ConocoPhillips Graduate Engineer, Sharon Koipuram, is using her graduate program to take her professional experience to the next level while pursuing her love of travel. Currently living in Brisbane as part of the ConocoPhillips graduate program, Sharon completed a Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering in Electrical at the University of Queensland.

Her first graduate rotation included moving to Darwin to support operations at the Darwin LNG (DLNG) facility and prepare for the major maintenance shutdown at the facility in May 2018.

“As part of my first rotation I was able to participate in the DLNG transformer and high voltage low voltage switchboard maintenance facility shutdown. I supported the completion of multiple instrumentation, control and electrical work scopes in a safe, efficient and timely manner with no incidents,” Sharon said.

“The DLNG shutdown gave me the opportunity to really push my skill development and establish myself as a respected technical contributor amongst my colleagues. I also had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and lead the delivery of discrete scopes of work and manage vendors,” she said.  

Sharon will tell you one of the things she loves most about her role, is that she is constantly challenging herself and learning new things each day.

“ConocoPhillips and the people I work with are committed to supporting my professional and technical development,” Sharon said.

“I’ve taken every opportunity that has been presented to me. To gain this rich experience I needed to live in Darwin for almost 2 years,” she said.

Living in Darwin provided Sharon with more than a professional development opportunity, it allowed her to explore some of the wonders of the Northern Territory.  

“I love to travel, and I really enjoy exploring. Living in Darwin meant I was able to regularly explore Litchfield National Park and take long road trips to Kakadu National Park,” Sharon said.

Looking forward Sharon is focused on completing her graduate program and broaden her knowledge in Controls and Instrumentation. “I’m also hoping to gain more exposure to more elements of site in the next year,” Sharon said.