The field of construction and engineering is constantly developing, implementing the latest technologies, and staying ahead of the game on a global level.
Being a freshly graduated Civil Engineer can be truly overwhelming, especially when the time comes to transform theory into practice.
This was our main topic when we talked to Ms. Nadica Atanasovska, a Structural Civil Engineer, the youngest employee that BREON ever had, ambitious and determined, that started learning and implementing BIM technology.
More about her onboarding process into her first job ever, the educational program she concluded as a part of that, and her practical experience in high-level engineering for the Swiss market read from the interview below.
For someone in my position, which is just starting to get into the world of civil engineering profession and career, I don’t think that I could find a better opportunity as this company provided. At first, it was very challenging because it’s nothing like what we used to learn at the faculty. With the right mindset and motivation, everyone can achieve anything, and that’s my guide during this journey.
I was always a massive fan of architecture, mathematics, and physics. So civil engineering is quite a combination of those three things. Plus, I have a family history of interests in this field, and I guess it had a significant impact on the choice I made for a future career.
I have never expected to be accepted so fast, as a new member of the company.
My older colleagues are always helpful, as they have immense experience in this job. I love the mutual understanding and respect that we have towards each other, in good or even at challenging times.
I can guarantee that no other company in Macedonia will provide this kind of opportunity. When you leave school, the expectancy is to have all the knowledge needed to do the job. But unfortunately, the lack of practical experience is missing here. BREON gives you a one-of-a-kind opportunity to start, learn and develop from zero, and yet you get paid for all that time. For people in my position, this is a perfect chance to know what is missing and to develop in the right direction from the start.
I have learned so many new things that I never even knew existed. Now I can just see how far behind our country is in the field of civil engineering. Maybe it takes a more significant investment and motivation to get on that high level, but the results are worth it. I have learned many new ways to make the job easier for everyone included in the building process, and I think soon, we have to adopt some of these crucial things that make the Western countries so much better than us.
I am not familiar with another company that works with BIM in Macedonia. Some of the architects maybe, but civil engineers, no. And as we already know, BIM is the future of civil engineering, and since the beginning of my career, I decided that I want to be part of that future. It seems easier to work on what you know and what you studied for, but I am always up for new challenges and have a strong will to learn and upgrade all the time.
It is easier to continually overlook what you are doing, how the building looks, and the 3D Model is excellent for that purpose.
The best part of BIM for me is the collaborations between all different stakeholders that are part of building a structure. It makes the job so much easier, time and cost-effective as well. And that is the goal that we are aiming for.
Even though part of the team is working from home, we regularly talk to each other and communicate on Skype, so it’s the same as all of us being at the office. We usually make a schedule at the end of the week for the next week to have a clear view of what we want to achieve, and we aim to do that. We try to focus on the projects, and the central question of the day is – Who are we doing this for? When you achieve to answer that question for yourself, you will get good at what you are doing, and the focus and the will to do so will come along.
The essential skill for this job is MOTIVATION. Without that, you can’t achieve anything. Then after that comes fast-thinking, constant learning, and understanding of things. You have to have in mind that just because you finished school doesn’t mean that you stop learning there. The most important knowledge comes when you start working and yet to find what you love and what makes you happy doing the job.
I hope that things would get much more comfortable one day and with far fewer mistakes and problems that usually occur in the process of realizing an actual project, which means even better collaboration between different stakeholders.
I think that that is the ultimate goal for BIM. And that would change so many things, plus there comes the actual use of BIM, more adequate time, and less money spent.
This industry never stops, people are continually building and reconstructing, so I wouldn’t say that we have worries about it. We keep moving forward and trying to get better and better all the time.
We at BREON have another job opening for a Civil Engineer position. Join us!
