Last week, we were proud to announce that Wood has been named a Top 100 Graduate Employer for 2026 in Australia. As applications enter their final week, we’re sharing more about what a typical graduate experience looks like at Wood - through the stories of our recent graduates across commercial, engineering and consulting roles.
Through the voices of our recent graduates, spanning business, commercial, engineering and consulting, we are sharing real stories that bring the Wood graduate experience to life.
Straight out of university and into the world of business
Just four weeks into the program, Sosan Thomas - a Business Development (BD) graduate based in Perth - is already gaining hands‑on exposure across the business.
Originally from India, Sosan moved to Perth two years ago to study Business Analytics at the University of Western Australia. “On the way to University, my friend and I used to joke about working in one of the high‑rise buildings in the central business district of Perth - and now it’s come true,” she says.
For Sosan, her first few weeks at Wood have been fast‑paced but welcoming. “It’s my first corporate role and I’m new to the industry, so there’s been a lot to learn. What really stood out was how approachable everyone has been. Even before my official start date, I was invited into the office and to social events. That early inclusion made settling in so much easier.”
“The chance to move across different areas of the business development and delivery teams was exactly what I was looking for. I was drawn to a BD career because I want to gain exposure across large, complex energy opportunities and develop customer relationships."
Already, Sosan has been identifying and nurturing leads, contributing to projects and building confidence through hands‑on involvement. “You’re encouraged to ask questions and get involved. The team always reinforces that there’s no such thing as a stupid question, and to me that’s something that really matters when you’re starting out.”
Growing confidence in Darwin
Four weeks into his role as a Graduate Instrument and Controls Engineer, Wilfred Varghese is already feeling well‑embedded in Wood’s Darwin office. Wilfred completed his Master of Engineering at Charles Darwin University before joining Wood through the two‑year graduate program.
Wilfred says the size of the Darwin office has helped him settle in quickly. “It’s been easy to get to know everyone - I’ve felt included from the start. People are often surprised to hear I’m new because that’s how welcoming the team has been.”
He was drawn to Wood by the opportunity to join a global organisation expanding locally in the Northern Territory, as well as its focus on innovation, sustainability and future‑ready energy solutions.
Despite being early in his journey, Wilfred has already been assigned to projects for a major operator, reviewing project documentation and workflows to understand both the technical and business sides of operations.
Support from his manager and the wider team has been key. “I’m learning how the technical knowledge from university connects to real‑world standards, documentation and workflows,” he says. Looking ahead, Wilfred is focused on asking questions, building strong relationships, and continuing to develop as an engineer. “My goal is to keep learning and grow in confidence throughout my first year.”
Applying skills to the energy transition
For Zara Haeri, Wood’s graduate program has provided an exciting introduction to the carbon capture and storage (CCS) space following the completion of her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia.
Now working as a Graduate Flow Assurance Engineer in Perth, Zara has spent the past 18 months contributing to CCS projects, collaborating with major Australian operators as well as organisations in Japan and Singapore.
“I’ve been involved in a wide range of activities, from case mapping and technical calculations to client reporting and presentations,” she says. “I’ve also developed my skills in tools like OLGA and Python, while applying the fundamental knowledge I gained at university - such as thermodynamics and heat transfer - in real industry projects.”
“This experience has enabled me to translate my academic knowledge into practical applications, while also building my confidence and ability to work more independently.”
That exposure - particularly in low-carbon technologies - has provided Zara with a strong foundation for a future-focused career and valuable growth within the energy transition space
Developing valuable skilled while learning about our business
Now in his third year at Wood, Matthew Yong, a Project Group I&C Graduate Engineer, has contributed to a diverse portfolio of major minerals and metals projects across Australia and abroad - from lithium refinery developments in Portugal to gold operations in Papua New Guinea and Western Australia.
Based in Perth, Matthew is currently supporting one of the region’s largest gold mining projects. His role focuses on the detailed design of a pressure oxidation autoclave system, where he develops cable calculations, instrument specifications, and vendor interfaces.
“Not only am I learning the engineering processes behind designing and procuring major equipment,” Matthew says, “but I’m also gaining a deep understanding of the process technology that drives these operations. That combination has been incredibly valuable.”
A program designed for long‑term growth
Wood’s graduate program in Australia runs for two years, aligned with the global graduate framework and combining induction with structured development workshops. Graduates are based across Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne and Perth, working on projects that matter.
Find out more from our Early Careers Advisor, Sandro Tozzi, here.
Final week to apply
With applications now in their final week, this is the last chance to join Wood’s 2026 Australian graduate intake. Applications close soon - apply now and start building your future at Wood.