As a skilled Process Engineer, Karlien plays a key role in improving the energy efficiency, environmental impacts and quality at our paper mill in Tumut, New South Wales.  

Karlien works with almost every other part of Visy, including other engineering disciplines like mechanical, electrical and civil engineers, logistics, laboratory and testing, and research.   

She joined Visy after finishing a master’s degree in energy engineering.  

“I was looking for a company that aligns with not only my experience but my vision for the future. Visy was an excellent fit.”  

“Visy also values your development and personal life, and as a woman in industry, something as simple as a good maternity policy really does count. It may not when you are in high school, but when you weigh up having a family and a career—I didn't want to choose.”   

She says her job is challenging and changing, with exposure to many different problems and interesting tasks.  

“I get to work specifically on energy projects, which as my career changed, has become more critical and is also a bit of a passion for me.   

“I get to work for a company that is actively trying to change the world through its circular economy philosophy.”  

“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some major plant upgrade projects, including upgrading boilers. I was part of the energy and efficiency upgrade to the lime kiln advance, which won a national award.   

“Because my job is so varied, I've worked on many automation projects, some simple like optimising data storage and recovery and more complex ones like complete control system changes.”  

Karlien chose engineering because she enjoyed maths and science at school.   

“I've liked maths as long as I can remember, counting, remembering numbers.”  

She says a career in STEM has opened the world up for her.   

“I've been lucky enough to study and work all over the world because of my love of maths and science and working as an engineer.”  

“There is always something new to learn, and if you love finding out facts and how things work, there is no better career than one in STEM.”  

The United Nation’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science is held annually, and is on 11 February 2025.