Deciding on or changing career paths can be tough. While pressures from family, teachers and friends can weigh heavily, it can be even trickier to land on a decision if you’re not exactly sure where your talents lie.
For Jessica Kahl, her post-high school journey has taken her miles away from the fields she had initially envisioned herself in, and it’s worked to her advantage ten-fold. Throughout high school, she pictured herself taking up a career in a creative field. Now, she’s one of Australia’s leading figures in the engineering space, innovating programs empowering women to make waves in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and leading projects that contribute to a greener future.
“Since pursuing engineering as a career, the pathway has fuelled my ambition to powerfully lead change, challenge norms and shape ideas for the benefit of society. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from and be empowered by incredible leaders in our industry,” said Jessica, reflecting on her career.
“Little did I know that I would be so passionate about the career that I would create a not-for-profit to empower women to dream and succeed in STEAM careers.”
It’s proof that your skills are transferable and that two interests as seemingly different as creativity and science have the potential to lead you to fruitful, challenging and fulfilling futures. It’s just about being agile and open to different situations that may not be the ‘norm’.
Considering Jessica’s versatile accomplishments since graduating from CQUniversity with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op), we gained some further insight into how her studies nurtured and shaped the powerful career she’s landed today.
PEDESTRIAN.TV: What career did you envision yourself landing in while you were in high school?
Jessica Khal: As a child, I grew up being incredibly creative, inquisitive and bold. I always had a passion for design and leadership. I soon discovered that engineering was a field I could exercise these passions and derive deep personal satisfaction while also adding value.
Until Year 11, I was not aware of engineering as a career option and had aspirations to pursue a fashion design or forensic science career. After a conversation that sparked my interest in engineering, I was inspired by my involvement in robotics, my experience at the Engineering Link (a not-for-profit organisation that’s shows how senior school STEM subjects can lead to careers in engineering and science), and business competitions, which sparked my passion for making a difference.
PTV: What was your experience studying at uni like? What were the biggest challenges you faced?
JK: University was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was exposed to new friendship groups, learning experiences and career opportunities which enabled me to broaden and strengthen my thinking about how I could make a difference in the world. I found myself saying yes to opportunities such as the Big Idea Competition and being a CQUniversity student ambassador.
My biggest takeaway from university was to ‘dream big’. The most ambitious challenge that I undertook at university was starting a not-for-profit to encourage participation, ability and aspiration of women in engineering after realising that I was the only female in my civil engineering cohort.
At 19, I decided I wanted to create ‘industry to classroom experiences’ which provided learning and mentoring opportunities to Year 10-12 school students in regional Queensland. The idea was sparked after realising how rewarding and exciting the engineering profession was and how the career pathway wasn’t actively promoted in school. We began running 1-day Dream Big Events at CQUniversity campuses in regional locations with a team of passionate engineers.
After having my own rewarding experiences in the profession in 2014 from CQUniversity’s Co-Op placements, I was inspired to create more opportunities for young people to connect to the industry, be mentored, and better understand career pathways in the industry STEAM. This is how Dream Big Events were born. By ‘bringing industry to the classroom’ in regional Queensland communities, I hope Dream Big Australia and all those who have supported our journey leave a legacy and empower the next generation to become future leaders in education, industry and innovation.
PTV: What’s your current job, and what does it involve?
JK: As a Corporate Development Project Manager at Sunwater, I deliver financial and economic projects as part of the company’s long-term strategy for achieving water prosperity. With increasing weather severity and perception of new water infrastructure driving regional economic growth, my role in delivering strategic infrastructure is crucial for state water security. To increase available water in regional schemes, I developed a 20-year strategy identifying key projects for the investment pipeline and the optimum staging and sequencing of mining, irrigation, and urban projects.
Outside my professional role, I am the founder and Managing Director of Dream Big Australia, a not-for-profit focusing on empowering women to dream and succeed in STEAM careers. From organising hands-on STEM events at universities to hosting a careers podcast and delivering a development program for women, I am constantly involved in engagement which delivers benefits to industry, community and young women in Australia.
My success in advancing gender equality was recognised in 2019 when I was profiled by Engineers Australia in ‘100 engineers making a difference’.
PTV: What are your goals for the future? Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
JK: I’m a big believer in advancing leadership attributes that make me a more well-rounded, courageous, humble, visionary, and resilient leader. Over the next 5 years, I look forward to advancing my leadership strengths by surrounding myself with a collection of inspiring people – from my mentors to mentees to teammates – I aspire to dream and succeed with people who light my fire and share my passion for making an impact in the world.
I think it’s essential to invest in the education of our communities and help reduce the barriers to higher education. By helping young people navigate the process of choosing an exciting and rewarding career, I have learnt that the best thing you can do in your career is to surround yourself with people you enjoy working with.
Looking at Jess’ career, it’s clear that the most important thing to focus on while venturing into your career is an open mind. There are so many pathways to take and there’s no ‘right’ way to land at a particular destination – the skills you have are most definitely transferable across a wide range of industries, and if you’ve got the drive and ambition, anything is possible.
