Welcome to the team, Alec

Some team additions feel like a full circle moment. Alec McKay first came through Topo's doors as a work experience student, went on to spend three years gaining hands-on construction experience on site, and has now returned as a Civil Engineer ready to build his career in ESC.

We asked him a few questions to get to know him a little better.

What made you want to study engineering?

I never really had a particular moment where I decided to study engineering. I've always been technically minded and very process-driven – it’s probably the best way to describe my personality. I enjoy breaking things down, researching new topics and understanding how everything fits together. Looking back, engineering seems like a natural fit, even if I didn't necessarily realise it at the time.

What interested you about joining Topo?

I first came across Topo through work experience while studying. It was probably a case of putting the cart before the horse, having had little construction experience at the time. Nevertheless, I had a great experience and really enjoyed honing in on a specific discipline while also learning from some of the best guys in the industry. Topo encouraged me to gain practical experience on site as soon as possible, which led to three years working in construction as an undergraduate. I thoroughly enjoyed building that practical experience, and when the opportunity arose to return to Topo and work alongside the team, it was a natural next step in my career.

What aspects of engineering are you enjoying most so far?

I really enjoy the problem-solving side of engineering, and ESC is essentially one big puzzle. There are lots of variables and possible solutions, and I find the challenge of working towards the most practical and efficient outcome really satisfying. I'm also very process-driven, so finding ways to streamline how things are done really scratches that itch for me. Sitting behind a computer most of the day is taking some adjustment, but it’s beating an early AM concrete pour so far!

What are you looking forward to learning or getting involved with over the next few years?

I'm looking forward to continuing to develop my technical understanding of ESC and working towards professional accreditation. There's heaps of experience within Topo, and I'm keen to learn as much as I can from the team while getting involved in larger and more technically challenging projects. Ultimately, I'd love to carve out my own niche within ESC and become someone the team can rely on for that particular expertise.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I'm a massive rugby union fan, having played for most of my life, and I'm particularly excited for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. I also love travelling whenever time permits, whether that's heading overseas or getting away for a weekend camping on Straddie, Moreton Island or down in northern NSW. Outside of that, I enjoy cooking and spending time at the beach. My ideal weekend would involve a day at the beach or watching the Wallabies at the pub. If I could somehow do both at once, I'd be in heaven – especially if the Wallabies managed a win, although that might be asking a bit too much…

Bonus: Who is your favourite and least favourite Director of Topo?

This is hard. Everyone has their unique way of doing things which is still taking me time to get my head around. But I’m open to bribes if someone wants to put themselves straight to the top of the list.