After initially interning at Tonkin during her university summer break, the enthusiasm and talent that Nicola displayed quickly propelled her engineering career with Tonkin. She worked part-time at Tonkin during her final year of uni, then rolled into full time employment as a Graduate Engineer in Tonkin's Local Government team, based in our Adelaide head office.
During her time with Tonkin, Nicola's civil engineering skills have been put to use on a variety of projects around South Australia, including the Glenelg Oval Redevelopment, Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and Breakout Creek Stage 3 Redevelopment, as well as numerous residential developments. Thanks to her aptitude for project and client management, Nicola is now leading her own projects.
Nicola took part in Tonkin's Graduate Development Program during her first two years with us, so we asked about her experience:
During her time with Tonkin, Nicola's civil engineering skills have been put to use on a variety of projects around South Australia, including the Glenelg Oval Redevelopment, Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and Breakout Creek Stage 3 Redevelopment, as well as numerous residential developments. Thanks to her aptitude for project and client management, Nicola is now leading her own projects.
Nicola took part in Tonkin's Graduate Development Program during her first two years with us, so we asked about her experience:
"The graduate program at Tonkin was really helpful for developing the non-technical skills required to be an engineer.
Communication with clients, report writing, project management, and self-management are just a few examples of the topics we covered."
"The workshops and discussions and we had as part of the Graduate Development Program played a big role in forming good foundations for personal and career growth, and have been vital for performing my day-to-day activities as a project leader now."
Growth opportunities
Nicola talked how the opportunities she has had at Tonkin have played an important role in her fast-paced career progression:
Nicola talked how the opportunities she has had at Tonkin have played an important role in her fast-paced career progression:
"Since graduating, I have had a broad range of experience as a project engineer on various projects in the civil space and have recently been able to step up and start leading projects of my own.
Looking back at my own development, from where I started to where I am now, it's very rewarding. I've built up my skills, knowledge and responsibilities in just a few years, I'm very proud. There are lots of growth opportunities available for early career people at Tonkin. The skills I've learned in Tonkin's programs will help me progress throughout the rest of my career."
To finish, we asked Nicola what she's looking forward to in the future of her career journey.
"There is so much to look forward to as a young engineer. My knowledge and abilities have grown considerably in the past few tears, so I cannot wait to see how I continue to develop, and where the next few decades take me!"
Motivations at work
We asked Nicola what gets her motivated at work, and it's clear that she's passionate about what she does and who she does it with.
"It's really gratifying to deliver on projects that I've been working on. Being able to see things that I've designed, go out and into the real world, and to see people using the spaces we have created, it's really rewarding.
The team at Tonkin are great to work with. I love the team and the culture we have, everyone is super helpful and happy, whenever you need something, a team member is ready and willing to help you."
Are you a student interested to see where a career with Tonkin could take you?
