Engineering in any field is associated with the optimisation in the use of the available resources for the mutual benefit of humans as well as the environment (Wickens et al., 2015). The aim of this study lies in the identification of the competencies that I have as required by the Engineer Australia body. The scope of this studies however; lies in the identification of the water challenges faced the people of Chennai India due to multiple reasons.

As a structural engineer, I have a variety of experience in the field. As a result, I think that my competencies could be segmented in about three segments in the immediate segment. Additionally, as per the requirements of the modern business, my competencies of soft skills, technical skills and usability skills would also be analysed in this study.

Chapter-1: Identification of competencies and analysis

Knowledge and skill base

In the current segment, I have the following competencies:

1.1 Conceptual understanding

I have essentially a high degree of understanding of the mathematical concepts associated with structural engineering. This includes the concepts of use of truss and the multiple types of failures associated with structural engineering. For example, I have a clear understanding of the concepts of the resolution of forces present in a truss system. This additionally includes the concept of the torsion and others (Megson, 2019). Similarly mathematical and statistic analysis includes the critical analysis of the relationship between stress and torque in a truss based system.

1.2 In-Depth Understanding

Based on the above-mentioned concept, I essentially have an in-depth analysis of the Lami’s theorem as well as the stress distribution curve based on the concepts of Moment of Inertia associated with multiple structural systems. Relative to my previous projects, I have extensively used the concept of Lami’s theorem to identify the potential angle required in between the arms of the structure. As a result, I have been able to identify the optimum Factor of Safety associated with a particular project. In the long end, this has complemented the incorporation of the concepts of thermodynamics for the structures that were characterised by high rises. This is because, at certain heights, the environmental conditions around the surroundings create wind currents as well as large quantum of heat.

Technical factors associated with the competencies

The source of these competencies has been from my childhood itself. During my childhood as well as my high school years, I was fascinated with the potential results that a single equation has on a multitude of aspects. For example, during my elementary and my middle school years, I was extremely fascinated with the intricate implication that a simple Bernoulli theorem has on the quantum of the water being wasted from a tap. Later on, I could relate the complex finding of the laminar flow with the Bernoulli theorem and the impact of a structure on the pressure provided by the same.

Additionally, I have essentially incorporated the concepts of deflection, load variation and others for generating such a competency in structural engineering. This is because of the strong mathematical background of mine in my schooling years.

Group Factor associated with the competencies

Relative to the experiences that I have as an engineer, I had to work with multiple groups and as a result, my communication skill drastically improved. This has enabled me to accept the constructive opinion of my colleagues and incorporate the same in the designing and the interpretation of the same in the long end.

Additionally, I have essentially learnt the need to carry out practical work, as there is a drastic difference in the theatrical approach to structural engineering and execution of the theories. It has helped my mentioned competencies through two mechanisms. First, it has enabled me to identify the areas in which practical application is required. Second, I have been benefitted by the identification of the additional challenges associated with structural engineering due to the dynamicity of the environment as well the changing pattern of the bedrock on ground zero.

Chapter 2: Professional and technical competencies

Engineering application ability

Currently, I am having the below mentioned competencies:

2.1: Application of engineering methods

In this segment, through my previous experience in the segment of structural engineering, I have a fair experience of the application of the multiple engineering methods available. This includes the aspect of development of the project plan, the cost benefit analysis of the structure and the potential risks associated with the development of it (Shafiee et al., 2018).

2.2: Application of engineering tools

This includes the extensive use of the available tools for the development of the structure (Modarres, 2016). I extensively use tools like Auto-CADD, CATIA, IoT, and Hadoop in the execution of the work. However, the use of IoT and Hadoop is essentially used for the conduction of the analysis of the data associated with the structure. This includes the development of the identification of the heat affected zones and the potential area of crack development in a structure. The analytical software is additional used for the identification of the potential area of crack progression and the line of path based on regression analysis and identification of multiple ratios in an optimised manner.

Technical factors associated with the competencies

In the segment of planning, I have been trained with MS Project as a mechanism for the development of the project plan in a distinct manner. Additionally, apart from MS Project, my team has also worked in Zoho Project Review that has complemented the overall management of the project.

Additionally, through the course of time, I have essentially understood that the variable of price and availability of the products that are required in a project. As a result, I have developed the mentioned competencies with the SSR method of financial analysis as well as use of MS Excel and IBM SPSS for the conduction of small case analysis of the collected data.

Group Factor associated with the competencies

Since, I worked with multiple teams and individuals with multiple competencies in my past projects; I have essentially learnt the need of communicating the basic requirement for a particular project. For example, group factors like the identification of strategies that includes the potential tenure of complementation and personal targets.

Additionally, as my peers and managers has been highly supportive in nature, I think that the reason for the development of the mentioned competency includes the potential arrange of alternative sources of materials and workforce. This additionally includes the concept of the mitigation of the risk associated with the project in the segment of the porter five forces and other internal factors (Tench et al., 2015).

Chapter 3: Personal competencies

Currently, I have the following competencies as per a personalised and critical reflection:

3.1: Team leadership and membership competencies

This includes the conduction of the ethical and the effective communication among the team members as well as the team membership (Maduka et al., 2018). I have developed and incorporated multiple ethical considerations for the execution of a project associated with structural engineering. This additionally includes the effective sharing of information in technical terms and quantitative terms for the development of the project as well as the development of personal attributes.

3.2: Personal communication competencies

This includes the optimisation in the aspect of information management as well as development of the personal and professional relationship with the peers (Engineersaustralia.org.au. 2019). My competency in this segment includes the development of positive relationship with my peers and well as my clients in the long end.

Technical factors associated with the competencies

During the course of my professional experience, I have essentially included multiple communication channels as well as inspection mechanism for the structures that I have worked on. This includes the mitigation of the risk as well as creation of brainstorming session to include the modern marvels in structural engineering. For example, I have essentially included the use of water absorbing concrete and development of innovation design of a structure to include multiple renewable mechanisms.

Leadership competencies are additionally characterised by the testing of the soil though multiple mechanism and leading the collection of data from the primary sources as well as the secondary sources. Additionally, I have ensured the development of the structures based on recommendations of the internal management as well as the multiple legal agencies involved in standardisation of structures. This includes adhering to requirement of bearings, preference of types of bearings, FOS and others

Group Factor associated with the competencies

In this segment, me as well as my team associated with the project identified areas in which each one of us would explain to the professor about the project undertaken. As a result, this has enabled me to use this experience in the identification and the development of the mentioned competencies. Similarly, based on a group approach to the conduction of a project associated with structural engineering, I had used presentation slides in multiple cases. This has enabled me present an effective module of information to my supervisor as well as client. Over the course of time, this has enabled the development of the innovation mechanism that I essentially use for information sharing.

Overall, I think that the mentioned competencies are a product of my academic integrity as well as the professional experience that I have gathered over the tenure.

Chapter 4: Qualities associated with USQ graduate

As a potential USQ graduate, I have the following qualities:

Discipline Expertise

I have been developing my domain knowledge over the years in the academic and the professional aspect in a recurring manner. For example, I have essentially been striving for attainment of perfection and enrichment of theoretical coupled with writing knowledge. In the long end, this quality would enable me to conduct an effective SWOT analysis of myself that would aid in the completion of the target so provide.

Global citizenship

Global citizenship includes the use of the global standards in the conduction of engineering practices as well as the incorporating and learning multiple languages in the communication segment as well as the coding segment (Policy.usq.edu.au, 2019). In the long end, this would enable the development of the diversity in my workplace as well as within my professional and academic environment.

Professional practice

Based on self-analysis, I have deduced that my current performance would be not effective in the professional and corporate world. However, the USQ would provide me to enrich the mentioned competencies through practical trainings.

Lifelong learning

During the development of the reflective analysis, I had mentioned that I was a good in mathematics throughout my career in the long end. This would complement me to develop multiple actions and self-development plans in my career. As a result, I would continue to learn in a positive manner in the long end.

Scholarship

Securing a scholarship is one of the toughest tasks that an individual has to execute. This would be because, for attaining a scholarship, one would have to sell the high quality knowledge as well as the urge to work in the future in a positive manner. USQ essentially provides a great deal of scholarship to international students and is one of the motivating factors that I have for the development in my careers.

Chapter 5: EA generic attribute associated with a graduate

The roles played by an engineer are dynamic in nature. In the modern world, an engineer is tasked with designing, execution of job, optimising finance, developing supply chain others.

As a result, the following are the generic attributes associated with an engineering graduate:

Team working and application of common sense
Communication and basic computer literarily skills
Innovative thinking and use of it in the development of present technologies and process (Engineersaustralia.org.au, 2019)
Critical application of knowledge and possessing of business acumen
Problem solving, identification and risk mitigation qualities
High degree of ethical application in the conduction of projects with a development of lifelong learning trait

From the mentioned attributes, I have essentially almost all the skills with the exception of innovative thinking and application to develop new technologies. This is because of my current limitation in technical education.

Chapter 6: Analysis of the soft and hard skill preferred by the industry

In order to find the right job and achieve success in different fields, individuals are required to have appropriate skill set. The industry requirements include both hard skills and soft skills that can assist the industry to reach their milestones (Carvalho and Rabechini Junior, 2015). In modern business world, soft, and hard skill set of engineers are required for accomplishing sustainable competitive advantage and continuing operations in long run. Hard and soft skills allow handling various industrial issues effectively and making an appropriate solution of those issues. In context of structural engineer, hard skills refer to technical skills as well as knowledge that an engineer must have in terms of completing any task related to his own industry. In depth theoretical knowledge and practical experience allows engineers to complete task and meet expectations of the industry. In every industry, there must be a range of issues related to different operational sectors such as resource management, supply chain, availability of resources and others. All these issues can be fixed through making use of appropriate hard skills and in depth knowledge of an engineer. Engineer’s hard skill is to make machine or structure of system through which, industry can accelerate its productivity, profitability and sustainability altogether (Turner, 2014). From my personal experience, I can state that there are multiple skills, tools and technical languages that I learn from my engineering study have helped me a lot in meeting company’s requirements and solve industry issues in effective manner. However, importance of these skills, for the first time I realised during job recruitment. I am confident, and motivated as well as I have effective communication skill and innovation excellence. All these are my soft skills that have helped me to build and maintain appropriate relation with my colleagues and clients.

Reflection over hard skills relying upon industry experience

I have been working as a structural engineer since last two years; one year at Shreeramajayam Construction Ltd and then next one year at Boltz Engineering private ltd. In course of working in these engineering companies, I have extended my knowledge and experience boundaries in different sectors such as drafting, structures, cost estimation for projects and geo-technical investigation. All these operations are vital in industry and it has helped me to improve my professional performance and efficiency standard simultaneously. Proper understanding of survey process is important for a structural engineer so that I learnt many things regarding the GIS tool that assisted me to complete survey. Apart from this, I have learnt new techniques that are efficient soil inspection techniques to find out bearing efficiency and compressive strength. For greater accomplishment of professional targets, I also have learnt CAD and E-tabs modelling that helped me to get my first job. In my second office, namely Boltz Engineering private ltd, I was designated at structural engineering post and I had the responsibility of making detail design, cost estimation for any project and filed visits.

In recent days, developing countries like India have been suffering from water crisis or water shortage. Chennai, India is regarded as one of the most affected cities that are facing critical water shortage issues. In order to solve this emerging water crisis issue, many of the engineers and foundations have already providing their numerous efforts. I got my first job as a Structural engineer at Shreeramajayam Construction Ltd, where I improved my knowledge on foundation building design. One of my roles in that organization is to make an effective structure or machinery system to avoid water misuse. People of modern era are misusing water resources and this is hampering the water level in different regions. Chennai, India is one of the most affected areas, where water crisis is common. In my second job, I was recruited for making engineering solutions and building effective structure and design according to the water resource demands and crisis in that particular location. Next, I learnt modelling an effective structure in E-tabs. After the confirmation of drawings, I was responsible for modelling them in E-tabs software and also checking the manual calculations and then determining whether the structure is safe to be used or not. I estimated the cost of entire project including machinery requirements, workforce capability resources.

I was responsible for checking the quality of machineries and ensuring that it would be helpful n fixing the critical issue. Apart from this, I improved my skills in multiple departments such as analysis, computer usage, data collection and design making, construction, spreadsheet making and writing. During this time, I successfully learnt the significance of software techniques for implying them and managing operations towards the target in more efficient manner.

Soft skills are different and referred to interpersonal characteristics, mindset, communication capability, personal individuality, and social interactions capabilities. In every industry, employee unit must have soft skills as well to maintain positive relation with all the individuals those are directly or indirectly associated with the project (Matteson et al., 2017). These skills do not provide opportunity of making money, instead of that it smoothen the way of earning more money in respective industry. Personal development is an important consideration in context of developing soft skills and improving career in specific industry.

As per the consideration of Gibb (2014), soft skills are the capability, which can be turned into job opportunities general employability as follows:

Basic skill: includes technical expertise and knowledge over multiple tasks
Conceptual skills: includes planning, collecting data and information and issue fixing
Community Skills: Knowledge of citizens
Business skills; innovation, enterprising skill
People management skill: team work skill, effective commucnaition skill
Personal skill: confident, motivated

Reflection over soft skills through industrial experience

In order to draft my soft skills personally, my bachelor studies directly or indirectly assisted me largely. Through using my soft skills across the organizational premises, I have acquired a good rapport with my team members and made positive relation with clients as well.

Experience in industrial field	Required skills and knowledge
Making appropriate design using given specifications	Analytical skill, problem identifying and problem fixing capability, ethical skills, industrial skills
Modification of system design procedures	Ethical skills, issue-fixing skill, team work skill, integrity
Taking active participation in evaluation and analysis of design functionality in terms of ensuring successful integration	Communication skill, personal skills, teamwork skill
Planning a project with all possible remedies	Presentation capability, writing skill, positive attitude towards team and project

All these skills have helped me a lot and it would help me in upcoming future as well.

Chapter 7: Analysis of the water shortage and its estimates

In modern world, rising population growth has become a world problem and a threat to our own existence as well. Researchers have mentioned many of the reasons for this increasing world population. However, mostly advancements in medical as well as enhance in productivity in agriculture are influencing to increase the world population.

Figure 1: World population prospects

(Source: Gerland et al., 2014)

From the above represented stat, it is clear that since few decades, world population degree has been spontaneously increasing. Due to increased population, water issues in global premises have become a common problem. Asian countries are suffering most of the water crisis issues and therefore, adopting the proper engineering tactics has become extremely important. Uncontrollable population growth in global premises has made economic, social and political issues more tough to fix. Water crisis issue is the reflection of this increasing population.

Project estimates:

Impact of water crisis issues across the developing nation India

Introduction

India is one of the most emerging developing nations around the globe with 2.6 lakh crores USD Gross domestic product, as per the recorded data of 2017 (Dawn et al., 2016). Chennai is one of the most popular states of India that has recently faced water crisis issues. Throughout Chennai Premises, there were not a single drop of rain and it caused typical water shortage issues. Local people faced multiple issues in terms of meeting their daily water requirements. A situation came, when water crisis was observed in hospitals and nursing homes. In order to fight against this critical situation, hospitals receive help of more than 5000 privately owned tankers, which ferry water across the town daily. In order to make an effective solution of this critical situation, positive support and assistance from engineering team is strictly necessary.

Alternative solutions for meeting water needs during the crisis are as follows:

Awareness program requires to be arranged to make people aware of the fact and different negative sides that can be occurred due to high misuse of water resources
In order to reduce or eradicate water shortage related issues, it is important to start recycling water
Inventing new water conservation technologies through using modern engineering approaches and techniques is another alternative way to fix water crisis issues
Appropriately price water is another important consideration in context of solving water crisis issue
Developing energy efficient desalination plants can enhance the underground water resource level that can be used during water crisis.
Improving agricultural practices is also important for greater environment

Main problems associated with increasing population are as follows:

Water crisis
Crisis of pure and fresh air
Effect on food and shelter
Affect on land
Social issues

Engineering solution

In order to solve this issues and emerging water crisis issue, engineers have multiple provided solutions that are as follows:

Safeguarding water resources
Ensuring safe drinking water and fresh air
Alternative energy and efficient energy use

Through using these solutions, engineers like me would be able to safeguard the globe and reduce water crisis issues as well.

Chapter 8: Effectiveness of team in data sharing and conduction of research

Few skills are necessary for accomplishing success and performing well within a team. Skills are as follows:

High and efficient communication skill is required to express own views and opinions. I have to communicate with all my team members to perform well in team.
Interpersonal skills are another important consideration. I have to show presence of good sense of humour and patience in every step.
Ethical skills are also important. I should be hard working, loyal, dedicating, highly self-motivated and disciplined.

In order to develop my engineering skills, I would like to use forum posting. Here, in forum posting, our team had a common topic for discussing new engineering solutions for solving issues. Every team member, including have been trying their level best to reach out most efficient and satisfying solution of critical issues. Water resource issue that is occurred throughout the Chennai, India can also be fixed through using appropriate engineering solution. Some of the key points that I notice in course of working on this study are as follows:

I have to know and everyone and I have to communicate with them properly
I have to analyse the issue first to fix it
I should share information with others to make the most satisfying and authentic solution of the project
I would track records of all data to reach appropriate solution
I have to put all our efforts and knowledge to fix the issue permanently

During this project, I have gathered multiple lessons and extended my knowledge boundaries I spent beautiful time with my colleagues and team members. We shared information and discussed over the same topic to reach out to positive solution.

Conclusion

Engineers make machineries, structures and design to accelerate business capabilities and make positive solution of different kinds of problems. From the above description, it is clear that engineers provide design and layout of appropriate solution, which is followed by the entire organizational unit in order to fix any issue. In this study, a detail description of water crisis area, named Chennai, India has been provided to better recognise the overall topic. A reflective potion has been provided including study details, courses, and both hard and soft skills that are required to continue working in professional engineering filed and to provide authentic solution to critical problem.

References

Carvalho, M.M.D. and Rabechini Junior, R., 2015. Impact of risk management on project performance: the importance of soft skills. International Journal of Production Research, 53(2), pp.321-340.

Dawn, S., Tiwari, P.K., Goswami, A.K. and Mishra, M.K., 2016. Recent developments of solar energy in India: perspectives, strategies and future goals. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 62, pp.215-235.’

Engineersaustralia.org.au. 2019. [online] Available at: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2017-03/Stage%201%20Competency%20Standards.pdf [Accessed 12 Aug. 2019].

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Gibb, S., 2014. Soft skills assessment: Theory development and the research agenda. International journal of lifelong education, 33(4), pp.455-471.

Maduka, N.S., Edwards, H., Greenwood, D., Osborne, A. and Babatunde, S.O., 2018. Analysis of competencies for effective virtual team leadership in building successful organisations. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 25(2), pp.696-712.

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Shafiee, S., Felfernig, A., Hvam, L., Piroozfar, P. and Forza, C., 2018. Cost Benefit Analysis in Product Configuration Systems. In Configuration Workshop 2018 (ConfWS 2018). CEUR-WS.

Tench, R. and Moreno, A., 2015. Mapping communication management competencies for European practitioners: ECOPSI an EU study. Journal of Communication Management, 19(1), pp.39-61.

Turner, R., 2014. Programming languages as technical artifacts. Philosophy & technology, 27(3), pp.377-397.

Wickens, C.D., Hollands, J.G., Banbury, S. and Parasuraman, R., 2015. Engineering psychology and human performance. Psychology Press.

ENGINEERING FOR THE WHOLE WORLD AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: A REFLECTION

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Introduction

Chapter-1: Identification of competencies and analysis

1.1 Conceptual understanding

1.2 In-Depth Understanding

Chapter 2: Professional and technical competencies

2.1: Application of engineering methods

2.2: Application of engineering tools

Chapter 3: Personal competencies

3.1: Team leadership and membership competencies

3.2: Personal communication competencies

Chapter 4: Qualities associated with USQ graduate

Chapter 5: EA generic attribute associated with a graduate

Chapter 6: Analysis of the soft and hard skill preferred by the industry

Chapter 7: Analysis of the water shortage and its estimates

Chapter 8: Effectiveness of team in data sharing and conduction of research

Conclusion

References

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