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Academic and career advancement
Shahed Jafarpour Hamedani had been working in the maritime industry as an engineer for almost 10 years when he immigrated to Australia and started his PhD. He had to rebuild his professional network in a new environment supporting himself with casual work while pursuing an advanced degree. Now, he works at GHD as a Senior Maritime Engineer after completing GHD’s Career Relaunch Program. Read on for Shahed’s story.
Shahed had been working in the maritime industry as an engineer for almost 10 years when he immigrated to Australia and started his PhD. He had to rebuild his professional network in a new environment supporting himself with casual work while pursuing an advanced degree.
Shahed was almost 10 years deep into his marine engineering career before he decided to take a break, move to Australia and earn his PhD. He worked as an academic tutor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) while managing a remote job to support his studies.
However, Shahed still found it difficult to find a job in engineering while studying, “I had been searching for a job for a couple of months but securing a position in a reputable company proved challenging due to my visa status.”
It wasn’t until he discovered GHD’s Career Launch Program that he saw a pathway back into the corporate world with a supportive environment for professional growth.
Flexibility and collaboration
Flexibility was crucial to Shahed joining the program. “It provided me with the opportunity to work on a casual basis, aligning perfectly with my visa requirements and PhD commitments,” he says.
Shahed also looked forward to growing professionally under the program, showing excitement over engaging in diverse projects and collaborating with a variety of people across GHD's dynamic environment.
Adjusting to a new environment
Shahed initially expressed some concerns about returning to the corporate world. “I needed to be prepared for a different work environment. GHD, as a large-scale organization, has its own internal environment which I needed to get used to,” he says. “The thought of rebuilding my professional network, adapting to new projects and the possibility of facing unfamiliar challenges was daunting.”
Shahed soon realised he had made the right choice joining the Career Relaunch Program. “It provided a structured pathway to re-entering the workforce after a career break, enabling me to transition smoothly back into a corporate environment.”
Reigniting his career
Shahed now works at GHD as a Senior Maritime Engineer, making full use of his industry experience and advanced studies to contribute technical expertise on various projects. Outside of work, he finds time to enjoy camping, swimming, playing badminton and studying.
He sees his academic background as the foundation for his professional achievements, and he’s grateful to GHD and the Career Relaunch Program for providing the flexibility and support he needed to pursue his PhD and enable a smooth transition back into the corporate world, reigniting his career.
About GHD’s Career Relaunch Program
At GHD, we think differently about returning to work after a career break. We offer a 10 week, paid, flexible program with the opportunity and goal of ongoing employment. This program is offered Australia and New Zealand-wide each year.
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