Reflection 2

During my time at Capital Engineering Consultants, I worked alongside engineers, clients, and contractors from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Many site visits, dilapidation reports, and client interactions required me to communicate clearly with people who had different work styles, expectations, and levels of technical understanding. These experiences exposed me to the realities of professional practice within an increasingly global and multicultural engineering environment.

At first, I felt unsure and slightly nervous when communicating with clients or contractors whose communication styles differed from mine. Sometimes I was surprised by how cultural norms influenced professional interactions for example, the level of formality, the directness of conversations, or how problems were discussed. Over time, I began to feel more confident and genuinely enjoyed learning how to adapt my communication to suit different people. It made everyday tasks more meaningful because I could see how intercultural understanding improved teamwork and project outcomes.

These experiences strengthened my belief that engineering is not just technicalit is fundamentally people-centred. I realised that assumptions I made about communication or professionalism were shaped by my own background and were not universal. I also came to believe that being an effective engineer requires openness, patience, and a willingness to understand how cultural differences influence expectations, problem-solving, and collaboration.

A major difficulty I encountered was communicating technical information to clients whose first language was not English. This sometimes caused misunderstandings about site conditions, report requirements, or drawing details. I also struggled at times to interpret different communication styles some clients were very direct, while others avoided expressing disagreement openly. These challenges made me aware of the importance of cultural awareness, active listening, and clear technical explanations in professional settings.

Working in a multicultural environment helped me see the global nature of engineering practice. According to the International Engineering Alliance (IEA, 2013), global professional competence includes understanding diverse cultures, adapting communication styles, and working effectively in international contexts. Observing senior engineers demonstrated how cultural awareness shaped decision-making, client relationships, and teamwork on site. This broader perspective helped me understand that intercultural competence is not optional it is an essential part of modern engineering, especially in cities like Sydney where projects involve a culturally diverse workforce and client base.

I learned that effective professional practice relies heavily on intercultural communication, flexibility, and empathy. My time at Capital Engineering Consultants helped me become more aware of how cultural differences shape expectations and interactions in engineering projects. Moving forward, I intend to further develop my intercultural awareness by observing different communication styles, asking questions when uncertain, and continuously improving how I explain technical concepts to diverse audiences. These lessons will help me become a more capable, respectful, and globally minded engineer who can contribute effectively in multicultural and international contexts.