For Radinsa, practical learning, industry experience and leadership opportunities have given her the skills, confidence and connections for a career that she’s passionate about.
One of the biggest questions for high-school students considering university study is how a degree translates into real work. At Curtin, hands-on learning, industry placements and global opportunities help students see how the skills they develop at uni lead to meaningful careers.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Radinsa Dharmadasa explained how Curtin’s programs also helped to build her confidence and choose the industry she wants to work in – exactly what she was hoping for when considering which university was right for her.
“Curtin is praised for its engineering and hands-on learning. And there are also a bunch of opportunities to gain industry experience as well as leadership skills and global perspectives,” she said.
Choosing Engineering to make a difference
Radinsa chose Engineering because she was determined to have a career that would have real impact.
“I wanted to use my problem-solving skills to make a tangible difference. Electrical and Electronic Engineering stood out because it’s so heavily involved in the world around us, and the world that we’re working towards,” she explained. “There’s a lot happening in renewable energy areas, and it would be great to be a part of that.”
She said the practical components of her course have been a highlight, because they’ve help her connect the knowledge she gains in lectures with real engineering systems.
“In our laboratory classes, I can apply the concepts from lectures to real-world engineering systems. I’ve been able to test various electrical equipment, build circuits and program – making the theory come to life really solidifies my passion for engineering.”
a major factor” when it came to choosing where to study engineering.
Industry experiences that create careers
Building on her laboratory classes, Radinsa’s industry experiences have been invaluable – not only for showing how engineering knowledge is applied in professional settings, but also for growing her confidence and developing camaraderie with colleagues.
“I’ve done two internships with BHP. The first was a three-month internship in Port Hedland, working as an electrical engineer for the technical team. Any changes that need to happen on site must go through the team for approval. So that involves engineering assessments, doing all the calculations, making sure everything’s up to standard and code.”
Her second internship was a year later, in the same team but this time at a mine site near Newman. And she’s stayed on with the team, working two to three days a week from the Perth office.
Those experiences have given Radinsa useful insights into both the technical expectations of engineering work and the confidence that comes from being part of a professional team. And the ongoing exposure to engineering practice that she’s gaining highlights how internships can be more than short-term opportunities.
“Those periods definitely had a lot of self-growth for me. I gained a lot of confidence about going into the industry. I think I’m a fairly shy person, but when you go to a mine site, especially a FIFO site, everyone there is just so friendly and keen to chat,” she said.
“And just seeing how my degree will correlate to my future. So, what can I take with my learning and where can I go? It was nice to fully experience the opportunities I’ll have after I graduate. Yeah, I’d say those are my two main takeaways.”
Building confidence through leadership
Radinsa decided early on in her studies that she’d make the most of her opportunities at Curtin. In her second year, through Curtin’s Global Scholars Program, she joined a study tour to Sarawak in Malaysia and took on the role of student leader.
“We worked in high schools in Miri, delivering STEM workshops such as floating platforms – where students have to create a house that can float on water, to simulate houses affected by rising water levels or floods,” she explained.
“Being a student leader also helped me to build my leadership skills and gave me a greater understanding of cross-cultural collaboration.”
Preparing engineers for the future
Radinsa’s prospects for her dream career continue to grow through student opportunities. Recently, she was awarded the Hatch Women in Engineering Scholarship, which has opened yet another door to industry connections. And her success in gaining a scholarship has reinforced her confidence for a career of her choosing.
“The scholarship includes an internship placement at Hatch, a consulting engineering company for the energy and mining industries,” she said.
“I definitely want to go into the power system side of things, in the energy or infrastructure sectors,” she said. “I think there’ll be super interesting opportunities in resources – like creating electric vehicles for mine sites. I’m really looking forward to making a meaningful contribution.”
Following the 2026 Curtin University Scholarships Celebration held in July, Radinsa had this to say about her scholarship:
“As someone who is passionate about engineering, leadership and STEM outreach, it was encouraging to be surrounded by so many people who are committed to investing in the next generation of engineers and innovators.
“One of the key messages from the evening was that scholarships represent far more than financial assistance – they create opportunities to learn, connect, and grow both personally and professionally.”
Contributing to industry before graduation
For high-school students wondering how an engineering degree leads to a career, Radinsa’s journey shows how university can become a pathway into industry long before graduation. Through practical learning as well as internship, scholarship, volunteering and leadership opportunities, she’s been able to strengthen her expertise, confidence and industry connections – and form a clear picture of the difference she intends to make as an engineer.
And she offers these tips to anyone who’s about to start their university journey:
“My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity that Curtin offers. Join clubs, volunteer, apply for internships, participate in leadership programs and consider studying overseas if you can,” she said. “I joined the Youth Outreach committee at the Curtin branch of Engineers Without Borders, became a leader at Curtin Volunteers! and so much more.
“These opportunities lead to more opportunities and the most valuable experiences.”
If you’re inspired by Radinsa’s experience, you can learn more about how Curtin’s education takes you beyond the classroom. And if you’re interested in a career that helps industries become more sustainable, explore Curtin’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
