Engineering a more inclusive Australia with CareerSeekers
This World Refugee Day, we are reflecting on our partnership with CareerSeekers, a collaboration at the heart of DT Infrastructure’s social impact strategy that connects skilled humanitarian arrivals to the Australian workforce.
We recently sat down with intern and future engineer, Reza Nazari, who is currently helping deliver one of Australia’s most significant energy projects: Marinus Link. Reza shared his journey relocating from Iran and becoming the first person in his family to attend university.
A career built for legacy
For Reza, engineering isn’t just a career path, it’s a way to honour his roots.
“I grew up in a family of labourers,” Reza reflects. “I always loved seeing how things are being built. I wanted to be part of a team building something you can see come to life and be proud of. I also wanted to inspire my nieces and nephews, to show them that they can pursue a career too.”
Born in Iran to an Afghan family, Reza faced a harsh reality where displacement became the only option after his home city enacted a refugee ban. With a return to war-torn Afghanistan impossible, Australia offered his family a vital path to safety and opportunity.
Arriving at age 17 with no English was a massive hurdle. It led to Reza becoming the oldest student in his high school, starting Year 9 at 17 and eventually graduating at 21.
I was the only one driving myself to school in Grade 10,” he laughs.
Bridging the gap with CareerSeekers
Upon completing high school, Reza pursued an Engineering degree at RMIT. However, as he entered his final year and began seeking professional placement opportunities, a lack of local networks and unfamiliarity with Australian corporate structures made the job market feel inaccessible.
“I was having difficulties putting my CV together and wasn’t getting work opportunities.”
“I found CareerSeekers, and they were able to help me improve my applications and prepare me for interviews. They knew I wanted to be involved in major projects, and they were the ones who connected me with DT Infrastructure (DTI).”
Joining the Marinus Link team at DTI
Since joining the team as an intern at the start of 2026, Reza has been embedded within the Land Cable Construction (LCC) team for Marinus Link. Working three days a week in our Melbourne office, he has successfully moved beyond university theory, mastering industry-specific software, performing quantity takeoffs, and translating complex design packages.
His day-to-day role involves collaborating closely with engineering and project management teams to ensure operations are completely site-ready.
“At university, you learn the theory, but here, I’m getting experience with software and plan reading that you just can’t get in a classroom.”
“Being part of a ‘once-in-a-generation’ project like Marinus Link is exactly where I wanted to be.”
A message for World Refugee Day
As Reza prepares to graduate with his Bachelor of Engineering this June, he is looking forward to the next step in his professional journey. For him, World Refugee Day is a crucial opportunity to raise industry awareness about the immense capabilities of skilled migrants.
“Refugees often face language barriers or a lack of professional networks, but those things do not reflect a person’s technical capability,” Reza emphasises.
“We just need that first door to open so we can gain the real-life experience that lets us contribute to the country.”
To other skilled professionals walking a similar path, his advice is simple:
“Trust the process. Don’t feel limited or held back. You can go further than you think, and the opportunities are out there if you keep pushing.”