Civil Engineer
Name: Eden Knespal
Career stage: Mid-level - 5-10 years' experience
Working: Office
High School Subjects: Advanced English, Extension Math (3 Unit), Physics, Chemistry and Society & Culture (plus Art in year 11)
Favourite: Physics! My teacher was SUPER passionate and made our lessons super engaging by conducting experiments and giving real life examples and applications for every topic we learned. I was fascinated to learn how things work, from sound waves to stars
Further study: University
where and what: Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) at UNSW
""In construction, every single project you work on is a real life structure that makes a difference to a family, a company or a community. I think that's pretty special"
the inside scoop…
What does a Civil Engineer actually do? I design things like roads, bridges, earthworks, drainage and other infrastructure. To understand what my "design" really means, let's take an example, such as the road you took to get to school. Before any asphalt is laid, a civil engineer (like me) needs to design the road. First, I look at the area where the road will go. I consider things like how many cars will use it, what the landscape is like (hills, rivers, etc.), and if there are any houses or buildings nearby. Then, I start sketching and planning. It's a bit like drawing a map in 3D. I decide how many lanes the road should have, where traffic lights and stop signs should go, what the speed limit should be and how big to make curves and turns for safety. I also think about things you might not notice, like drainage – making sure rainwater doesn't flood the road, and make sure the pavement is smooth and won't get damaged easily. All of this design is carried out using computer modelling software. Once the design is ready, I work with the construction teams to turn my design into a real road that people can drive on.
What does a day in your life at work look like? As a design engineer, I spend most of my day in the office. The majority of my time is spent on the computer using software to produce different types of models. I have a lot of interaction with other people like clients, team members, other consultants and Councils, which can take place as meetings or over the phone. Every so often I attend my work sites, sometimes with the client to figure out a plan for what they want to achieve, and sometimes with the construction crew to check on progress and answer any questions or complications.
What's the best part of your job? Being able to drive past a project in my neighbourhood and knowing I helped build that!
What made you realise construction could be for you? In high school I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduating. I was interested math and the sciences, but I also really enjoyed art, English and being creative. I had my "ah ha!" moment while watching a favourite show in my family, Grand Designs (the UK one with Kevin McCloud). It showcased how construction projects could be beautiful and aesthetic; required teamwork, communication and problem solving; and relied on the basis of engineering (science and math) to make it all possible. That sounded like a great mix to me!
What's the best thing about working in construction? Seeing the tangible fruits of your labour! In construction, every single project you work on is a real life structure that makes a difference to a family, a company or a community. I think that's pretty special.
Do you have any advice for young women picking a career? Choosing a career in year 12 can be very daunting, but don't think of it as a lifelong commitment. It's okay to not have the next 50 years planned out! Pick something interests you, and you can always course-correct as you go.
What would you tell your high school self about working in construction? Anyone can do it! Construction is such an incredibly broad industry, there's something rewarding for everyone.
Eden is open to engaging further via: Taking a student for work experience, Speaking at a high school, Mentoring a student.
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Eden Knespal" and we'll pass your message on.