MENTEE – Jasim Al-juboori

“The mentors who were involved in this program are the best in their fields, and the advice that was provided by them is unrivalled.”

I understand in the previous decades; the PhD provides a direct path towards academia. When I learnt about the IMNIS program, I believed, it could be a great opportunity to learn how to connect the academia with the industry field. I am studying for a PhD degree in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide. My PhD project is focused on developing the HTL technology to produce fuel from waste like bio-solids and sludge, also developing the characterisation methods of bio-solids and sludge. The reason that leads me to be interested in this project was my belief that the biofuel will be the new generation of energy. I participated in the South Australian IMNIS program in 2017 under the great mentorship of Peter Coldrey.

Why did you participate in the IMNIS program?

Participating in the IMNIS program was an excellent opportunity to learn about  industry, it opened a new path and vision that was different from academia. In this program, I learnt how to look at my PhD research from industry’s point of view, and how to develop my skills to be suitable for an industrial career path.

How often did you meet with your mentor and did you prepare for these meetings? What was the best piece of advice you received? What was the most important aspect of this professional relationship for you?

My mentor and I met several times. In our first meeting, I prepared questions regarding the career of my mentor, and his experience in the industry sector. Our conversation flowed easily, and the following meetings were informal and relaxed but always focused on developing my skills to fit the industrial sector. The best pieces of advice that my mentor offered me was that I should be flexible about my career future and I should choose a career that would fulfill my ambitions.

Would you recommend participating in the IMNIS program to your peers?

Yes, I already recommended the IMNIS program to my peers, because it is a rewarding program. The mentors who were involved in this program are the best in their fields, and the advice that was provided by them is unrivalled.

What was the most rewarding aspect of the IMNIS program for you?

The most rewarding aspect of the program was gaining a role model that inspired me and sharpened my ambitions and aspirations.

Did IMNIS help you get to where you are now?

The IMNIS program changed my vision toward the future of my career and helped me understand that there are many paths and options that could lead me to be successful in my future.