How is curiosity driving innovation in the Hunter, and how can you identify and demonstrate it? Engineering recruitment specialist, Bronwyn Gladstone, shares her insights.
Insights Author: Bronwyn Gladstone
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it breathes life into the engineering industry. Here in Newcastle, it’s driving innovation in projects, says specialist engineering recruiter Bronwyn Gladstone. The challenge is identifying and demonstrating it.
A great engineer is not only defined by their advanced technical abilities (hard skills) but also by a diverse range of soft skills, including creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication skills, leadership skills, collaboration and adaptability.
One soft skill that may not always be immediately obvious but is absolutely critical in engineering (and many other industries) is curiosity.
Newcastle and the Hunter region is a hub of innovation and engineering excellence—with several exciting projects on the horizon that are solving global problems on a local level.
Curiosity is the spark behind these groundbreaking projects. Without it, they wouldn’t have been conceived. But what is curiosity? How has it driven Newcastle’s engineering success? And how can you identify and demonstrate it in an interview?
Curiosity is the desire to learn, understand and explore new things. It’s a mindset that drives us to ask questions, seek out new information and discover innovative solutions.
In the context of engineering, curiosity means continuously seeking to understand how things work, identifying opportunities for improvement and looking for new ideas or approaches that could make processes more efficient or effective.
It’s about being inquisitive, not just solving complex problems but also wondering about new possibilities and asking ‘what if?’ to push boundaries.
Let’s look at three significant innovative engineering projects in Newcastle: the hybrid power and propulsion system, high-speed rail and the Belmont desalination plant.
Each of these groundbreaking projects exists today because local engineers, including mechanical, electrical, process control and civil engineers demonstrated exceptional curiosity alongside their technical abilities.
This collaborative project between Ampcontrol, Steber International and the University of Newcastle is a great example of how curiosity leads to groundbreaking solutions. The team designed a 600kW hybrid power system for a 43-foot boat, addressing critical challenges in reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector.
The proposed Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail line, capable of speeds up to 320 km/h, exemplifies how curiosity drives transformational projects. Engineers behind this initiative are exploring cutting-edge rail technology, balancing speed, cost and sustainability to connect cities more efficiently.
The $530 million Belmont seawater desalination plant project showcases how curiosity leads to innovative solutions for water resilience. Engineers are developing a plant capable of generating up to 30 million litres of drinking water daily, integrating sustainable practices and future-proofing the region’s water supply.
The types of questions curious engineers may ask in projects like these include:
The ability of the curious engineer to ask these questions and use their intelligence to come up with ideas of how it can be applied in a real-world setting that’s also commercially viable is what makes a smart engineer a great engineer.
Curiosity is already being recognised as a skill that needs developing by government, educational institutions, including the University of Newcastle and TAFE, and industry body Engineers Australia (EA).
For example, the University recently announced being awarded $1.9 million in funding, as part of the Australian Government’s School Pathways Program for its Next-Gen STEM program in schools that fosters curiosity, critical thinking and industry connections.
By fostering curiosity in our region, we can continue to innovate and thrive. But curiosity can be a tricky soft skill to qualify in an interview situation, from both an employer and candidate perspective.
So, how can you create an interview procedure that allows hiring managers to best identify it? And how can you prepare to demonstrate in an interview that you possess curiosity to show your suitability for the role? Here are some ideas.
When it comes to essential soft skills for engineers, curiosity is up there as a ‘super desirable’ in addition to excellent technical skills.
Curious engineers are more likely to enhance project outcomes and drive innovation, facilitate effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, promote adaptability through problem-solving and see personal and professional growth.
By fostering curiosity in schools, workplaces and our hiring practices, Newcastle and our wider region can continue to lead the way in solving complex challenges on both a local and global scale.
If you’re looking to develop an interview process that effectively assesses curiosity—one of the hardest qualities to evaluate—alongside the extensive technical expertise and intelligence you need engineers to bring to the table. Or, if you’re a candidate seeking to demonstrate both, let’s start a conversation.
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