THE PROGRESS REPORT: From curiosity to career – breaking into the space industry

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

What does it really take to find your place in one of Australia’s most niche industries – and how do you turn curiosity into a meaningful career?

What does it really take to find your place in one of Australia’s most niche industries – and how do you turn curiosity into a meaningful career?

In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Mary Pillay, a space and robotics engineer and ambassador of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance. Mary shares how her journey began with a chance industry night at university, her experience cold emailing companies to land her first internship, and the mentorship that helped her grow into a confident professional.

From being thrown into the deep end during her first week to guiding students and young professionals into the space sector, Mary opens up about the importance of putting yourself out there, seizing opportunities, and surrounding yourself with supporters who believe in you.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Progress Report team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 10: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert
Episode 8: PODCAST: Australia’s shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia
Episode 6: PODCAST: Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east
Episode 5: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 3: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 2: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell