Diversity, equity & inclusion
At Aurecon, people at the heart of all we do. Learn more about how we are building a workplace where everyone is heard, and feels valued and connected.
Change your location to view content tailored for you.
Deciding what to study at university, choosing the best specialisation, and gaining work experience can be quite an adventure. We chat with Abby Payne to find out how she went from being an unsure high school student, to exploring structural engineering, and to finding her passion for resilience and geotechnical engineering.
Abby realised along the way that if you’re open to different opportunities, seek feedback to understand your strengths, and follow your passions you can end up working on some really rewarding projects.
In high school, I struggled to find a degree that felt like the right fit, so I sought guidance from a career advisor. Civil engineering wasn’t heavily promoted or discussed at school but through our sessions, I discovered it was a perfect match for my skills and interests.
The idea of solving real-world problems, blending creativity and technical skills, and the ability to make a tangible impact on society was appealing to me. So, I decided to apply for a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in Christchurch and I never looked back.
"The idea of solving real-world problems, blending creativity and technical skills, and the ability to make a tangible impact on society was appealing to me."
During the first years in uni, I was particularly drawn to structural engineering. The idea of bringing intricate architectural designs to life fascinated me. My first internship was as a structural engineer in Hamilton, but I eventually found myself gravitating towards the geotechnical engineering space when the opportunities arose.
I began excelling in my geotechnical papers in uni and became increasingly intrigued by what the discipline had to offer. In my third year, I applied for an internship in Aurecon’s Ground and Underground Engineering team to explore my interest further and I loved every minute of it.
I think it is important to remain open to new opportunities and interests. Looking back, I am grateful for the guidance I received and my willingness to explore new paths.
From day one, I was involved in a wide range of projects – from site investigations, construction observations, to detailed geotechnical designs. I enjoyed the variety of work given to me and the opportunity to be involved in larger scale projects.
While I was based in the Christchurch office, I was able to remotely work on projects in North Island and even in Australia, including geotechnical scoping reports for critical slopes along the roads in Sydney.
"My Internship provided me with hands on learning about topics that were not extensively covered in university."
A best part for me was the tour of the new Christchurch learning about the design and construction process of the facility from Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, led by a Senior Mechanical Engineer in the Building Services team.
I enjoyed learning about the design and construction process of the facility from someone outside of my own discipline, as it provided me with a new perspective on interdisciplinary collaboration and the complexity of larger-scale projects. It was enlightening to see how various engineering principles are applied in practice, increasing my appreciation for the diverse expertise within Aurecon.
A highlight project for me was conducting a natural hazard risk analysis of the Ohau Stream Track. Seeing the seal pups on the walk and completing the subsequent reporting was an exciting and rewarding experience. It provided me with hands on learning about various natural hazards, such as rockfalls, landslides, debris flows, and embankment failures, topics that were not extensively covered in university.
My manager was always keen to know what projects I enjoyed. After I expressed my interest in the natural hazard space, I got the opportunity to help design rockfall protection structures by carrying out the rockfall modelling and subsequent design reporting.
Following my internship, I continued to work on a part time basis during my final year of study. My manager and team were extremely accommodating in balancing my work around my studies, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to continue working part time. After I completed my degree at the end of 2023, Aurecon welcomed me back as a Graduate Engineer.
The intern innovation challenge was an opportunity for us as interns to learn about innovation thinking at Aurecon, and an opportunity for Aurecon to benefit from the intern’s fresh perspective. The challenge was a 24-hour design sprint focused on observing people’s interactions and behaviours on our commutes to and from work.
My team concentrated on the transportation system within our university, and the lack of affordable, safe travel. The facilitator conducted sessions and activities such as brain dumps, context sketching, heat maps highlighting positive and negative experiences, affinity maps, ideation and refining a problem into a focal question. We also had the opportunity to present our work to the other interns within New Zealand and senior leaders at Aurecon, receiving valuable feedback.
The experience was immensely valuable, which allowed us to apply creative problem-solving techniques in a real-world context and collaborate closely will our peers.
The hardest challenge for me was building my confidence in my knowledge and abilities. Entering a professional environment can be daunting and it is easy to feel a sense of imposter syndrome.
I regularly sought feedback from my manager and the other members of my team. Their advice and constructive criticism not only improved my work but also reassured me that I was on the right track. I leveraged the wealth of knowledge and experience within our team, discussing my progress and any challenges I faced with our senior engineers. Their guidance was invaluable in boosting my self-confidence and helping me navigate complex tasks.
The work-life balance and flexibility at Aurecon stood out to me. Even as an intern, I appreciated being able to manage my own schedule. The option to work in a hybrid way, from home or a different office, allowed me to work from my hometown while still meeting my work commitments. This flexibility all provided a great opportunity to meet new people. Several interns visited Christchurch from other offices, giving us a chance to connect with our peers that we might not have met otherwise.
My biggest advice is to take the time to reflect on your experience. When you’re in the midst of it, it is hard to see how far you have come. Regularly taking a step back to consider what you’ve learnt and how you’ve grown can help you understand your strengths and how you want to move forward.
Also, immerse yourself fully in the internship. Absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible, paying attention to the details and learning from every situation. Aurecon has some incredible professional and personal development initiatives for interns so take advantage of everything that they have to offer.
And most importantly, have fun!
At Aurecon, people at the heart of all we do. Learn more about how we are building a workplace where everyone is heard, and feels valued and connected.
Aurecon secures its fifth consecutive 'Most Popular Engineering Employer' award and ranks 9th overall in the 2026 AFR & SEEK Top 100 Graduate Employers.
As workplaces embrace the influx of Gen Z graduates into the workforce, understanding what makes this generation tick is a top priority for many employers.
Or see all jobs at Aurecon.
