Teresa
Graduate Engineer
Hong Kong
What is your name and role at AECOM?
My name is Teresa, I am a graduate civil engineer in AECOM’s Ports & Marine team in Hong Kong.
How long have you worked for AECOM?
1 year since July 2023.
Describe your role and day-to-day work?
My role focuses on delivering projects in the ports and marine sector. This mainly involves the planning and design of a local typhoon shelter expansion project, catering for territory-wide supply of sheltered space. I often work with clients and specialists of different expertise. Within these projects, I mainly coordinate and liaise with government departments, sub-consultants and stakeholders concerned about issues regarding the design of the project, and prepare meeting materials for relevant stakeholders and take into account of their comments for further development of the designs and project delivery.
Thinking about the projects you are involved in – what impact have you had to improve social outcomes for communities?
I worked closely with stakeholders involved in this project and incorporated their feedbacks in our design with the intention to maximise social inclusion and to fulfil local needs as much as technically feasible. I also prepared public consultation materials to promote the project to general public and the raise the awareness of local biodiversity and sustainability.
How has your work at AECOM contributed towards having a positive impact on the environment?
The typhoon shelter expansion project involves the construction of eco-shoreline as an enhancement measure for preserving local ecology, as well as enhancing the biodiversity locally. The features of the project are expected to attract local and overseas tourists and we took this opportunity to promote local ecology, biodiversity and sustainability with green and innovative designs.
Do you have any interesting experience around collaboration, multi dis work, and thinking and acting globally at AECOM?
Since I am working as part of the project management team, the majority of tasks involve the collaboration with colleagues across different disciplines and business lines in AECOM, such as environmental specialists, marine traffic consultants and landscape architects, where I was able to get a more holistic understanding of the projects I am working on.
Are there any other interesting or unique opportunities you have had through your work at AECOM? Or interesting experiences with clients or building client relationships?
I have the opportunity to go to site visits and laboratory visits together with the project client, in which we showed our understanding of the project and cleared their queries raised in a professional manner, showcasing the ability and passion for the projects, as well as for the engineering industry. I get to know more about our clients’ needs and expectations in a relaxed and informal way, strengthening the bonding with them.
How has AECOM helped you in your career development?
AECOM supports and helps me to develop exponentially as a person and as an engineer. As a graduate, I have been invited to share my work experiences with fellow graduates and colleagues which aid my communication and public speaking skills. I am also supported by my team, where they encouraged open communication and a culture of feedback, allowing regular, and constructive feedback from colleagues and supervisors which helps me identify my personal strengths and weaknesses for improvement. Such culture fosters a supportive environment where I can voice out my ideas and questions without hesitation and gain insights and learn from my colleagues’ work experiences.
What’s your proudest moment at AECOM?
My proudest moment has to be bringing forward the design concepts of the project I am working on to the district council meeting. Seeing the support and recognition of the ideas we developed as a team over the past few months from industry sectors and the general public gives me a sense of accomplishment and I am definitely proud of the work I have completed with the team.