6.45 AM
After pressing snooze for what feels like the hundredth time I finally wake up at around 6.45 am, get ready for the day and have breakfast before heading off to work at Garden Island. I put on my favourite music and head to the bus stop hoping that it hasn’t been delayed or cancelled.
8.00 AM
I generally arrive to work around 8.00 am although starting times are very flexible. Most people tend to be in quite early to get a parking spot and beat the Sydney traffic. I just get in early because I like leaving early. I start my day by checking my emails and then making a cup of tea.
8.30 AM
I have an informal catch up with my supervisor where we go over the tasks we have to action. This involves reviewing the technical details of the task, prioritising its urgency, and seeing what needs to be done next.
9.00 AM
I dive right into work. Depending on what task has landed in my inbox this can mean reviewing standards (fun!) and technical documentation, performing physical checks on the ship or liaising with contractors and external parties.
12.00 PM
It’s my favourite time of the day. Lunch. I usually eat lunch outside with the other graduates or we go to the mess where the food is always good.
12.30 PM
After lunch we have our weekly meetings with the team. This involves going over all the tasks we’re working on and to see if we’re tracking well. It also gives us an opportunity to raise any problems or obstacles we’ve faced. We also get a good idea of what other people in the team are working on. If it’s something of interest to me I try and see if I can get involved in it.
1.30 PM
My supervisor thinks I’ve been staring at the screen for too long so we go on-board the ship and do some work. Most of the time at least one LHD is alongside which means we can go almost anytime. We print out the relevant documents and schematics and make sure we know where we need to go (it’s so easy to get lost on such big ships!). We put on our PPE and head to the ship navigating our way through various compartments and up and down many many flights of stairs. Who needs the gym!? These ship visits provide a really good opportunity to see what we’re working on and provides more context to enable us to do our jobs effectively. It’s also a good excuse to get out of the office.
3.30 PM
We get back to the office and I summarise all the findings before I forget. If there’s any outstanding items I make a note so that the next day I can remember to action them.
4.00 PM
I usually finish around 4.00 pm and take the bus home. Despite only being 4pm there’s already traffic.
4.45 PM
I visit my local Woolies and get some groceries to cook for dinner before heading home.
5.30 PM
I’m fortunate enough to live close to the Sydney harbour. Often I go for a walk after work and soak in the evening sun. I’ve got fantastic views of the city, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
6.30 PM
After my walk I catch up on my Netflix shows whilst simultaneously try to make my dinner. I sometimes get too engrossed in the TV show and have to remember there’s food on the stove and about to burn at any minute. Afterwards I take a shower and then wind down for the night.
10.00 PM
I’m off to bed ready for another day in the office.