Jordan, a Cohuna local, is one of seven students taking part in GMW’s program which provides paid summer work experience for students undertaking post-secondary studies.
As part of this year’s Kick Start intake, GMW said the seven had found the transition from the classroom to the workplace an eye-opener.
Jordan, 21 of Cohuna, has had his share of real world experiences during his placement with GMW’s water quality team.
“At uni everything’s set up in your experiments — in my five weeks here I’ve been in the field at drains, channels and streams testing for blue-green algae and salinity,” he said.
“I’ve been made to feel at home with the team, my help has been welcomed and I feel my learning is actually making an impact.”
Now entering his fourth year in environmental science at Monash University, Jordan said his five weeks at GMW had given him a great opportunity to put his studies to practical use.
Having grown up in Cohuna, Jordan was familiar with the irrigation network but said he had no idea GMW’s water management responsibilities extended to drainage, monitoring bores, rivers and lakes.
GMW’s Kick Start program is now in its fifth year, providing local students with practical experience and helping to keep skills and expertise in the region.