< back
Paul Calabro
As
I wrote my concluding comments on the final exam paper, I rested my pen
on the table with an exaggerated sigh of relief and achievement. After
40 exams, 60 subject tests, 120 assessment pieces, and a mountain of
other coursework, my first reaction was at least thats behind me!!
After completing secondary school, I launched straight into further
study and spent the next five years undertaking a Bachelor of IT
Engineering (Computer Systems Engineering) combined with a Bachelor of
Management (Labour Relations) at the University of South Australia. Some
may say what a remarkable combination. I tend to agree and the fact of
the matter is that I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in the degree.
Why is it then that, after spending this time gaining further formal
qualifications, the ability to apply the theoretical knowledge gained is
limited to use in realising the various considerations that form part of
the company for which we work? Does an undergraduate fully understand
and accept the role placed upon him/her when embarking on their journey
for a successful career after graduation? Through my experience thus
far, I have discovered that no matter how much study is undertaken, only
upon graduation, do we become fully appreciative of the importance
placed on the ability to learn by the employer.
While in my final year, I was employed at Holden Ltd at Elizabeth in
South Australia within the IT Engineering Division. This role opened my
eyes to some remarkable and astounding technology infrastructure that is
currently used within the vehicle manufacturing industry. With the
production of 780 vehicles per day, 148 final assembly stations and some
50 error proof checking stations amongst other factors, there were
several IT design considerations that needed to be contemplated.
Within this role, my main responsibility was programming Change
Co-ordinator to the production line and included the Programming Logic
Controls (PLCs). In conjunction with this, my role included the
extensive testing of highly intelligent robotic infrastructure.
Since June 2003, the production line has operated at 24 hrs/day over 3
shifts, hence the ability to plan and validate changes required
extensive preparation and scheduling arrangements. The coding language
was not one that had been part of my study, however, through my ability
to learn and grasp concepts, the task became manageable and I discovered
my ability to intuitively consider future design issues as part of the
improvements and make relevant changes where required.
I spent 18 months in this role, and although this position expanded my
limited knowledge base beyond my imagination as an undergraduate, my
passion was in other explosive, emerging IT areas.
My final year project was sponsored by Clipsal Integrated Systems and
this was where I found my passion to accomplish and succeed. The project
focussed on the development of intelligent home automation systems
through detailed design principles that permit a fully integrated smart
home. As the project unfolded, further areas for energy efficiency
considerations became evident and this led to the ability to design,
test and implement, using latest software and hardware principles and
technologies, an innovative residence that also adequately addressed the
issue of rising energy consumption levels.
I now live and work on the Gold Coast in Queensland for a specialist
integration engineering firm called Broadgate Connected Communities Pty
Ltd in the development of the latest Broadband technologies. I hold the
position of Technology Systems Engineer and investigate various
technology disciplines that can be implemented into the design and
development of such intelligent automation systems. My research has
spanned the investigation of numerous Broadband technologies, including
Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony Systems to Digital streaming of Movies
on Demand (DMOD) to a residence with continual further advancement into
other areas.
The strengths of the organisation lie in the ability to anticipate and
provide manageable integrated services and solutions through tested and
proven technologies to further enhance the living standards of the
residents within a community. The development of a Community Portal
that links various neighbourhood activities is fundamental to the
connected community model.
The organisation strives to promote the development of a work culture
that encourages ideas and has the ability to turn them into successful
products and services. My contribution to the organisation involves the
research and analysis of applicable technologies that can form part of
the broad framework to incorporate the merging of disciplines into a
structure that is viable, both technologically and economically. I work
with key strategic technological partners associated with the
organisation including Sony, Bose, Hills and Clipsal to innovate
services for our clients, not only for today, but for tomorrow. This is
my passion and ambition and, as a graduate IT Engineer I am content to
have found this at such an early stage of my career. Who knows where
this ongoing quest to learn may lead.
Paul Calabro
University of South Australia
IT Engineering / Management Graduate
BEng. (IT Engineering) (Hons), BMgt. (Lbr Rel)
top^
