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Highlights of the week:
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Navigating the Career Waters: My Journey in the
Built Environment
By Dawn Teo, Principal Project Manager,
Member of IES
Young Engineers Committee
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Dear Students,
As a wide-eyed 19-year-old, I was pursuing a
degree in Environmental Engineering in NTU. However, I found myself
grappling with uncertainty about whether this was the path I truly wished
to pursue.
It all began with a simple choice — choosing an
internship in my 3rd year. It wasn't a grand vision or the amount of
internship allowance that led me to my first engineering internship; it
was, quite unexpectedly, the office’s location.
Looking at the list of internships provided by the
school, most of the internships offered were in far flung industrial areas.
However, this consultancy firm stood out in the exciting Central Business
District area. Little did I know that this seemingly whimsical decision
would set the stage for my journey.
As an engineering intern, I was given the
opportunity to learn about the structural design for major infrastructures
in Singapore and the design process that went behind every tunnel section,
slip roads and viaducts. I never looked at an expressway tunnel the same
way again! Amidst my other tasks, I was also documenting minutes during
coordination meetings. It seemed like such a bore but in retrospect, it
gave me a valuable skill that sets the foundation for a future career as an
organised project manager.
I graduated in 2009, right smack amid the Great
Recession. While many of my classmates were struggling to find a job, I was
fortunate to secure a position as a Structural Design Engineer with the
same company. Some notable projects that I was part of were the Marine
Coastal Expressway and MRT stations along the Downtown Line.
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Sometime later in my 20s, I was looking for a new
challenge – so I moved on to join a Main Contractor. I remembered someone
telling me on my last day of work at the consultancy firm, “You wouldn’t last
very long in a Main Contractor”. And yet, I did – for the next few years –
and it was one of the most enriching experiences in my career. Each day in
the construction field brings a sense of purpose and excitement, as I
collaborate with a diverse team made up of architects, design consultants
and sub-contractors.
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Figure 1 As a
Planning Engineer in a Main Contractor
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In the Built Environment, the contractor is
generally considered the least glamourous party of them all. Contractors often
toil behind the scenes, diligently bringing the architect’s artistic vision
and engineers' calculations to life. It never ceases to amaze me that one
day I will be standing on the green field waiting for mobilisation to
begin, and the next moment, a building has risen before my eyes. Every day
as I walk through the site, there's an undeniable sense of wonder as I
witness the walls going up, floors taking shape, and the skeleton of a
building gradually becoming a functional space. On any given day for one of
my projects – a campus development – we have several thousand workers and
site staff present. So much hard work and coordination took place behind
the scenes. It was incredibly exciting to see!
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About five years ago, I made the switch and joined
a Developer as a project manager. In construction, the key parties are
Developer, Consultants, and Main Contractor – and I have arrived at a
position where I could apply the skills harnessed over the years. For
instance, through my experience as a Consultant and Main Contractor – I
understand the unique challenges and concerns faced by them. With this
sense of empathy, I can resolve conflicts and foster better collaboration
as the Owner’s representative.
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Figure 2
Safety Day with partners in the Built Environment
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Looking back, I wouldn’t have imagined I am where
I am today – to have played a part in building various key infrastructures
and buildings in Singapore. Keep in mind, it's okay to feel uncertain at
times. Here’s a proactive step you can take to empower yourself in shaping
your career path – join the IES student chapter!
As a member of the Young Engineers Committee in
IES, I am happy to be part of a dynamic community dedicated to nurturing
the careers of emerging engineers like yourself. By getting involved, you
will gain access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and
professional development events that can kickstart your journey in the
engineering world. It is important that we support one another in this
exciting adventure.
Click here to join us and take the first step
towards a thriving engineering career!
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