Reflections after one month Intern @ DTL1 PMN

DTL1 PMN faces a few construction constraints - existing high rise structures in the vicinity, various utility diversions required, close proximity to existing CCL PMN station. Amazed by how the construction team managed to these problems in their stride and work around these problems - hacking existing pillars to make space for micropiling, application of additives to the marine clay to smoothen excavation process...to name a few.

Technical challenges aside, I'm sure i'll be able to grasp a good hold of them when I work my way up from a junior engineer. What I'm more concerned about is where I see myself standing at if I am staying in LTA for a pong long time. Do I see myself as a key personnel in the management, or do I see myself as a technical specialist like tunnel expert PCK?

I start by reviewing some of the memorable moments during my past month here, and I realise them to be the various progress meetings, instrumentation meetings, coordination meetings, and of course the post meeting sharing with Dave and Ed. I think no matter where I go, I want to be improving the working relationship of everyone (bottom-up and top-down). Would management be the way for me then? Probably not. Management always feel very distant from me. I would prefer to be closer to the ground and managing a smaller team more directly and closely. AndI suppose, if I want to revolutionalise certain stereotypical working relationships in LTA (or any other public sector - which are often labelled inflexible, one-way communication due to hierachy, uncreative and not open to ideas and changes...), I would need to develop myself such that I can be part of a strong voice to speak up for the people on the ground and voice out their sentiments. I feel that this is a strong calling I have for myself, ever since young...to be an effective communicator or peacemaker who works towards communicating happiness between two.parties.

So why choose the field of civil engineering to effect such a change? I was directed here by my passion. To build something enormous via the physics way of dealing with design. And therefore, to be able to fulfil my calling here, first and foremost, I have to gear up myself with the excellent qualities of an engineer working on the ground. Only then can I springboard myself to the bridge connecting us to the management.

To effect a positive change.