{"id":13326,"date":"2022-07-15T11:10:16","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T01:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.emotedigital.com.au\/?p=13326"},"modified":"2022-07-15T11:10:46","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T01:10:46","slug":"natural-curiosity-led-to-an-exciting-career-in-submarines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.com.au\/natural-curiosity-led-to-an-exciting-career-in-submarines\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Curiosity Led to an Exciting Career in Submarines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Engineering team leader Kieran always loved maths, physics and sport.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his role with Babcock, working in Australia\u2019s Naval Shipbuilding Industry, Kieran has found a career that combines the best aspects of all three \u2013 getting to solve challenging problems while working in a team.<\/p>\n

Kieran is at the forefront of ensuring Australia\u2019s submarine fleet is fit for purpose, with his team at South Australia\u2019s Osborne shipyard focused on supporting the maintenance of the Australian Navy\u2019s Collins Class submarine fleet.<\/p>\n

Turning full circle from university to TAFE \u2013 and back again<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Kieran\u2019s path to engineering was unlike most. \u201cMy journey was definitely different,\u201d he says. \u201cI tried uni first but at the time it didn’t feel right for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy old man was in a trade background, so he shed a lot of light of his experiences in a trade, and it was something I wanted to give a go myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

After completing school at Modbury High School, Kieran pursued an apprenticeship, becoming a qualified fitter and turner with a Certificate III in Engineering, Mechanical Trade through TAFE NSW. He worked as a designer\/draftsperson in the oil and gas sector for six years while rediscovering his hunger for university study.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I gained the apprenticeship, the business [I was working for] allowed me to go back to study part-time for my uni degree. That\u2019s where the spark came from – I could see my studies get put into action, it was just really rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kieran now holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, from the University of South Australia. While it took a little longer to reach his destination as an engineer, in hindsight, he would not change his journey. \u201cI\u2019ve [gained] a lot of broader experiences,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Satisfying a curiosity about submarines<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In many ways, changing industries and moving into shipbuilding was a big decision for Kieran. But he was drawn to the global nature of Babcock and the wide range of projects on offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lifespan of submarines and everything involved, that was what really drew me into Babcock,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen the opportunity came up to get into the industry, I was pretty excited.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat long-term security, those long-term projects, the scope of work for the future submarines is massive. You could be on one path now and the industry is that big that you could end up on a different path. That\u2019s really exciting \u2013 there’s just so much opportunity out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving into management<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Kieran joined Babcock as a production support engineer and was elevated to an engineering team leader after 16 months. He now oversees a team that sustains and upgrades the weapons systems on Australia\u2019s Collins Class submarines.<\/p>\n

Sustaining and maintaining Australia\u2019s submarines involves dissembling, repairing and putting back together the vessels. The sustainment and maintenance work is undertaken by specialist companies who have won contracts from the Australian Government.<\/p>\n

When submarine components are brought into the engineering workshop to be maintained and upgraded, \u201cthe problems are always different, it\u2019s a very fast-paced moving environment, and that\u2019s probably a big drawcard for me\u201d, Kieran says. \u201cI like change and the different issues that arise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kieran says the switch from being a hands-on team member to a team leader was a big challenge that has required him to shift gears. \u201cWith submarines, it\u2019s cool, it\u2019s exciting, you want to learn [by tackling things hands-on], that\u2019s the sort of thing engineers thrive on. Now … I\u2019ve got to be more focused on delegating and people managing and overseeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kieran loves watching his team members grow and develop their skills and capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really rewarding to support and be a part of their journey – seeing the team grow and develop into the careers that they want and aspire to be,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Advice for others<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When Kieran is hiring staff, has says that beyond the required qualifications, he is always on the lookout for curious people.<\/p>\n

His big piece of advice: \u201cJust give things a go\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, I was very confused coming out of high school. I was good at certain things, but I didn\u2019t know necessarily what I wanted to do in the long term. I dwelled too much on \u2018can I do this for the rest of my life as opposed to giving things a go and then adjusting as I went.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a big part of understanding my likes, my dislikes and my future.\u201d<\/p>\n

To read <\/em>Kieran\u2019s<\/em> story, visit <\/em>Natural curiosity led to an exciting career in submarines \u2013 Naval Shipbuilding College<\/a><\/p>\n

To find out more about careers in naval shipbuilding, visit navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n