Alumni Profile: Matthew Webb
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Degree: Bachelor Engineering/Science 2004 Matthew Webb is making a valuable contribution as an engineer working on significant medical research programs. His decision to work for Vision Bio-Systems has given him the opportunity to operate as a project manager for a new software upgrade and he's learnt the value of doing some research into the best places for a graduate to work. |
What does your current work at the Vision Bio-systems involve?
My official title is Systems Engineer and I currently work on the flagship product for Vision BioSystems – the Bond IHC staining system. IHC is an abbreviation for immunohistochemistry. IHC is a specific branch of histology and pathology that involves detecting and diagnosis of various diseases through the use of complex chemical assays, which are performed on pre-prepared patient tissue samples. Pathologists can then analyse the stained tissue to determine whether cells are positive for certain diseases, particularly cancer.
My current role involves much more than technical aspects surrounding the mechanical and electrical design and development of the Bond system. I am the project manager for the latest software package upgrade for Bond. This includes a controlling PC and two semi-autonomous processing systems – a heating and positioning core module and the processor in the actual instrument.
What does a standard day at the office entail for you?
Multiple tasks requiring attention all at once!
What’s the most difficult decision you have had to make in your career?
I decided to start a career with Schlumberger Oilfield Services, attracted by the travel and the outdoor lifestyle. However, I did not agree with the company culture and strict time commitments and expectations. My decision to resign was the hardest career choice I’ve made – thus far.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
The company culture has always been flexible and supportive and the team environment that we have grown in Bond Projects provide excellent surroundings in which to enjoy my job. I enjoy the multiple facets of my role, whether they are technically oriented, in planning or communication and negotiation. The variety is great.
What inspires you about your job and life in general?
I am sticking with the company because of the ability to work in an area where you believe that your work makes a significant contribution to the company and to wider society. I suppose intelligent people who make scientific breakthroughs and broaden knowledge inspire me. But it is the people who use their intelligence and skill to help others that are the real inspiration.
What is the most stressful or difficult aspect of your job?
The test in project management comes when the project starts to falter. Tasks don’t get done and progress becomes curtailed. It then becomes difficult – both within the project team and with company management – to reorganise priorities and re-focus goals and expectations. At this stage I’m only a novice and it is a challenge to pick up several somewhat unmeasurable skills in quick succession.
What are the key challenges of project management and did your science and engineering degrees prepare you for this aspect of your job?
Project Management requires the generalised skills of engineering and science – skills that often you don’t realise you possess until you think about how you complete your job. These include an ability to analyse problems, assimilate large amounts of information quickly and maintain a balanced, structured decision-making process.
While the technical involvement is not strong, project management has allowed me to learn other skills. Budgetary planning, costing, resource and task estimates are essential tools for effective project management. Learning to track multiple tasks through different phases of the project is also a key, as this allows you to know quickly if progress is lacking.
What are your strongest memories of life at uni while you were studying at University of Melbourne?
Falling asleep in 8am and 9am lectures and lunch on the concrete lawn! I also recall a lot of hard work through final year engineering to complete design and research projects. However, I am still proud of the end result from our team’s research project into Hot Dry Rock power generation. There are also fond memories of ridiculously large Science Balls and fantastic scenery during geology field trips.
What were your favourite classes/lectures while you were doing your degree at Melbourne?
Field geology and Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer. The former was an opportunity to put theory into practice, allowed us a week away from the lecture theatres with mates, and threw us outdoors into some of the best rural scenery in Victoria. The latter was a favourite partly due to a fascination with combustion, but also because of its links to energy generation. A good lecturer also swung my opinion here.
What do you like to do in your spare time – hobbies etc?
I have recently bought a small townhouse in the Melbourne suburbs, which keeps my spare time occupied. One day I’ll unpack all the boxes that lie around. When I make the time, I follow the local and international news scene and catch up with recent science news. To keep fit I enjoy morning jogs and swimming, plus I volunteer some time on the Mornington Peninsula with Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club.
Do you have any advice about life/career after study to pass on to current students?
It is easy in hindsight to proffer advice – I suppose that experience is the beginning of wisdom. My best advice to engineering students is to make the time to learn about as many places to work as you can. Then you might be able to decide where you want to go after uni. I also know how hard you need to work to achieve good results while studying and how hard it is to find time to research your career. However, it is worth finding a workplace where you feel that the work is worthwhile and that you are valued for your contribution.
