Diary of a Hunter Water work experience student: Ollie

We recently hosted high school student Oliver for a week of work experience. At the end of his week, we asked Ollie a few questions about his time at Hunter Water.

How has your understanding changed of the way Hunter Water delivers water and wastewater services?

I didn’t realise just how many pipes make up Hunter Water’s network across Newcastle. I knew there were a lot, but during my placement I learnt there are far more than I ever imagined.

What were some of the highlights from your week at Hunter Water?

One of the biggest highlights was visiting Chichester Dam and learning about how most of the Lower Hunter’s water supply is sourced and delivered to the community.

What are the different teams or areas of the Hunter Water business where you could see yourself working in the future?

I could see myself working in the electrical or maintenance teams because I enjoy more hands-on work and learning how equipment and infrastructure operate.

What was the most valuable thing you learnt during your placement?

One of the most interesting things I learnt was that Hunter Water has been serving the community since 1892. Knowing the organisation has been operating for more than 130 years really showed me the important role it plays in the region.

What was a key reason it was good to do a week of work experience at Hunter Water?

Work experience at Hunter Water was valuable because it gave me insight into a range of different roles across the business and helped me understand how important each one is in delivering water and wastewater services to the community.

My week at Hunter Water gave me a greater appreciation for the people, infrastructure and teamwork required to provide essential services every day. It also helped me learn more about potential career pathways and the variety of opportunities available within the organisation.