O'DOHERTY-BOWMAN, Ebony

Degree

Certificate II in Electrotechnology

Graduation year

2021

Current position

Apprentice Meter Technician

Employer

Powercor

What inspired you to study electrotechnology?

I have always been a very hands-on person. I always knew I wanted a career that challenged me and allowed me to be hands-on. After finishing school I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. After almost a year and a half of being out of school, I stumbled upon the Certificate II in Electrotechnology at Federation TAFE. Following completion of my certificate I was lucky enough to secure work experience with a rather large electrical company. My time spent with this company cemented my love for the trade and I haven’t looked back since.

Describe the most enjoyable and challenging aspects of your apprenticeship

I really enjoy the team I work with. They are all extremely encouraging, supportive and knowledgeable. I enjoy being outdoors every day and I get to see many different parts of Victoria that I wouldn’t normally get a chance to see. One challenging aspect of my apprenticeship is living away from home however as I am getting to see the rest of the state whilst working I am enjoying it.

What have been some highlights on the job? And what are your hopes for your future career?

One major highlight are the colleagues I work with. They have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. Being in such a positive environment makes going to work enjoyable, especially knowing the people I have around me are approachable and helpful. I enjoy being able to chat to customers regularly and building good customer relationships.

What are your strongest memories from studying at TAFE?

My strongest memories whilst at TAFE were the friendships I made and the how great the teachers were. The teachers in the electrical department at Federation TAFE are absolutely amazing, so supportive and extremely knowledgeable.

Do you have any advice about life after study to pass on to current students in your field or those considering studying electrotechnology?

After finishing my Certificate I found it difficult to find an apprenticeship. I would recommend getting some work experience behind you after your studies, I found this beneficial as it confirmed for me that electrical was the trade I wanted to go into. It was also helpful when applying for my role at Powercor. My advice would be not to give up if you cannot find something straight away after leaving TAFE. It took me around 6 months to find something and I’ve landed the best job I could have.

How did the Foundation Powercor Scholarship assist you during your studies?

I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship from Powercor through the Federation University Foundation which aided me in setting myself up for success. I was able to buy a work uniform and tools for work experience. This work experience helped me to gain my apprenticeship in the following months. The scholarship also assisted me in traveling to and from TAFE as I live out of town.