By Optus Careers

Our Network Field Technicians and Network Engineers are powering optimism with options for our customers and keeping Australia connected when we need it most. Through COVID-19, floods, bushfires and network emergencies, our amazing Networks people are at the heart of it.

We spoke with three of our people in the Field who are working to help ensure the reliable and exceptional performance of our Network, to learn all about their incredible career journeys at Optus.

Meet Marites Abarra, Senior Network Engineer from our Sunshine Exchange in VIC; Michael Rogers, Fibre Technician from our Baulkham Hills Exchange in NSW; and James Westhorp, a Network Engineer from our Hume Exchange in ACT. 

You're all doing inspiring work in the Field. Tell us about your career at Optus so far and your current role.

Marites: I’ve been working at Optus for 26 years. You can say I’ve grown up with Optus! I’ve seen it all – from dial up to mobile phones. Right now, I’m a Senior Network Engineer where I work on the provisioning of services, fixing faults and maintaining our Network facilities.

Michael: My story is just beginning at Optus. I joined a year ago and I absolutely love it. I’m a Fibre Technician in the Fibre Maintenance team.  My role is to fix service interruptions on the fibre optic network. That entails identifying the fault location and fixing the problem. It’s quite fun being able to work in unique environments like tunnels and sub-stations in the city to find and fix faults. I especially love working with our VIP clients. A big part of my role is also travelling regionally which is great. 

James: I’ve been at Optus coming up to 10 years. I’m currently a Network Engineer and I have loved working in Networks. It has been a great experience for me. I have met great people and my role has been very diverse and interesting.

Currently I’m based more in our Hume Satellite and Exchange facility while also working in Service Assurance and Damages and Relocation (DAR). 

Why did you choose to pursue a career in Networks at Optus?

Marites: My background is in Electronics and Communications Engineering, so it was a natural progression to work in this industry. What attracted me to Optus was that it had so much potential. When I started, we were an industry disrupter, and I like to think we still are. What keeps me here is that there is still so much potential as to what Optus can achieve. 

Michael: I love keeping customers connected. I also really like the team culture and environment within Networks. Our team works collaboratively, and everyone is willing to help each other.

James: Honestly, I kind of fell into it. I was working with a local contractor and embedded into the team in here the ACT. When a position opened, after seeing the culture and people at Optus, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. Prior to joining though, I’ve always been an Optus customer. I remember my Dad took me to an Optus store back when I was a teen to get my first phone!

What do you enjoy the most about your current role?

Marites: It’s hard to pinpoint just one! Our work can be challenging at times, but we all strive to deliver and even surpass our customers’ expectations. I feel that at Optus, everyone has the attitude of making the impossible, possible. It’s very rewarding. 

Michael: To be honest, I love it all! I have a real sense of Optus pride – I’m proud to drive my Optus van and wear my Optus uniform. In my role, I’m always working on critical items but there is a real sense of collaboration.  

James: The thing I enjoy most as a Network Engineer is travelling the region we service for installations and faults. It has allowed me to see more of this country than I otherwise would have.

What's been your best Optus moment?

Marites: One that really stood out to me was there was a particular challenge where we had to provision our services to a client and the turn around time frame was short. My involvement was to build a circuit and I had only one day to do it! The equipment I needed was actually flown to me from Sydney. Although it was a challenge, our team pulled together with a can-do attitude to get the job done. We were then recognised by our senior leaders for all our hard work – I was very proud!

Michael: There have been so many great moments, it’s too hard to pick just one. For me it’s the day-to-day moments where I’m able to fix a problem and find a solution for our customers. 

James: I once was called out to a mobile site to solve a critical fault. The site was very difficult to get to by car and the site was the only path that was servicing our Snowy Mountains region, so it was important to get everything up and running quickly. To get there, we charted a helicopter! I will never forget coming in to land on a hilltop next to our tower.

What are the top three pieces of advice you'd give to someone looking to start their career in Networks?

Marites: As a woman in technology, my biggest advice would be to our future women of Networks. Don’t be afraid of a career in Networks thinking it is for men only. We are more than capable of achieving incredible things! I’d also say, try to be adaptable and willing to take on new challenges. Lastly, enjoy the journey!

Michael: Be adaptable as you may be working in an environment with competing priorities. Be positive and lastly, it’s no secret that effective and efficient stakeholder management is a key element to the success of our brand.

James: Get to know your colleagues in other states or locations, there’s a wealth of knowledge to draw on there. I’d also say to look for ways to diversity your skillsets. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!

What are you most excited about the future in Networks?

Marites: 5G! I’m excited to see what it’s capable of delivering and to see how it evolves. It’s going to be interesting to see what the world can do with all that bandwidth and speed, and how it will be applied in daily life. 

Michael: So many things, but especially 5G. We’re not just going to be a telco, we’re getting bigger and better. 

James: I’m keen to see where 5G will lead us. With the massive improvements it brings for our core and mobile networks, I think there are exciting times ahead.

Inspired to start your next adventure in our Networks Field teams at Optus? Applications are open now for our 2022 Optus Network Field Cadet Program, for our Field teams across Australia. Check out our open Cadet roles.