Jessica Bohorquez

What is your role at Ricardo?
I am a Senior Consultant in the Water Team in Adelaide; the primary focus of my role is supporting clients with hydraulic modelling needs and more recently asset management and water strategy. I also coordinate the STEM charity activities in Australia. 

What does your average day at Ricardo look like? 
Every day in Ricardo can be quite different. Depending on my current projects I might be working from our office or the client’s office. I spent most of my time on the computer working on models, reports, or presentations. However, some of the projects do involve site visits which is always a good break from the routine. A normal day will also involve a coffee to start the day and have lunch in our kitchen while chatting with some colleagues.

What do you look forward to at work? 
A big part is always to spend time with colleagues working on projects or getting to know them personally. On the work side, I always look forward to a challenge. Consulting work exposes you to many types of projects and it tests your problem-solving skills. It is good to use that daily!

What do you find most rewarding at work? / Are you proud to work at Ricardo?
Guiding professionals who are just starting in the business and their careers is something I find very rewarding. Teaching is something I used to do earlier in my career and I deeply enjoy using those skills at work. Ricardo provides a space to do that by having a very flexible structure where you can be a leader for certain projects while being the “junior” professional in others.  

What was your team’s latest achievement and how was it celebrated?
We celebrated the end of a good financial year by visiting a brewery and socialising! It was a broad Adelaide activity rather than my specific team which is how we run activities as we are a tight group!

How have you developed your career at Ricardo? 
Ricardo opened the doors for me when I had spent most of my career in Academia and Research. Since I joined, they have supported my career by exposing me to a wide range of projects where I can use my experience and get more experience in other areas. An amazing opportunity that Ricardo facilitated for me is my participation in the Superstars of STEM program (run by Science and Technology Australia). This program has been a fantastic career development opportunity.

How do you support career development opportunities for your team?
I am not a line manager but I try to encourage young professionals in our office to join events and opportunities through the Australian Water Association.

What do you most enjoy about working with your team?
Having exposure to a variety of water clients and supporting them with their needs is very enjoyable because I learn about different aspects of the industry very fast. Even if I am new in an area, I know I have the support of more senior people that I can ask questions to and I can be that support for younger people as well.

What opportunities do you have at Ricardo to share your knowledge or expertise?
Locally having informal conversations with colleagues, we learn about each other’s expertise. In the last few months, there have been sessions with Ricardo in other practices and geographies where we can learn about what other people do. Maybe in the future, I can do one on hydraulic modelling!

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career as a Consultant?
Consider a career in consulting for its dynamic work environment, offering exposure to a wide array of industries and challenges. It's an excellent path for continuous learning, problem-solving, and networking. Consultants often enjoy diverse projects and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Ricardo provides multiple avenues to explore career opportunities and industries to apply your skills!