This week, we meet with one of the ACES Young Consulting Engineer of the Year award recipients - Hng Ming Yang, an electrical engineer from MEP team, to find out what are some of his biggest takeaways from winning the award.
My inspiration for the future: One day, my contribution will help you shape the Singapore skyline. It is in my passion to make you healthy while you shine.
Hng Ming Yang was a recipient of the BCA-WSP Joint Scholarship in 2016 and has been with the Singapore office for two years. WeWork office at Beach Road, M+S office at DUO and INFOR office at UIC Building are among the many projects he has worked on. Ming Yang is currently working on The Garden Residences and the new Funan tenancy project.
You were recently named Young Consulting Engineer of the Year at the 2019 ACES Awards, alongside five other colleagues. How do you feel about receiving the award?
It is an honour to be selected by the judging panel to receive this award.
I must say, my biggest takeaway from this experience was the preparation process that went into my submission. It was an opportunity for me to reflect on my achievements to-date, gather valuable and constructive feedback from the esteemed panel that will help me in future projects.
What was the process like when preparing your submission?
The process started with a brainstorming session on which projects I ought to showcase in my submission. I drew up a draft report and prepared a presentation deck, both were used in my discussions with my seniors and superiors. My seniors gave helpful feedback on I should structure my report. After I was shortlisted for an interview, my superiors worked closely with me to prepare my presentation deck. They provided pointers to help me understand the shortfalls and guided me through areas for improvement. This were very useful in ensuring that I presented my best self to the jury.
What did you hope to achieve when you decided to enter the award?
My first thought was to emerge a recipient of the award and for that to happen, I would have to work hard in the preparation process.
All that changed as soon as I started work. I pulled out the notebook which I used daily to track my tasks. I have always written down a list of tasks to complete, flipping to a new page when the previous is full and I do not look back on what has been done. It was during this time that I came to realise how much I have accomplished in the last two years, and how and what I could have done differently.
At the end of the day, the biggest boost I received from this award was a chance at self-discovery and the opportunity to reflect on my professional career.
If there was one word that you can use to inspire fellow colleagues, what will it be and why?
Seek. Seek new things. Seek potential issues and new solutions. Seek growth. Seek happiness at work. Seek passion. If you lose your way while searching, seek a helping hand.
Tell us one thing about yourself that few people know about.
I’m a coffee-addict. 3 cups a day keeps the doctor away. True story.
Check back next week for the second of this five-part series!
