Reflection 2

Reflection 2- Professional Practice within intercultural and global contexts.

During my time at Capital Engineering Consultants, I worked alongside engineers, clients, and contractors from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Much of my work involved attending site visits, assisting with dilapidation reports, and supporting communication between engineers and clients. These interactions exposed me to the reality that engineering practice is not only technical, but also highly dependent on effective communication in a multicultural environment.

At the beginning of my placement, I felt unsure when interacting with people whose communication styles differed from my own. During site visits, I noticed that some clients preferred very direct conversations, while others were more reserved and less likely to openly raise concerns. In a few situations, I found it difficult to tell whether someone fully understood what was being explained or whether they were hesitant to ask questions. This made me slightly anxious, as I did not want misunderstandings to affect the accuracy of reports or site outcomes.

Over time, these experiences became more comfortable. I began to pay closer attention to how people communicated rather than focusing only on what they said. I learned to slow down my explanations, avoid unnecessary technical language, and check for understanding by asking follow-up questions. Simple adjustments, such as rephrasing a sentence or using visual references on site, often made a noticeable difference . As my confidence grew, I started to enjoy these interactions and felt more engaged in my role, knowing that clear communication was contributing to smoother project outcomes.

These experiences challenged my previous assumptions about engineering work. Before this placement, I viewed engineering mainly as a technical discipline focused on calculations, drawings, and compliance. While those elements are essential, I came to realise that engineering is fundamentally people centred. Every decision involves communication between individuals with different backgrounds, expectations, and levels of understanding (Rivera,2023). I also recognised that many of my own assumptions about professionalism and communication were shaped by my personal experiences and were not necessarily shared by others.

One of the most difficult aspects of working in this environment was communicating technical information to clients whose first language was not English. On several occasions, minor misunderstandings arose regarding site conditions or report requirements simply because certain terms were unfamiliar or unclear. I also found it challenging to interpret indirect communication styles, particularly when clients were reluctant to openly disagree or express concerns. These situations taught me the importance of patience and active listening, as well as the need to create space for questions rather than assuming understanding.

Observing senior engineers was particularly valuable in this regard. They demonstrated how effective communication and cultural awareness can build trust and prevent issues from escalating. Rather than rushing conversations, they took the time to explain decisions clearly and respond calmly to concerns. Watching how they adapted their communication style depending on who they were speaking with helped me understand that technical expertise alone is not enough to succeed in professional practice.

Working in such a diverse environment also highlighted the broader, global nature of engineering. In cities like Sydney, engineering projects often involve people from many cultural backgrounds, even when the work itself is local. This made me realise that intercultural competence is not an additional skill, but a core part of professional practice. Engineers must be able to communicate effectively across cultural and linguistic boundaries to ensure safety, accuracy, and positive working relationships.

Looking back, this experience helped me develop a greater sense of awareness and adaptability. I became more conscious of how my communication affected others and learned to adjust my approach based on the situation. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the role engineers play as communicators and problem-solvers, not just technical specialists.

Moving forward, I plan to continue developing my intercultural communication skills by observing how different people interact in professional settings and reflecting on my own responses. I will also focus on improving how I explain technical concepts in simple and clear terms, particularly when working with non-technical audiences. These experiences have helped shape my understanding of professional practice and reinforced my goal of becoming a respectful, adaptable, and globally minded engineer who can work effectively in diverse environments.

References

Rivera, S. (2023, January 12), 8 Communication Techniques Engineering Leaders Need to Succeed, Harvard Business School Online, 8 Communication Techniques Engineering Leaders Need to Succeed