I caught up with Lachlan Jewell, Mechanical Engineer at Hanlon Industries, whose work sits at the intersection of systems, compliance, continuous improvement, and leadership. We spoke about soft skills in engineering, leadership growth, and the importance of consistency early in your career.
đź“Ť Q: Engineering is often seen as technical, but your work involves communication, leadership, and systems thinking. Do you think soft skills are underrated in engineering?
Lachlan: “Definitely underrated. University teaches a lot of technical skills, and those are important, especially when working across systems and processes. But soft skills are what help you communicate those ideas effectively.
A big part of engineering is adapting your communication so people from different backgrounds can understand the same information. Those transferable skills become incredibly valuable in both technical and leadership roles.”
📍 Q: You held leadership roles with the Deakin Engineering Society (DES) while studying at Deakin University. What did leading peers teach you that university classes couldn’t?
Lachlan: “I originally stepped into leadership as a challenge for myself because I realised there were areas I lacked confidence in. I had already started building those skills through roles at Subway® Australia as a 2IC and Training Manager, then through volunteering and extracurricular activities.
I also wanted to give back to the university because engineering can be a really challenging degree. Supporting students and helping create that community taught me a lot more about leadership than a classroom ever could.”
đź“Ť Q: A lot of young professionals want rapid success. From your experience, what role do patience and consistency play in building a strong career?
Lachlan: “They play a massive role. In the back of my mind, of course I want to progress quickly, but I’ve been lucky to have supportive managers at Hanlon and Subway who gave me opportunities to grow.
One thing I’ve always done is say yes to new experiences and different tasks. Once people see you consistently showing up and delivering, trust starts to build. That mindset helped me grow through university and work. Consistency and strong relationships are two of the most valuable things you can have.”
đź“Ť Q: One message for the world
Lachlan: “Don’t forget where you came from. Stay ambitious, but don’t lose sight of the people and experiences that helped shape you.”
✨ Key Takeaway:
Lachlan’s journey shows that growth is not built on technical ability alone. The people who create long term impact are often the ones willing to communicate well, stay consistent, and keep saying yes to opportunities that challenge them.
