit and chat just to let out their feelings. A lot of people still don’t like to open up, and that’s fine, we just make sure they know we’re there to lend an ear if they need one or point them in the right direction if they need more support.”
…don’t be turned off by the idea that only men can work in a foundry environment. That’s not how it is – new systems, processes and equipment are levelling the playing field, so if it’s what you want, go for it.
Follow your passion
Emma’s advice to anyone hoping to start their career in a graduate role as she did is to be hungry for opportunity, ask lots of questions and use your initiative. “If a machine is broken, it’s the people that go grab a broom and start cleaning or look to the next task rather than standing around waiting for instructions that people want in their team.”
And for young women she says simply to follow your passion. “I was the only female on the shopfloor when I started and I’m five foot tall so yes, it was a challenge at first but it was what I wanted to do. Just don’t be turned off by the idea that only men can work in a foundry environment. That’s not how it is – new systems, processes and equipment are levelling the playing field, so if it’s what you want, go for it.”
CAREERS AT BRADKEN
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