Mentorship is a gamechanger for career growth. For Young Water Professionals like Helen Li, it can open doors to sector exposure, professional connections and the confidence to step up. Helen’s journey with her mentor, Eamonn Flynn, highlights the transformative power of AWA’s Mentoring Program – helping her navigate career transitions, gain real-world experience and even take the leap from mentee to mentor.
As Helen and Eamonn reflect on their experience from the 2024 program, the launch of AWA’s National Mentoring Program in 2025 (supported by SMEC and AECOM) removed geographical constraints by introducing virtual mentoring. Removing geographical barriers, the new online program ensures that, no matter where you live, you can access expert guidance, structured career support and a water network to help you thrive.
Take a look below at Helen and Eamonn's experience in the program. Learn more about the National Mentoring Program here.
When I first moved to Australia from China, I wasn’t familiar with the local water community. My previous team lead had participated in the AWA Mentoring Program and recommended it to me to learn, build my network and transition from drafting into an engineering position.
I’m naturally quite shy and not very confident in social situations, so joining the program was a challenge for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to talk to new people. The experience helped me better understand the sector and develop more confidence.
When I first met Eamonn, he asked me to list my strengths, weaknesses and career goals for the next five to 10 years. From there, we mappedout a strategy to work towards my objectives, focusing on both technical and professional growth.
One of our first major goals was to help me work towards my Chartered Engineer accreditation. With my background split between engineering in China and drafting in Australia, I had gaps in experience that I needed to fill before achieving chartered status. Eamonn helped me identify these gaps and actively provided opportunities to gain exposure to areas I hadn’t worked in before.
For example, I had limited experience in safety in design workshops, so he invited me to attend one at his company. This hands-on experience was invaluable in developing a better understanding of water sector expectations.
Another major challenge for me was that, while I had strong technical skills, I had limited site experience in Australia. Eamonn took the time to bring me to construction sites, showing me pump stations and pipeline installations. These visits allowed me to see the practical application of engineering work and provided insights I wouldn’t have gained in an office setting.
Beyond the technical aspects, Eamonn also encouraged me to expand my professional network. He introduced me to people within the community, suggested sector events to attend and even encouraged me to start posting on LinkedIn – something I would never have done on my own. After visiting a site, I made my first LinkedIn post about my experience, which was a big step for me in becoming more visible among fellow water professionals.
One of the biggest takeaways from my mentorship experience has been the confidence it has given me. Eamonn constantly encouraged me to push myself, whether it was through sector involvement, networking or professional development. Because of his support, I’ve started attending events, joining engineering groups and even considering a future in design management.
I’ve enjoyed the experience so much that I’m now thinking about becoming a mentor myself. While I still feel I have a lot to learn, I believe I could provide guidance to other engineers who are new to Australia and navigating similar challenges. My journey has shown me how valuable mentorship can be, and I’d love to pass that on to others.
Looking back, the AWA Mentoring Program has played a big role in helping me with my career. The combination of technical exposure, professional guidance, and confidence-building has been transformative. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to develop their skills and expand their network – especially those who, like me, might hesitate to step out of their comfort zone.
I’ve been involved in the AWA Mentoring Program for several years now. Initially, my motivation for joining was twofold: I wanted to gain a broader understanding of the challenges faced by other professionals outside of my immediate work environment and I also wanted to give back. Reflecting on my own early career, I realised how beneficial it would have been to have someone to help me navigate my professional path.
When I first started out, I lacked direction and spent years figuring things out on my own. I wanted to help others avoid that uncertainty by providing guidance, structure and support. A good mentor can help bring clarity to career aspirations that might not yet be fully formed and that’s what I strive to do for my mentees.
Helen and I were paired through the AWA Mentoring Program and, from the beginning, it was clear she was motivated and eager to grow. When we first met, she didn’t have a specific focus for our mentoring relationship, so we worked together to define clear goals. Through our discussions, we identified that her priority was achieving her RPQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland) accreditation, which would be a crucial step in advancing her career.
I helped Helen break down the RPQ requirements into manageable steps, guiding her through the process over an eight-month period. She wasn’t initially confident that she had the necessary experience, but together we identified gaps and worked on filling them. I arranged opportunities for her to gain exposure to critical areas, including safety in design workshops and site visits, to ensure she met the requirements.
Eventually, she successfully obtained her RPQ and was subsequently promoted at SMEC, which was a fantastic outcome.
Beyond technical development, our mentoring relationship has been about confidence building. Helen has grown immensely in her ability to engage with other water professionals and advocate for herself.
When we first started, she was hesitant to network or share her achievements publicly. Now, she’s actively engaging with the professional community, attending events and even interested in mentoring others.
One of the most rewarding moments was when Helen decided to become a mentor herself. She realised she could offer guidance to other engineers, particularly those who have migrated to Australia and are navigating a new professional landscape. Seeing her transformation from someone unsure about her own career path to someone ready to support others has been incredibly fulfilling.
I strongly encourage others to get involved in mentoring. It provides an opportunity to build relationships beyond your own organisation and niche, offering fresh perspectives and insights. A mentor outside your company can provide unbiased advice, free from internal politics or commercial interests.
For me, mentoring is about creating a sustainable future for the water sector, too. By supporting the next generation, we ensure that knowledge and experience are passed on, fostering a strong and capable workforce. Seeing mentees like Helen grow into confident professionals is the greatest reward, and I look forward to continuing to guide and learn from future mentees.
Registrations for the 2026 intake will open soon. Learn more about the National Mentoring Program and how to get involved here.
This article was originally published in the 2025 edition of Current magazine.