12 Dec 2021
In the December issue of EG, our 'Inside Job' features Aparajita Goswami – a reduction process control engineer at New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (Tiwai), based in Invercargill.
I describe my role to non-engineers as…
Someone who helps produce low-carbon, high-purity aluminium through a chemical process called smelting.
The part of my job that always surprises people is…
The beautiful drive to the Tiwai site.
The best thing I’ve introduced at my workplace is…
Designing a response plan portal for managing high-risk events, such as unplanned power loss situations to the reduction smelting potlines. Given we can run 200kA amperages (that’s roughly equivalent to 833 standard 240V power outlets), the impact of unexpectedly losing this power can be significant to the national grid supply as well as on the performance capability of the smelting process and switchyard gear.
In my role, I always challenge…
The status quo – be it spotting and working on unsafe/inefficient/redundant processes and practices, or working towards a proudly diverse, socially connected and culturally representative workplace ethos.
At work, I’ve never been afraid to…
Be my authentic self. Female engineers can feel pressured to act “masculine” to fit into male dominant industries. Demonstrating sound knowledge of your process/plant, while holding onto your unique “feminine” traits, is the ultimate equaliser.
In the past year, I’ve pushed boundaries by…
Juggling work with volunteering at the Southland SPCA and organising events as the Engineering New Zealand Young Engineer Representative for Southland. Also, completing my duties as a Wonder Project and Great South Youth Futures Ambassador and making sure I head out for a row on as many weekends as I can.
I admire engineers who…
Can effortlessly explain complex engineering concepts to people at every level of their organisation (and to their grandmothers as well).
At school, teachers always described me as…
A chatterbox with a finger stuck in all sorts of pies.
My luckiest break was…
Landing the graduate position here.
The bravest thing I’ve done to get where I am today…
Living and working for three months as an Environmental and Regulatory Affairs intern in Austria, with only a basic level of German.
Best career advice I’ve received…
Look at challenges from the perspective of a hedgehog (micro-view) and an eagle (macro-view) and when problem-solving, engage your brain before your keyboard.
I’d advise other people interested in my type of role to…
Dream big and get involved with STEM initiatives like the Wonder Project and other education partnerships. Join professional bodies and develop a broad portfolio of experience in domestic and international companies in your field.
3 things I love about my job:
- The invaluable support system provided by my team.
- Learning something new every day in a work environment that’s really big and full of opportunities.
- Great work-life balance.
2 reasons why I chose to study engineering:
- My passionate chemistry teacher mother instilled in me a genuine love of science from a very early age, from explaining the wooden DNA helix model as I clutched her hand on a personal tour of her school lab, to the science behind photosynthesis in our garden, to why the sky was blue, or why our windows fogged up on a cold winter’s morning and building DIY “volcanoes” at home. She’s the reason I love STEM so much.
- I wanted to keep experiencing the iterative cycle of pecking away at real-world problems, finding effective solutions and having the satisfaction of seeing their tangible benefits around me.
1 thing I wouldn’t change about my work day:
Never knowing how my day will pan out when I walk into the office every morning – no two days are ever the same.
