Name: Amy Chetcuti
Position: Full-Time Diesel Fitter/Expedition Mechanic (Part-Time Intrepid Explorer)
Company: Australian Antarctic Division
What do you enjoy the most, working in the field of Construction & Development?
I enjoy watching something be created from nothing but an idea and a drawing, to then be constructed by a team of people from all different backgrounds, working together for a common goal.
On a personal note, I enjoy the variety it brings. No two days are the same. The is different machinery, different locations, different people and different problems to solve. I love the satisfaction I get from troubleshooting faults and seeing a once non-functional machine be in actions
Where do you see life in the next 5 years, what possibilities are ahead of you?
The next 5 years offers many opportunities and it is exciting to sit and reflect on what is to come.
I am drawn to working in environments that are not just about the raw trade skill, but provide unique challenges and personal growth. In such a male dominated field it required significant focus and determination to secure a highly coveted trades position, with the Australian Antarctic Division.
While we draw closer to returning to mainland Australia, it feels natural to be thinking ‘What next?’. I have a deep seeded passion for aviation and have already commenced a Bachelor of Aviation (Antarctica is a great place to get some study done)! While this is currently at the forefront of my career planning, I remain busy networking and securing new opportunities within the construction and mining sectors. My life is a work in progress, where I will continue to break down the barriers, offer young women a role model and encourage their pursuit of rewarding and diverse careers.
If you could write a letter to a 13-year-old ‘you’ what would you say?
Amy,
Where you are now does not determine where you will end up. That’s up to you. I know this seems tough (and even potentially cliché), but you are capable of much more than you realise, if you just set your mind to it.
Believe in yourself and the ideas of what you want to become. I know it seems out of reach, but it isn’t. Don’t sit around and wait for someone to tell you what to do or show you the way; make a way, make it happen. Remember, there is more than one way to achieve your goals.
And, encourage yourself as much as you encourage your friends.
Lots of love,
Your older and much wiser self
What are 3 skills you have had to develop to get to where you are presently?
- To encourage and engage in courageous conversations
- Emotional intelligence
- Embracing the mistakes. We’re all human.
