Matthew Weston

I am currently a Project Engineer at Yarra Trams and a member of the Australian Institute of Project Management as a Certified Practising Project Practitioner (MAIPM-CPPP). I am a proud alumnus of RMIT University, with a Master of Project Management (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management). At Yarra Trams, I work on track and overhead renewal projects, which contribute to future-proofing and the continued running of the largest tram network in the world – a true icon of Melbourne and its streetscape.

Please describe your trajectory since Top Designs. Did being part of the exhibition have any influence on your next steps?

After graduating from Gladstone Park Secondary College in 2014, I was glad to receive an offer for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) at RMIT University. Before commencing my studies in 2015, I took the opportunity to travel with family in Asia and gained valuable cultural experiences, resulting in greater appreciation for the lifestyle and opportunities available to us in Australia.

I commenced my study at RMIT in February 2015 and had very good support to transition into the university life, especially from my program managers. This gave me the confidence to complete the four-year bachelor’s degree a full year early. I was lucky to be offered my first job at Prebuilt in week 12 of my final semester.

With further support from RMIT, I went on to complete a Master of Project Management in just one year, graduating with the highest grade point average of the cohort in December 2018. My effort was recognised by both RMIT and the Australian Institute of Project Management.

Top Designs certainly had a significant influence on my professional development. Having my Systems Engineering work exhibited at Melbourne Museum provided me with tangible recognition of my effort and dedication – today it remains a highlight on my CV.

Do you have any advice for people starting out in your field, and what are your future goals?

Anyone working on projects in the public sector has a social obligation to deliver value for money, and this can only be achieved with a team approach. This applies to your interactions both within your organisation and with all the external stakeholders or contractors you may cross paths with. Working in a team isn’t always easy, and I believe resilience is one of the most important skills to demonstrate to prospective employers. From day one in further education (or a direct transition to the workforce), you should take the opportunity to start team-building and build your resilience to complex challenges.

It may be clichéd, but under-promising and over-delivering is still the best formula for success. This shouldn’t constrain your creativity and ability to innovate, but it avoids reinventing the wheel and encourages you to focus your design talent on solutions that fully satisfy the client’s needs.

My current career goal is to progress into a project manager role. I’m very happy to be working on Melbourne’s infrastructure at a time when the government’s agenda and focus is on innovations such as digital engineering. My plan is to complete a PhD at RMIT when I discover the right field, which is exciting!