Industry skills that lead to success

Civil engineer Kiran Sapkota shares how Victoria University (VU) helped him develop essential skills in problem-solving, research and sustainability, opening doors to his career.

“I’m from Nepal and I studied the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil Engineering) and Master of Research (Engineering) at VU.

“My bachelor degree was top quality. The teachers were really approachable and supportive. They got to know every student well and were always available to answer our questions. It was great to meet students from all over the world.

“The degree involved a lot of industry connections and experiences. We had to design products based on real-life situations and we even got opportunities to present to industry professionals.

“We also had regular guest lectures and visits from industry professionals, which was a great way to understand how the engineering industry works and how to prepare for our future careers.”

A smarter way to study

“VU has highly supportive staff not only on the course but also to help you develop employability skills. The VU Employ team helped me build my resume and cover letter and I always felt like I was listened to and supported.

“During my degree, VU transitioned to the VU Block Model® teaching method, which really worked for me. I could focus on one unit at a time and I was learning each subject faster. By learning new concepts in a short period of time, it helped me become a faster and better learner.”

Advancing sustainability through research

“When I saw the opportunity to contribute to sustainability though research, I decided to enrol in the Master of Research at VU, which was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

“The course structure is designed to help students become independent researchers. I learned how to identify problems, propose solutions and implement them in my field, which is pavement and geotechnical engineering.

“I was really lucky to have amazing supervisors during my masters. I gained so much valuable experience thanks to their support and encouragement. They helped me overcome my weaknesses and provided me with opportunities to develop my skills. For example, I had the chance to work as a research assistant in a sustainable pavement project.”

Designing an engineering career

“I now work as a graduate engineer at the Department of Transport and Planning. As part of the graduate program, I rotate around different teams, where I’m learning all aspects of project management and road infrastructure projects.

“Studying at VU has been very special for me. The skills I learned through my studies at VU have helped me excel in my current role and achieve my goals.”

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