Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations with migrant and
graduate structural engineers, and many of their stories are truly
heartbreaking. The struggles they face, the sacrifices they make, and the
hurdles they overcome are often overlooked. But behind every challenge is a
decision that shapes the future.
One case that really sticks with us is a migrant engineer who had been working as a pick packer since 2018. It was supposed to be temporary, just a way to make ends meet until she could break into the structural engineering field. But life took over, and she got stuck in that job for years. None of her daily tasks were even remotely related to her structural engineering background, and with every passing day, her dream of working as a structural engineer in Australia felt more distant.
One case that really sticks with us is a migrant engineer who had been working as a pick packer since 2018. It was supposed to be temporary, just a way to make ends meet until she could break into the structural engineering field. But life took over, and she got stuck in that job for years. None of her daily tasks were even remotely related to her structural engineering background, and with every passing day, her dream of working as a structural engineer in Australia felt more distant.
Another story is of a draftsperson who did manage to enter the industry
but found himself stuck in a different way. He worked in drafting for years,
but his structural engineering knowledge was left unused. Recruiters and
employers only ever offered him drafting roles, since all his work experience in
Australia was related to drafting. He felt trapped, unable to advance because
he hadn’t taken the steps to gain the in-demand skills, knowledge and
experience to transition into the structural engineering role he had always
wanted.
These aren’t just stories. These are real people—our previous trainees. And today, both of them are working as structural engineers, achieving the careers they had always dreamed of.
I’ve come to believe that the situations we find ourselves in are often shaped by the decisions we make. As a business owner, I had to learn that firsthand. I had to upskill in management, in business, and in areas where I knew I was lacking.
The truth is, if we want change, whether in our careers or businesses, we have to be willing to invest in our own growth. The longer we resist, the longer we stay stuck in the same place. It’s not about just hoping for things to get better; it’s about making conscious decisions to upskill and progress.
Sure, you might eventually reach your goal without upskilling. But is it worth spending years learning through trial and error when you could fast-track your progress in just a few months? Time is money. And one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to treat my time like a resource worth investing wisely.
What about you? Are you okay with spending years to reach a goal you could achieve in months? Or do you think it’s time to take a different approach to your decision-making?
These aren’t just stories. These are real people—our previous trainees. And today, both of them are working as structural engineers, achieving the careers they had always dreamed of.
I’ve come to believe that the situations we find ourselves in are often shaped by the decisions we make. As a business owner, I had to learn that firsthand. I had to upskill in management, in business, and in areas where I knew I was lacking.
The truth is, if we want change, whether in our careers or businesses, we have to be willing to invest in our own growth. The longer we resist, the longer we stay stuck in the same place. It’s not about just hoping for things to get better; it’s about making conscious decisions to upskill and progress.
Sure, you might eventually reach your goal without upskilling. But is it worth spending years learning through trial and error when you could fast-track your progress in just a few months? Time is money. And one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to treat my time like a resource worth investing wisely.
What about you? Are you okay with spending years to reach a goal you could achieve in months? Or do you think it’s time to take a different approach to your decision-making?
Learn More about Our Timber Residential Design Courses
and 3 Months Traineeship Program
