Civil Engineering Report: Personal Background, Ethics, and Leadership

This report, authored by a civil engineering student at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), provides a comprehensive overview of the author's personal background, motivations for pursuing civil engineering, and key influences on their career choice. The report delves into critical incidents and reactions related to engineering ethics, emphasizing the importance of integrity, impartiality, and adherence to ethical codes in the construction industry. It also outlines plans for future improvements in ethical conduct. Furthermore, the report explores the significance of leadership and teamwork in engineering projects, detailing experiences from internships and academic settings. It highlights the development of communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective teamwork and leadership. The author emphasizes the importance of reacting appropriately to workplace challenges and maintaining confidentiality. The report concludes with a focus on health and safety and sustainability within the workplace, reflecting a commitment to ethical practice and responsible engineering.

1. Landing Page
1.1 Personal Background
My name is Hoang KhanhNguy and I am currently a final year student doing Civil
Engineering at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). UTS is one of the most famous
universities that expertise in engineering in Sydney and that is the reason that I chose UTS for
my engineering course. Moreover, having many relatives who have been living in Australia
for a long time is an advantage for me in term of transition and adaptation to Australia. In
September 2012, I started my studying in Australia with a 3-month English course in UTS:
Insearch and then graduating my foundation course by the end of the year 2013 with an
overall score of 8.6/10. In 2014, I continued my studying with a 4-year of Civil Engineering
course at UTS and expect to graduate in Autumn 2018.
1.2 My motivation to become an engineer
The main reason I chose to study engineering is due to the fact that I do not afraid of
numbers. Having a strong background in mathematics, physics and chemistry from high
school in Vietnam give me even more motivation to become an engineer in the future. In
addition, my uncle was also a huge influence on my interest in engineering. He is a
mechanical - electrical engineer who can fix everything that is gone wrong surrounding him.
He is also an owner of a small mechanic shop, where he provides cars and trucks service to
customers. However, my dream is more than a mechanical or electrical engineer. I prefer to
build things rather than fix things. That why civil engineering is my choice.
1.3 Key Influence on Career Choice
The career of civil engineering has a history of having bright prospect for all potential
candidates. The demand of the construction industry is always likely to be high due to the
fact that most of the construction works are dependent upon the civil engineers. There are
also no major risks of losing the jobs as most of the Australian construction firm offer long
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term job security to the employees. There is also the chance that with high level of job
experience, it is possible for me to initiate my own business of Construction Company.
Hence, it is possible for me to establish myself as a successful entrepreneur.
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 Ethics
Critical Incidents
As an engineering practitioner, it is important for me to deal with the code of ethics
that we use in order to improve upon the skills and id able to work for the betterment
of the society. In my education degree program I have been able to witness the critical
incidents related to the engineering ethics. It is also the duty of the civil engineers to
serve the society and safeguard the interest and keep them ahead of their personal
needs. By following the code of the construction ethics, it is possible for the engineers
to follow a definite framework. According to the engineering ethical codes that are
generated by the Australian government, the primary parameter is to demonstrate
integrity within the workplace. This means that I have to act on the basis of the well
informed conscience. I will have to use my own thinking skills to discern the matters,
which are correct depending upon the situation within every construction work. I also
have to maintain impartiality while dealing with all types of situation that is necessary
to deal with all types of legal matters. While dealing with construction dealers, it is
necessary to deal with most of the important challenges related to the legal contracts. I
will follow strict guidelines that are the part of the legal contracts that are needed to
deal with most of the important matters related to the construction work.
Reactions
It is essential for me to react by following the guidelines of engineering ethics
In this context, I will have to maintain full level of honesty and also have to
understand the critics that are needed to deal with all types of engineering
construction work. Every time within the workplace, I will have to support myself by
providing proper justification that is necessary in every part of my work. There will
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be time, when I may have to face high level of conflicts within the workplace. This
may happen due to the fact that my colleagues may not accept the plan that I had
prepared about any construction work. It is my duty to work in collaboration with all
my colleagues in order to improve the level of working capability and also respect the
opinions about the colleagues. One of the important parts of the engineering duty is to
maintain confidentiality about various matters. This is essential in respect of the fact
that most of the construction companies like to maintain confidentiality while making
the blue print of the construction work.
There are various challenges and changes that are a part and parcel of the construction
work, which is necessary as part of the working criteria that are provided by the
workers. I will regularly seek the help of the peer review that can help me to improve
upon my skills. I can also achieve this purpose by supporting the on-going
development process.
Future Improvements
As a responsible engineer, it is one of duty to ensure that I have the scope for the
future improvement that will help me to follow the ethical concerns and codes for the
engineers. During the time of recruitment, I will only provide genuine documents
related to my education degree and all other internship’s program that has helped me
to develop upon my experience related to the civil engineering. This will help to
maintain my reputation as skilful civil engineers, which is necessary for me to have
high level of working capability. I will also have to maintain high level of honesty in
the process of communication that is needed to deal with the challenge of
coordination with the workplace and minimize the risks of conflicts.
In the subsequent steps I will have to promote sustainability, which is necessary as a
part of the fulfilling the needs of the stakeholders of the construction work. I will also
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provide enough concerns related to the sensitive matters related to the issues within
the workplace that have the chance of compromising the quality of the work. I would
have to take pledge to promote the involvement of the stakeholders. This can help
them to take part in the decision making process, which is needed to deal with most of
the challenges related to the conflicts among the stakeholders.
Reacting to every on unethical condition will be one of my primary duties as a
responsible engineer which will help to ensure that there are no unfair practices
implemented.
Health and safety is also one of the important parts of the ethical codes of the
engineering works. I will have strict level of commitment that can help me to
maintain safety level of environment within the workplace. This can minimize the
risks that are generally associated with all types of engineering works. Proper safety
training will also be provided to the workers, which will help me to ensure all the
labours of construction work are able to deliver the best level of performance in the
construction sites. The health and safety is also necessary to maintain sustainability
within the workplace. It is also essential to maintain high level of sustainability within
the workplace that is necessary to maintain economic development rate. I will thereby
have the commitment to maintain better workforce environment within the workplace
that is one of the major criteria of developing sustainability within the workforce. It is
also one of my duties that are needed to promote sustainability with the work
environment that is needed for the future generation.
 Leadership & Teamwork
Critical Incidents
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As an Engineering student, I have been able to witness various incidents that have
provided me prior experience to the importance of leadership and teamwork in the
construction project works. As a part of the engineering team, it is my duty to have
effective team working ability. From the internship programs, I have been able to gain
high level of experience that is needed to work as a team members of the construction
work. The three months of interest that I have completed in TTM Australia Post
Tensioning have held me to understand the importance of working as a team within
all types of construction projects. In the internship program, I have able to gain
knowledge related to quality assessment and quantitative calculation. As I provided
assistance to the site inspector, I have been able to gain vital experience related to
detecting the quality of materials. This is an important part of the job that I have
learnt. While assisting the project engineer in the construction site, I have understood
about the fact related to teamwork. The engineer and supervisors who were present at
the sides of construction have given valuable advice related to increasing my
efficiency as a team member.
The leadership and teamwork capability was a major part of my training program,
which is mainly based upon theoretical programs. I have been able to gain vital
knowledge Related to define types of leadership that are being implemented in current
days in all type of project works. This was initiated during the time I was studying
Civil Engineering at University of Technology, Sydney.
Leadership skills are essential during the time of crisis in Engineering Management
projects. This is particularly necessary during the time of conflict resolve and
Searching out for nursery solutions depending upon any situation.
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Reactions
As a responsible engineer, it is my duty to have the skills of Management that is
necessary to deal with the challenges in the workplace. I have able to develop
communication skills, which is necessary as a part of team working capability in
construction projects. It is important to mention that communication skills among the
workers of a team are essential to have high level of coordination. This can be
achieved with the help of regular team meetings. I also strongly believe that my team
working ability and communication skills can help me to enhance my leadership
skills. The effective methods that are used in the classroom of engineering degree
course have helped me to develop up on the team working skills and also have the
ability to guide the team members for successful completion of a project.
In my internship program, I have been able to get special classes, where the
supervisors have given me training related to improving my communication skills.
There have been several types of interdisciplinary program which are highly essential
in the context of developing dynamic role of a leader. With the ability to develop the
power of communication, it is possible to deal with all kinds of challenges that exist
within the working environment. The main development of the team working skills
was initiated during the time of the degree course. Being a part of a reputed
engineering college in Sydney, it has helped me to gain vital knowledge related to the
importance of communication and leadership skills, which is regarded as the basics of
developing team working ability. The psychological development is a special part that
is needed to be developed or all engineering candidates as a part of their
communication skill development. This can ultimately help in the process of dealing
with the challenge related to the team work.
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I have also been able to gain interpersonal skills, which is another necessary element
of developing teamwork and leadership within an engineering project. It is necessary
to deal with the challenge of development that is needed as part of the engineering
project.
It is important to react According to every situations of the engineering work, will
help in the cases related to Improving upon my leadership and team working skills.
It is often said that the capability of an engineer is often evaluated by their ability to
communicate with team members. There are many cases, where there could be the
chance of development of conflicts between the engineering workers. Nevertheless,
this conflict can compromise upon the working performance of the overall team. It is
possible for me to deal in this type of scenario that arises due to the facts related to
conflict within the workplace.
The leadership skill is also one of the important parts of engineering careers. As I
have to deal with various Complex project in construction work, leadership is
essential in the context that it can help me to control the workers of the construction
work. Hence, it is possible for me to control all type of workout at different levels in
the engineering team. I will be also able to control the voluntary services that are
provided by various workers. The problem solving ability and the project site can be
gained with the help of effective leadership skills. Critical analysis of every situation
can help me to drive out the best possible solutions. This skill can be developed with
the help of various leadership qualities. Leadership at various positions will help to
deal with expressing out my opinion. I can build upon my reputation with the help of
effective leadership skills and ensure that all the workers and colleagues provide me
with respect in the workplace.
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Future Improvements
I have to keep on developing upon my leadership and team working skills which is
highly necessary in context of improving my future in this sector. With effective
leadership skill, I will be able to build the team of the construction project. It is
essential in context of dealing with Complex level of project management to have
separate team to control is department of the project. As a team leader, it will be my
duty to ensure that there is proper coordination between the workers of the team and
also they are able to develop effective communication among themselves. I can
promote the organization with the help of my leadership skills and attract investors
and stakeholders.
The motivational power will help me in the future to influence others help the inexperienced
team members of the project work to develop upon their interpersonal skills. It is also
essential for a team leader to have an effective motivational power, which will help the
workers to deal with all the major challenges in the workplace. I have taken special training
in my internship degree program about the theory applied by leaders that are aimed to
develop the motivational level among the workers. Hence, it is possible for them to deal with
all the major challenges in the workforce. Currently I do not have major experience in the
leadership department. However, with given time and experience it is possible for me to
develop the skills related to the leadership that can help me in the later part of my career. I
also have the habit to read self-help books help that have helped to develop upon my
knowledge related to team working skills and leadership quality.
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