Students making splash in water industry

Feature picture: Unitywater Executive Manager People Culture and Safety Kenan Hibberd, centre, with scholarship recipients Jarryd Elliott and Jenna Hopp. Picture Cade Media

Caboolture’s Jarryd Elliott was one of two students given $10,000 scholarships by Unitywater at the University of Sunshine Coast School of Science Technology and Engineering Awards.

Each scholarship, awarded in the last two years of study, includes three months paid work experience over each summer through Unitywater’s Undergraduate Vacation Program.

“We have seen some wonderful students come to us through the scholarship program who gain valuable experience in their field of expertise in the vacation program and then go on to further employment with us in the graduate development program,” Unitywater Executive Manager People Culture and Safety Kenan Hibberd said.

Bright stars

“Unitywater is a major employer and service provider in the region that actively works to support students and the bright stars of the future by offering them fulfilling career paths in the region they call home.”

Elliott, from USC's Caboolture campus, received the Unitywater Bright Future Scholarship, which supports undergraduate students enrolled in a Business, Commerce, ICT, Engineering or Social Science program.

About to finish his second year of a three-year Bachelor of Information & Communications Technology degree, he said the scholarship will help him continue his studies and ease the financial burden that comes with a full-time study load.

Amazing opportunity

“My career goal is to apply the knowledge and skills learnt to contribute to local communities and create a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.

“Having this amazing opportunity to work with Unitywater allows me to achieve this goal, as they hold the same values in creating a safer environment.

“It is a great honour and privilege to be awarded this scholarship and I am truly grateful.”

Future career

The Unitywater Engineering Scholarship, which supports Civil Engineering students with a major in Environment and Water or combined Bachelor of Environmental Science double degree, went to Sunshine Coast campus student Jenna Hopp.

Hopp is about to finish her fourth year of a five-year double degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)(Hons)/Bachelor of Environmental Science.

She said the scholarship will greatly impact and compliment her university studies and future career through opportunities for vacation work and potentially the graduate development program.