Manufacturing Technician
Qualification: Bachelor of Technology (Aeronautical)
Year of Graduation: 2022
Education Provider: Edith Cowan University
Job Title: Manufacturing Technician
Employer: Xcalibur Aviation (Australia) Pty Ltd
Country of Origin: Indonesia
Tell us a bit about yourself and what your story is.
I grew up in Bali, Indonesia, and came to Perth in June 2019 to pursue further studies. Initially, I was interested in attending pilot school as I was keen on flying commercial aircraft (I am an aviation enthusiast). However, knowing that I was exceptional in science and mathematics throughout high school, I decided to take my career path to engineering. I wanted to be more hands-on in engineering, such as designing, prototyping, and solving issues worldwide. I decided to take on a Bachelor of Technology (Aeronautical) to allow my genuine interest to flow into my career while still involving the fundamental aspects of engineering.
What was your main reason(s) to select Perth as your study destination?
Perth is notably known to be very close to Bali, Indonesia – it is less than 4 hours away. Perth also offers incredibly stunning and amazing nature, with various destinations to explore. Perth is also a perfect city for international students to live, study, and work as it is not overly crowded like our neighbouring cities in the eastern states. The weather and climate in Perth is also liveable throughout the seasons, so international students can still do outdoor activities even during winter. I enjoy living, studying, and building my career in Perth, and I look forward to seeing what this city offers.
Are there any other notable experiences you’d like to share from your time studying?
In my first year at Edith Cowan College, I received the Navitas Academic Scholarship and the Dr. Peter Larsen Award for Academic Excellence. When I heard the news from one of my college mates, I was shocked and did not believe it at first. It felt surreal, but at the same time, I was very grateful that my hard work was recognised and appreciated.
In my final year at ECU, I was offered one of the most exciting university projects I have ever done: designing and manufacturing a flight simulator deck for our School of Aviation as part of their major aviation lab upgrade. This was one of the more hands-on projects that allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge and taught me a lot of technical skills along the way. It was also rewarding to give back to the School of Aviation.
Tell us about your experience since leaving ECU – how has your career progressed? Any professional achievements you’d like to share?
I was accepted as an intern in Xcalibur Aviation (Australia), Jandakot in my final year of university studies at ECU. My main task then was as a draftsman and manufacturing support for the TEMPEST project, where I would sketch, design, and generate engineering drawings and CAD (Computer Aided Design) files.
In April 2023, I was offered a full-time permanent position as a Manufacturing Technician. I have learned so much and am now leading one of the projects.
I have successfully built the transmitter, one of the geophysical equipment utilised in this system. I can proudly say that I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I am glad and relieved that everything worked out well.
What are the top 3 skills you need as a Manufacturing Technician?
Technical skills closely related to mechanical, electrical, and electronics engineering are needed. Hands-on skills would include mechanical assembly, CAD, soldering, and wiring skills.
Teamwork. As some people would say, teamwork makes the dream work.
Critical thinking is a soft skill that would apply to many engineering jobs.
What have you enjoyed the most about living and studying in Perth?
Studying in Perth was very enjoyable for me. ECU Joondalup offers numerous activities that students can engage in throughout the years—site visits (for engineering students), guild activities, cultural events, and many more. Student support was also reliable, and the facilities were top-notch. We also got to meet people from different backgrounds, work together on different projects, and attend university events to hang out and learn about the different cultures around the world.
What would you say to students thinking of coming to Perth to study?
I would 100% support anyone who wants to further their studies in Perth. It is a perfect city for students and has all the necessary facilities and support they need. There are also numerous activities outside of college or university that students can attend for career development, job applications, networking, hanging out with friends, or even making new friends. Perth is definitely among the best cities in the world for study purposes.
If you could tell your graduate self one piece of career advice, what would it be and why?
One piece of advice I would tell my graduate self is, “You can only do better by making a mistake”. As a person, I am a perfectionist, and often, I fear being vulnerable, making the wrong decision or taking the wrong step. However, I slowly accept that everyone born does not come with knowledge without experiencing it first. Lastly, the motto that I always live by is “nothing is impossible, the word itself says – I’m possible.”