We catch up with Pang Jun Sheng, recipient of ACES Young Consulting Engineering of the Year Award for 2019, and find out about his post-award thoughts and he has been up to.
What have you been up to since you clinched this award?
I am currently working on commercial project in Woodlands, where it is one of uniquely few designated zones for URA masterplans. This project is set to house a business park - a first in the northern region of Singapore.
This project is particularly challenging for the team as we must plan future M&E infrastructure with limited information. In addition, we are heavily involved in multiple brainstorming sessions with the client, architect and structural engineers to ensure feasibility of the ideas that were placed for discussion.
What were some of the challenges you faced in your course of work and how did you overcome them?
As a mechanical engineer, one most commonly faced challenge will be to provide solutions for the electrical requirements of the project. This is prevalent especially during client meetings and often faced by electrical engineers when questioned about the mechanical requirements.
From my experience, I strongly encourage fellow engineers to understand the fundamentals of other specialised fields in engineering even if it is out of scope of work or area of expertise. This will not only enable external parties to understand what you are doing as a company, but also help you respond to any question confidently. This, in turns, helps you earn the trust of your clients and other fellow consultants.
How does this award impact your career as an engineer?
The award further reinforces industry recognition of one’s contributions to the industry. I am honoured to be a recipient of this year’s awards.
How do you think you can make a positive difference in the workplace with this award?
The number of award recipients this year creates a positive impact in the workplace as it is a testament to the company that the leadership direction for employees and their individual growth is effective, and in turn boosts staff morale, increases productivity and efficiency, and enhances staff retention.
What advice would you give to other colleagues entering the award next year?
Don’t be afraid to speak up about your contributions towards the projects you choose to showcase. Speak with passion. Apart from meeting the judging criteria, which must be demonstrated clearly in the presentation and report, if the judges can see and have a good sense of your enthusiasm towards your contributions, it reflects your dedication and devotion to ensure the success of the projects.
Check back next week for the last of this five-part series!
Click below to read the previous article:
In conversation: Young engineering professionals making waves in the industry
In conversation: Getting to know the ACES 2019 award winners
In conversation: Women in engineering
