Jessica Dennien

A Gladstone local, studying at CQUni meant Jessica could remain in her community while completing tertiary study, and secure a job there after graduation. As a Design Engineer at Gladstone Regional Council, Jessica manages consultants and completes in-house designs for parks, roads and drainage infrastructure projects.

While studying, Jessica completed industry placements with Gladstone Regional Council, gaining experience in construction, design and project management. Following graduation, Jessica remained with Gladstone Regional Council as a Graduate Engineer and has since progressed to the role of Design Engineer. Jessica believes this was possible through the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) course she completed at CQUni, which included two years of practical engineering experience.

In 2019, Jessica was awarded an Excellence Award in the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (Queensland) Excellence Awards. This award was for an intersection upgrade that Jessica worked on under the Federal Government's Blackspot Program.

One of Jessica's favourite things about civil design is seeing her designs come to life and improve liveability among her community. Jessica feels her biggest highlight was shortly after graduation, when she saw her first design built – a median island to prevent dangerous right turn vehicle movements.