Mentee Profiles

Discipline: Engineering

Location: The Hub, Clyde - Level 2

Contact email or number: peter.sofatzis@transport.nsw.gov.au, 0477 167 836

Job title: Mechanical Engineering Cadet

Work experience: I am currently placed in Sydney Trains, Engineering and Systems Integrity, Rolling Stock and Mechanical Design (RSMD), Brake Systems and Testing. My work involves many technical aspects of train brakes, pneumatic supply and safety systems. I also have the opportunity to collaborate with the wider RSMD team. This has involved learning about a range of interesting projects, visiting various depots and contractor offices and getting my hands dirty with a variety of mechanical testing.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I'm looking for a well rounded mentor with insight into the transport industry. I would like a mentor interested in discussing and refining my career aspirations and guiding me in making wise career decisions to achieve them.

Discipline: Business

Location: 470 Pitt Street Haymarket, Sydney

Contact email or number: robert.blanch3@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Business - Communications and Marketing Graduate

Work experience: Prior to starting my role in the TfNSW Graduate program I was employed as a Marketing Coordinator for McMahons Transport. In this role I was responsible for creating digital business to business marketing material, creating email campaigns and analysing the success of these campaigns. I also curated three social media accounts for the business across multiple platforms. Before commencing at McMahons I owned 14Manning, a cafe located on the South Coast of NSW in Kiama. Starting the cafe from scratch with my partner, we employed 26 staff and were responsible for the daily running of the business, marketing the business and all finances associated with the business. Running my own business was a career highlight before starting with Transport, though balancing full time university and operating a business certainly had its challenges. I was also a McDonalds manager for over five years. This experience was invaluable, equipping me with a range of transferable skills. I was responsible for leading teams of up to 150 staff, rostering, customer service, achieving KPI's, staff development and the daily running of stores. This was a challenging role that required the ability to not only multi task but to prioritise tasks depending on level of importance and when they needed to be done by.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for a mentor who is able to help me develop my skills in the communications sector while also help me gain a greater understanding of the public sector and how to navigate this space for future career development. Ideally I would like to connect with a mentor that is willing to discuss their own career experiences and share their journey. While my current area is in communications, I would like to meet a mentor from any discipline as I feel shared knowledge is a great thing and having a broader understanding of Transport as an organisation can only be beneficial.

Discipline: Business

Location: 470 Pitt Street, Sydney

Contact email or number: bronte.rivers@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Internal Communications Graduate

Work experience: Currently working for NSW TrainLink in Internal Communications. This is my first Graduate placement. During University I worked as a Research Assistant with the Institute for Public Policy and Governance and as the Media and Communications Officer at Anglican Aid, a mid-sized charity.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for someone passionate about community engagement and solving the transportation problems in West and South-West Sydney. I will bring my passion and ideas!

Discipline: Engineering - Mechanical

Location: Sydney Metro

Contact email or number: jason.ngo@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Work experience: 2018 - Pres | TfNSW - Graduate Mechanical Engineer (Fleet Engineering) 2015 - 2018 | CBA - Team Manager 2014 - 2015 | BHP - Undergraduate Mechanical Engineer 2013 - 2014 | CBA - Case Manager

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for a mentor who has a strong grasp of project management as well as change management who would be willing to slot me into their schedule at least once a month to exchange ideas, discuss project management experiences (pain points/workarounds/talent management) that they are working on and provide career advice. I would be able to provide an avenue for the mentor to potentially self reflect on their experiences (self reflection is a great teacher) as well as an opportunity to gain input from an outsider to the project.

Discipline: Engineering - Mechatronics

Location: Level 43, 680 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Contact email or number: akash.mohan@transport.nsw.gov.au, 0435096696

Job title: Graduate Design Engineer - Sydney Metro West

Work experience: I’ve been in the Graduate Program from 2017, where for my first rotation I worked with the Sydney Trains Condition Monitoring and Control Systems teams within Operational Technology. The placement was focused around improving track smarts across the network using technology such as Angle of Attack systems, Break and bearing temperature monitoring systems and TrackIQ Noise Monitoring systems as well as helping improve the reliability and testing of the Dupline Control systems.

My second placement was again with Sydney Trains with the Sydney Metro Program Delivery team within the Future Network Delivery directorate. Here I assisted in project management for deliverables across the Northwest and City & Southwest metro projects working with internal and external stakeholders on key interface touch points of the Sydney Metro projects with the existing Sydney Trains network.

During my time as a graduate, I have also been involved in other programs and opportunities available to Talent Participants, such as the Smart Seeds Innovation Competition, the Future Transport Incubator, the Talent Connect mentoring framework, video content generation for internal and external use, the Young Professionals network within Transport and the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School Program. I was also recognised as a finalist for the Talent Participant of the Year award for the 2017 Transport Cluster Awards.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I would like a mentor that can help me navigate and plan my future career as an engineer within both the public and private sectors, someone who has experience in project management and can help me build a better network across the industry.

Discipline: Business - Human Resource Management/Marketing

Location: 2 -14 Elsie Street, Burwood

Contact email or number: Samantha.read@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Human Resources Scholar

Work experience: I am in my third and final year of the Scholar Program, after having completed a year in Stakeholder Engagement, Sydney Trains, and am planning to finish in my current exciting placement – Solutions Centre, Transport Shared Services in TfNSW.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am hoping to match with a mentor from any business background (preferably HR) who strives to grow and develop professionally and personally. I am looking for someone who can provide insight into work life balance, taking professional opportunities and career advice.

Discipline: Business - Marketing

Location: Level 21, 477 Pitt St, Sydney 2000

Contact email or number: grace.ai@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Marketing Cadet

Work experience: I have recently started my job as Cadet in the Digital Products & Services Branch within the Customer Services Division at Transport for NSW. I will be working with Open Data, Apps and Customer Feedback Systems during my placement from December 2017.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for a mentor that has a background in Marketing who could guide me and provide advice and their experiences.

Discipline: Other - Information Technology, Business - Finance

Location: 477 Pitt Street Sydney

Contact email or number: Zachary.Puskas@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Cadet, Group IT

Work experience: I have just started my new role as a Cadet at TfNSW in Group IT. My previous roles have included a Customer Services Representative at Harry's Cafe De Wheels and a Barista at McDonalds. I am also currently studying a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the University of Technology Sydney.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for a mentor in Business or Information Technology who can provide advice, perspectives and experience.

Discipline: Engineering- Civil

Location: Zenith Centre 821 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067

Contact email or number: Jasveen.Dhillon@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Civil Engineering Cadet

Work experience: I have just started my role as a Civil Engineering Cadet at TfNSW in December 2017. I will be working in the New Intercity Fleet (NIF) branch as part of the Infrastructure and Services division.

What are you looking for in a mentor? I am looking for a mentor in civil engineering discipline who can provide valuable career advice and share their experiences.

Discipline: Engineering - Civil & Environmental

Location: South Western Region (Wagga Wagga)

Contact email or number: Yifei.Wang@transport.nsw.gov.au, Yifei1025@hotmail.com , 0423576435

Job title: Scholar

Work experience: Surveying, Soil Laboratory

What are you looking for in a mentor? I can offer my experience from my time with TfNSW so far, as well as my knowledge of the South Western Region (Wagga Wagga)