Every year on June 23, International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) shines a spotlight on the achievements of women in engineering fields around the world. It’s also a reminder that despite real progress, women remain underrepresented in STEM and that there’s still work to do to change that.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) sits at the intersection of energy and engineering. Responsible for maintaining Australia’s power system and keeping energy safe, secure, and reliable, AEMO is also at the heart of the country’s transition to net zero. As the energy sector rapidly evolves, demand for women across engineering, technology, and analytics roles continues to grow. The three graduates featured below each took a different path to get here, and their stories show just how many ways there are to do work that makes a real difference.
Meet the Grads
- Alison Murray, Engineering Stream
- Annabelle Koinis, Digital Stream
- Prakriti Bhatia, Data Analytics Stream
Different Paths Into Engineering and Tech
What did you study, and what attracted you to the energy sector?
Alison: I studied Electrical Engineering with a minor in Power Engineering. The electricity system underpins modern life and sits at the heart of our transition to net zero. There are so many complex problems to solve – that’s what drew me in.
Annabelle: I studied a Bachelor of Information Systems, which blends business and technology. Australia is in the middle of a huge shift towards renewable energy, and it felt like one of those areas where the work could have real impact.
Prakriti: I studied Data Science, which is essentially about finding stories hidden in numbers. Once I started learning more about climate change, the opportunity to contribute to the energy transition really stood out.
Did you always know you wanted this kind of career?
Alison: Not straight away. It wasn’t until my final years of high school that I started to see the potential for creativity and real-world impact in engineering.
Annabelle: Definitely not. I originally studied to become a midwife, quickly realised I was far more squeamish than I’d thought, and switched to a digital degree to focus on solving modern-day problems.
Prakriti: I started out in Biomedical Science before switching to Data Science. The flexibility it offered across industries, and the ability to answer real-world questions in real time, made it the right move.
What made you apply for the AEMO Graduate Program?
Alison: AEMO has a bird’s-eye view across the whole energy sector. The Graduate Program offers exposure to many different parts of the business, from operations to system design – that kind of breadth so early in a career is hard to find.
Annabelle: I wanted a role where I could feel proud of the work. Rotating through teams over two years also felt like the right way to figure out where I wanted to land in digital.
Prakriti: I came across AEMO at a careers fair. Access to coding workshops, development sessions, and the Young Energy Professionals Network made it clear this was a place where learning is encouraged, not rushed.
What the Job Is Really Like
What does a typical day look like?
Alison: Every day looks different. It’s a mix of independent work and collaboration, from building models that simulate the power system to coding and analysis.
Annabelle: Right now I’m rotating through Digital Risk, so a big part of my day involves talking to people across the business. We start with a team check-in, then it’s a mix of meetings and focused work.
Prakriti: It depends on which team you’re rotating through. In analytics I’ve done everything from building dashboards to contributing to papers on operational insights, plus helping plan events through the Young Energy Professionals Network.
What’s been your favourite project so far?
Alison: Working on a modelling tool to assess the impact of new renewables connecting to the grid. Building something from scratch, where there’s still so much room to grow, is exciting.
Prakriti: Building a dashboard for the Operational Forecasting team that visualises wind and solar energy behaviour. Seeing how behind-the-scenes analysis feeds into big decisions has been one of the most rewarding parts of the role.
How does your work contribute to Australia’s energy system?
Alison: In Operations, my work helps keep the lights on and the gas flowing across Australia, 24 hours a day.
Annabelle: My job is about identifying and managing issues before they escalate. When things are secure and well managed, AEMO can keep supporting a reliable energy supply for the whole country.
Prakriti: I’ve worked across both long-term forecasting — looking years ahead at how Australia’s energy needs might shift — and operational forecasting, which focuses on what’s happening day-to-day.
Challenges, Growth and Breaking Stereotypes
What surprised you about working in the energy sector?
Alison: How tight-knit it is. Even across many different companies, there’s a shared goal of tackling the energy transition. That common purpose creates a strong culture across the whole industry.
Annabelle: How many moving parts exist behind the scenes. It’s more like a national group project, where communication matters just as much as technical expertise.
Prakriti: How dynamic it is. I expected something slow and overly technical, but it’s fast-moving and constantly changing, with data scientists, analysts, and policy professionals all working alongside engineers.
Have you faced challenges throughout your journey, and how did you work through them?
Alison: For me the challenge was internal. The biggest barrier was the voice in my head telling me engineering wasn’t for someone like me. It wasn’t until I was mentored by a female engineer that I saw myself reflected in the industry. Since then, one of my goals has been to be a visible role model for younger students.
Annabelle: Switching from healthcare to tech was the hardest part. Moving into a more male-dominated course also took adjustment. Asking questions early, finding supportive classmates, and building skills gradually outside of class all helped.
Prakriti: I used to feel like I had to know everything perfectly before speaking up. Letting go of that and focusing on progress instead made a huge difference.
What skills have been most important?
All three point to the same thing: technical skills get you started, but communication, teamwork, and the ability to keep learning are what help you grow. As Prakriti puts it, “soft skills help you succeed.”
Advice for Students
What would you say to a student thinking about this kind of career?
Alison: Engineering is far broader than most people realise. At its core it’s about creativity and problem-solving, not just maths and science.
Annabelle: Don’t stress about having it all figured out. If you enjoy solving problems or figuring out how things work, try something — a subject that challenges you, an online course, or a conversation with someone working in an area that interests you.
Prakriti: Be willing to experiment. Careers aren’t built overnight, they’re explored over time. Focus on subjects that keep your options open, especially maths, and follow what you’re curious about.
What would you say to someone who doesn’t think they’re smart enough?
Alison: That feeling is far more common than you’d think. Engineering isn’t about being the smartest person in the room — it’s about curiosity, persistence, and learning from mistakes. The energy transition needs people with diverse backgrounds and different ways of thinking.
Annabelle: Nearly everyone feels this way at some point. You wouldn’t expect to pick up a guitar and play it perfectly on day one. Apply for opportunities even when you feel underqualified — those are often the ones that push you most.
Prakriti: Progress beats perfection. What matters is showing up, staying curious, and being willing to ask for help. There are always people around you who want to see you succeed.
Ready to Explore a Career in Energy and Engineering?
These three graduates are proof that there’s no single path into engineering, digital, or analytics — and that the energy sector has room for all kinds of thinkers.
Find out more about the AEMO Graduate Program and what a career in Australia’s energy future could look like for you here.
