You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Bridget Burdett
Job:
I am the Principal Researcher and Chartered Engineer working at Stantec in Hamilton.
Job description:
I work on projects to make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and drive in cities and on country roads.
Work background:
I have an engineering degree from University and have spent many years working in Hamilton.
Favourite part of job:
I like seeing projects I’ve worked on get built, so that people can use them.
Least favourite part of job:
Knowing how many people die or are injured on our roads and streets is a very sad part of my work.
What I am working on now:
I’m working with the government to make transport easier for older people, helping to set up community vans and buses and also to improve footpaths to make it easier for people with disabilities to get around.
A quick story about a job well done:
I worked on a project in Hamilton where we showed that if you improve the pedestrian crossings, more people who use wheelchairs will be able to cross the road. We counted people crossing the road before and after the crossings were improved. It was good to let the Council know that their money was well spent!
A (humorous) story about a job that went badly and what you learned:
Once I had to take a piece of equipment to a new road to test whether it was ready to be tar-sealed. I drove 40 minutes out there and realised I had forgotten the equipment… so I had to drive all the way back again to get it. My boss wasn’t mad though, I learned that if you are always honest then people will trust you even more.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Engineering (honours), Master of Engineering in Transportation, Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand.
Interests outside work:
I like to read books, watch movies, play squash, ride my bike, and spend time with my husband and ten year old son.
Watch Bridget's career profile of a Transport Engineer - on YouTube.
Bridget Burdett is a Transport Engineer with Stantec in Hamilton. Image: NZTA.