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To boldly go!
How several trips on the ‘vomit comet’ made Karen Willcox more determined to be the best aerospace engineer
Engineers absolutely help
people just as much as doctors”
Bachelor of Engineering, University of Auckland
Masters and PhD in Aerospace Engineering, MIT
Worked on the Blended Wing Body aircraft design team at Boeing
Returned to MIT as Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Find out more information about the varied and exciting roles we o er in the field of technology at careers.asio.gov.au
“A er completing degrees in Engineering (So ware) and Science (Mathematics), I was looking for a job which would
be challenging and o er me something beyond a typical So ware Development role. ASIO’s Technical Intelligence Graduate Program attracted me because it presented the opportunity to work on interesting intelligence problems which assist
in keeping Australians safe, while providing me with support in my role. Through the training and rotations as part of the program, I was given the opportunity to work on real intelligence problems which provided me with a strong foundation
for my future career in ASIO.
Since completing the program 18 months ago, ASIO has continued to foster my career development through area-specific training, a leadership course and support for me to do post graduate study. Many of these training opportunities are unique to my role in ASIO. I have been given access to cutting edge technologies which allow me to get the job done. The problems I have worked on in my permanent role have been technically challenging and have required me to call upon all of my knowledge and experience gained in the graduate program. I have found assisting in answering these intelligence questions very rewarding.
I am very happy that I made the choice to come and work for ASIO and complete the Technical Intelligence
Graduate Program. I look forward to many exciting opportunities as I continue my career.” 29
{Careers with Engineering}
ASIO Engineering – William (Bachelor of Engineering (so ware), Bachelor of Science (Mathematics))
Ididn’t get switched on to engineering until my very last term
of high school. I realised engineering is a combination of maths, science and solving problems that has a positive impact on the
world. I also realised you don’t have to wear overalls and carry a toolbox to be an engineer.
One of my research projects developed a computer model of how astronauts move in zero gravity. I got to meet astronauts and fly on the NASA zero-gravity aircraft (the ‘vomit comet’). Those flights were the most fun I’ve ever had!
Twice I made it to the final rounds of NASA astronaut selection, but was not chosen. However, my goal to become an astronaut has led me to an engineering and teaching career that I love.
My advice is to recognise that engineering is not just one kind of job. There are so many different types of engineers and important roles engineers play in making the world a better place. They are a critical part of addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, health and so many more. I’ve heard many young women say they want a career in medicine because they want to help people. The impact may be more indirect, but engineers absolutely help people just as much as doctors.
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W. LITANT / SHUTTERSTOCK