Hi my name is Lance D’Antoine and I graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.

I am originally from Darwin in the NT, but moved down to Perth to pursue my studies and gain independence by leaving home.

Math and science have always interested me throughout my schooling days and they are the basic building blocks of describing and understanding the world around us. I enjoy asking questions and problem solving and both these branches of learning enable you to do this in a logical way.

After finishing year 12 and speaking to a career guidance councilor, the next step for me was to choose a direction that incorporated both these disciplines. Engineering was the perfect choice and I chose the Electrical stream due to my fascination with electronics when growing up.

Obtaining my degree has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Leaving behind family and friends, working while studying to support yourself, juggling heavy study workloads with your social life, tutorials assignments and exams all add up to a hectic but exciting lifestyle. There have been times when I felt like chucking it all in, but you can’t give up and there are fantastic people at the Centre for Aboriginal Programs for help and support.

I have just returned back to Australia after working and traveling in the UK for the last 2 years. The degree I obtained from UWA is well respected within the industry not only in Australia but also overseas. It provides you with the perfect platform to continue your growth in a professional environment and the opportunity to apply your craft internationally. I set up my own Company and contracted myself out as en engineer and was working on the tertiary treatment upgrades on a Waste Water Facility 1 hour south of London. Working amongst fellow professionals on a tight deadline on complex projects gives you a real buzz. Also knowing that what your doing is helping out the environment is quite satisfying. So not only are the job prospects for engineering excellent and well paid, they also give you the opportunity to travel and work overseas but also to contribute back to the community in a positive way.

My thesis at university was on renewable energy and looked at wind turbines generating power for remote locations. My current work involves the water industry and making water safe for people and the environment. When I finish working overseas, I hope to combine the two and get involved with projects that involve providing electricity and safe drinking water for Indigenous people in remote areas all around Australia. To anybody who chooses to study engineering at UWA I wish you the best of luck. It’s hard work but you couldn’t be surrounded by better people at Shenton House and UWA to help you across the finish line.