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Exchan Er: Reading This... Infinitely More Useful Than Attempting To Steal Other People's Assignments
Exchan Er: Reading This... Infinitely More Useful Than Attempting To Steal Other People's Assignments
EXCHAN
Tackling all the heated
ER
Chemical Engineering topics
The FIRST EDITION
of the CHEMS
Newsletter!
Reading this...
Infinitely more useful than
attempting to steal other
people’s assignments.
Page
E D ITOR IAL
with Tom Hamilton, with Kate Nelligan,
CHEMS President the editor/Secretary.
Welcome to the very first Chemical Engineering Hi, from your CHEMS Newsletter editor. This
Newsletter! The Exchanger is a biannual news- year the CHEMS Committee has decided to do
letter published by the Chemical Engineering something a little different—provide a newslet-
Society for the students in the Chemical Engi- ter for the students! In my first and second
neering Faculty (and yes that does include Phar- years, I often thought to myself—what does
maceutical Engineering students). Within this CHEMS do for me? Why should I bother to pay
magazine you‘ll find event information, engi- the membership fee? Within this newsletter,
neering tips, student/lecturer profiles, news- you‘ll find all the answers. We on the CHEMS
trash, laughs, politically incorrect statements, committee organise all the events you take for
and most likely a few typos. We aim to stimu- granted—ie industry night, pubcrawl and annual
late the creative side of your engineering brain dinner. The content of the newsletter is aimed to
and perhaps help solve some degree long ques- provide useful information—it is not intended to
tions, like: What hair product does Dr Z use? be offensive in anyway and we apologise if any
What really is in the punch at Engineering offence is caused. With that aside, I hope you
BBQs? Or what is fugacity? Please take the enjoy the content and we‘d love to hear your
time to read and if you have any commentary or feedback!
back-chat feel free to write to the editorial at
chemeng@auclubs.com.au.
This publication does not represent the views of the Adelaide University School of Chemical
Engineering. It is solely a publication by the Chemical Engineering Society Adelaide University.
Page 2
CHEMS
2010
New logo, new look. What‘s up and coming for CHEMS in 2010.
From Tom Hamilton, CHEMS President
Page 3
BEEN THERE,
DONE THAT!
Tales from the graduate, the post grad student and the professor.
Page 4
business unit has thrown up multiple challenges
THE and tasks, so it‟s very hard to define what an
average day for an engineer at Origin would look
GRADUATE
like!” said Shannon. ―From undertaking high
level design and costing of a conceptual solar
power station to drawing a floor plan for a con-
From Origin. trol building to drafting, to reviewing a tender
package or construction contract, the challenges
Job diversity, a focus on sustain- are endless and “every week at Origin seems to
ability and an exciting future bring a little more variety ,” Shannon explains.
were just some of the reasons
that attracted Graduate Engi- Shannon hasn‘t yet decided whether to take his
neer, Shannon Nankivell, to engineering career in a more technical direction,
Origin. or follow the commercial side of the business.
“Origin has a strong history of promoting from
Shannon, 24, started with Origin‘s Major Devel- within, and I feel comfortable that whichever
opment Projects (MDP) department in September pathway I choose, Origin will provide me with
2008 as a Graduate Engineer. MDP develops and appropriate opportunities and support along the
constructs major projects including power sta- way,” said Shannon.
tions, pipelines, off and on-shore gas develop-
ments and renewable and low emission technolo- Shannon offers this advice for prospective gradu-
gies – all around Australia. Having completed a ates: “Be honest with yourself and prospective
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and a Bache- employers. Don‟t apply with companies where
lor of Law with Adelaide University, Shannon you won‟t be satisfied performing for two or three
was looking for a diverse role and to further his years. Find the companies that are doing things
skills with a ―good corporate citizen.‖ you are interested in, and do some research about
those companies. Showing you are knowledge-
“Not only is Origin one of the largest electricity able and interested in a company and their activi-
and gas retailers in the country, it‟s very hard to ties will come across as genuine and promising to
find an organisation that is as committed to sus- those interviewing you.”
tainable development and operating with a good
corporate conscience as Origin. Working for a
In 2010 Origin recruited 46 graduates from a
good corporate citizen is something I feel
range of disciplines. Joining Origin will not only
strongly about and Origin is also the leading
kick start your career, their graduate entry sala-
provider of „green‟ energy, that is, energy sup-
ries are competitive and continuously bench-
plied by renewable generation. Working for a
marked, they have an Employee Share Plan and
company that is actually „doing‟ renewable en-
offer great salary sacrifice options for laptops,
ergy as opposed to simply „talking‟ about it is a
superannuation and your Origin gas and electric-
great opportunity for any young engineer,” said
ity bills. Origin has established an ongoing
Shannon.
graduate development program that includes
technical and industry-specific training, as well
No two days are the same when working in the
as modules of our Leadership Development
busy Major Development Project‘s department, as
Program. Most importantly, Origin‘s Graduate
Shannon has discovered. Shannon‘s role com-
Program is a vital part of the company‘s strategy
prises a range of tasks which are critical to devel-
for recognising and rewarding up-and-coming
oping a successful career, including writing posi-
talent.
tion papers and reports, reviewing proposals and
designs from contractors and consultants, under-
taking option studies for equipment and site se- Find out more about our graduate program link
lection, and generally providing engineering sup- to: http://www.originenergy.com.au/1781/
port for our development and project teams. “The Graduates ■
business is so diverse, even working within one
Page 5
THE
POST
GRAD
UATE
with Brendan
Moore
Name: Anne Philcox Age:28
Where did you do your bachelors degree?
Adelaide University
Why did you pick Chemical Engineering?
I liked Maths, Physics and Chemistry in high
school and it seemed to offer the best combination
of those subjects.
If you hadn’t done Chemical Engineering what
else would you have done?
I initially thought about doing Environmental d. Greatly benefits society with out having to
Science. become a doctor and deal with blood and guts
What are your interests outside of Uni? Reasons Chemical Engineering sucks:
I am really interested in Gliding. I‘ve been doing it Its caused me to have a near nervous breakdown in
since 2004 after a mate got me an Air Experience final year and the fact I‘ve been at uni for 10
Flight as a birthday present. My involvement with years!
my club has strengthened over the years and I‘m Your least favourite subject?
now an Instructor for new glider pilots. Industrial Economics and Management
What is your PhD topic? Your favourite subject?
Good Question… lets say ―Determining the Process Control. (Really?) Yes, Really!
mechanism of decomposition of a particular flame Which would you consider yourself a bigger fan
retardant in polypropylene‖ of CSTR, PFR or Batch Reactor?
What is your favourite movie and why? Definitely a CSTR.
I‘d have to say Kick Ass at the moment, purely for My copy of Perry’s is Best used for:
the fact that it‘s not only hilarious but somewhat Propping up a VERY VERY wobbly table.
inspirational as well. It‘s also the latest thing I‘ve
Building upper arm strength.
seen… well I saw Robin Hood but I fell asleep
through it. As a deadly weapon.
Finish this sentence: Studying Chemical Engi- For everything Chem Eng Related.
neering is like… tearing your hair out! Starts off Nothing… I don‘t have one.
all good and gets Crazy pretty quickly. Hmmmm im gonna say,
Reasons Chemical Engineering is cool: Useful as a dampener for my sound system to
a. It‘s the most impressive and hardest form of ―Awesomise‖ the sound quality!
Engineering. When I grow up I want to be just like… Alex
b. You can tell people you know how to make Mac (from ABC‘s series Alex Mac… that girl
bombs. who could melt into a puddle because she was
c. Pretty good pay when you eventually get to exposed to toxic waste… *starts singing theme
industry. song*) ■
Page 6
THE
PROFESSOR
For those of you who would
like to know a bit more about
our Head of School.
Professor Mark J. Biggs, who received his PhD in
1996 from The University of Adelaide, recently
returned to Adelaide to take up Head of School.
Prior to returning to Australia in December 2008,
he held a number of academic posts in the UK,
including at Surrey University (just south of Lon-
don) and most recently at The University of Edin-
burgh. He also held a visiting lectureship at the
University of Stuttgart from 2000-2007 where he
delivered a Masters-level course in process ther-
modynamics. He is the recipient of a prestigious
Royal Academy of Engineering/Leverhulme Sen-
ior Research Fellowship (2007-2008) and is a age of natural gas and hydrogen at densities at
current member of the Australian Research Coun- modest pressures and temperatures sufficient for
cil‘s College of Experts. Professor Biggs is a pio- transport applications), and separations (e.g. cap-
neer and world-leader in molecular and mesoscale ture of viruses and bacteria in porous media)
modeling of interfacial systems including protein amongst many others (e.g. formation of drug en-
adsorption, nanoporous carbons, flows in porous capsulates using microfluidics). Although his
media, and multiphase flows, including liquid- work is primarily modelling-focused, he does
liquid, solid-liquid and granular flows. This work have an experimental program in the fluids area
has many potential applications ranging from (laser-based methods) and collaborates with other
bionanotechnology (e.g. use of designed peptides experimentalists in the UK, Spain and the US. ■
to self-assemble complex nanosystems such as
molecular electronics), energy storage (e.g. stor-
Jokes
Two new elements have been discovered one Element Man
called woman and the other, man. Symbol: XY
Element Woman Atomic weight: 80kg (more or less)
Symbol: Wo Physical Properties:
Atomic weight: 65kg (more or less) Generally muscular and dense, Difficult to find
with Dotun Adesina
Physical Properties: pure sample, Get solid when excited but easily
Generally round in form, Boils at nothing and may getsbent out of shape
freeze anytime, Melts when treated properly by Chemical Properties:
element man and Very bitter if not used well Attempts to bond with Wo at any chance it gets,
Chemical Properties: Tends to form strong bonds with himself, Basic—
Very attractive, Possess strong affinity to dia- neutralize by saturating with alcohol.
monds, gold, and other precious stones., Violent Usage:
when angered, Ages rapidly None really, but likes his footy, Can be used for
Usage: kicking ass.
Highly ornamental, An extremely good catalyst Caution:
for disintegration of wealth and Arguably the most In the absence of Wo, this element can decompose
powerful income reducing agent known to men. rapidly and might begin to ammonialize. ■
Caution:
Highly explosive in inexperience hands
Page 7
SOCIAL PAGES
Industry Night 2010
Page 8
CHEMS MEMBER PROFILES... With Olivia D’Arrigo
My name is...Tom Sheldrick. I wish I had....studied for that engineer-
but my friends call me ....Tom, but you ing math’s test.
can't - you're not my friend. One thing that really annoys
My favourite song of all time....is the me....People who fart in packed lectures/
Cantina Song from Star Wars. CATS.
I'm studying Chemical engineering I've always wondered....Why Arts
with finance because...I didn't think I'd students bother enroll in university...what
like Chem Eng so thought I may as well a waste of time/money!
have 2 degrees. If I could have one superpower it
My favourite lecturer is…Stuart John- would be...Invisibility (insert perverted
son because he's an absolute riot and joke here).
always in shorts. If I wasn't me I'd like to be...a famous
When I grow up I want to be....A Poké- musician, unless it meant being an ex-
mon Master....or at least a gym leader. idol contestant.
If I could live anywhere it would
be...The cupboard under the stairs, 4
Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey,
England.
Page 9
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down
The guy on the bike that says BEEP. Civil Engineers.
He makes me smile. They're just glorified concreters.
The number 8. For being the Alice's red hair
74th decimal place of pi. UGG boots at uni. Just no.
Perry's. For being everything Tom Hamilton's (CHEMS
I could ask for in a book President) dad jokes. He's
Free Fairy Floss. Apart from the only one that ever laughs.
the alliteration just a great Fairly tall cupboards.
win at Eng BBQs. Cant trust them.
Bkons over use of pre-2000 GFC. Fairly obvious one
Microsoft Office Clip Art but I'm not a fan.
Left over lasagne. Mickey Mouse. Just
Made a great lunch havent seen or heard
on Thursday. much from him lately
Bernoulli. For providing
such a handy equation.
The suggestion of"Un-Casual
Fridays" for uni students. Made by
yours truly, just then, but that would
With Ed Williams— the eternal optimist who
be fun to have us all looking amazing! sheds some light on the funnier sides of Uni life.
Food Environmental Energy Pharmaceutical
and Wine
Page 10
GIRLS AND BOYS, TAKE NOTE:
10 (plus one) tips for securing that job you really want...
With Nick Gooding
ED: Nick has completed 6 months of work experience with BP in Perth and Neumanns Petroleum in Bris-
bane and recently scored a dream job in Melbourne with ExxonMobil. Here is some words of wisdom from
Nick on how to get that job you want the most....
Getting through Chem Eng is one thing, but during each year there is something else that hangs over all
students like a dark cloud... Getting work. After a few years of applying for vacation and graduate positions,
the CHEMS committee has come up with their top ten tips for success. We can‘t guarantee you work from
them, but if you follow these steps you will be well on your way...
The interview...
7. Prepare. Research the company and learn what they do, what operations you will be
involved in, their ethos on safety/environment/development and think about what you
really like about them.
8. Prepare. Write down every question you could possibly think of getting asked (ie. What
is a time you failed and couldn‘t redeem the situation?‘) and practice your response.
Over and over and over but make sure it doesn‘t sound rehearsed.
9. Relax. Be yourself. They want to see that you can cope in pressure situations. Like in an
interview.
10. Be keen. Show them that you really want this job. They want someone committed to
the company so you really need to show them you want it.
10 plus one. Enjoy. Interviewers and recruitment days are usually very easy going and
give you a chance to learn a lot about the company. Enjoy the experience as it can be
fun and rewarding. Hey, you got there didn‘t you?
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