Over the past 3 months, PhD scholar Reza Abbasi completed an internship with International Marina Consultants as part of his PhD. He sat down with us and shared his thoughts on the experience.
In the second year of my PhD candidature, supported by the Blue Economy CRC, I had the opportunity to undertake an industry internship with International Marina Consultants (IMC) in Brisbane. With over 120 years of combined team experience in the planning, appraisal, and design of world-class marinas and associated waterfront facilities, IMC provided a rich environment for professional growth.
Under the expert guidance of IMC’s Director, John, whose personal experience spans more than 30 years in marina design and analysis worldwide, I was able to deepen my understanding and apply my academic skills to real-world engineering challenges. This placement was a key component of my professional development as an early-career academic, allowing me to gain invaluable industry experience and better appreciate how research can address practical needs and constraints.
The internship greatly boosted my confidence in my technical skills and helped me identify and fill gaps in my research, particularly related to practical applications in the field. Working closely with a team of experienced engineers, I gained first-hand insight into the complexities of designing marinas within industry guidelines and the constraints that arise in practice. This exposure enhanced my ability to align my research with the real challenges faced by the industry.
Feedback and mentorship from my supervisor at IMC were instrumental in refining my research design and methods, making my work more robust and relevant to real-world problems. Overall, the placement has had a significant positive impact on both my research capabilities and my readiness for a successful career in industry and academia.
Beyond the professional benefits, this experience was personally rewarding, as it challenged me to adapt to a new workplace culture — an exciting and enriching step outside my comfort zone.
As I reflect on this journey, I would share this advice:
“It’s great to get close to the industry and experience it firsthand — it makes research feel much more real and grounded. So, don’t feel uncomfortable with changes; use your skills in a commercial setting to identify the gaps.”
I would like to sincerely thank the Director of IMC, John, for his care and the effort he put into supporting my internship in every aspect — from sharing his expertise and guiding me through real engineering challenges to, as an additional highlight, showing how IMC maintains strong connections with the factory for marina construction.
A big thanks also goes to the Blue Economy CRC and my supervisor, Prof. Tom Baldock, for their generous support in providing this invaluable opportunity.
