Tahmim from Bangladesh completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil (Structures) Engineering in 2020 and currently works as a Traffic Engineer and Transport Planner at Bitzios Consulting.
Meet Tahmim
Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tahmim Islam began his UTS journey at UTS College to pursue a Diploma of Engineering (Standard). By studying a UTS College diploma, students are guaranteed entry into their corresponding UTS undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Most diplomas take students directly into the second year of their UTS degree. This year long program is an excellent way for international students to settle into life in Sydney and practice their English skills before entering the fast-paced world of university life
Once at UTS, Tahmim enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with a major in Civil (Structures) Engineering. His degree included a three-month internship at Optik Consultancy, and a capstone Engineering thesis project.
UTS has a versatile approach of delivering Civil Engineering coursework. They not only delivered traditional academic learning but also integrated lessons into real-life industry problems. Regular tutorials at UTS College are super interactive and well-equipped in terms of materials and technology. This helped me get a preview of what to expect in my core subjects in the coming years.
Tahmim received a $3,000 scholarship to pursue the elective course 41017 Global Mobility A that included a project in Fiji as part of the UTS Global Short Programs and Engineers Without Borders study tours. During his time in Fiji, Tahmim undertook a range of meaningful projects, including working on social enterprise and sustainable development initiatives related to "Waste Recycling" alongside the local community. He also had the opportunity to witness the impact of climate change and gained valuable insights into creating sustainable solutions. In addition, Tahmim was able to expand his knowledge and understanding of engineering, waste management, and recycling practices within the local culture."
Learning how to apply theory to real-world industry scenarios would prove invaluable to Tahmim securing his first job after graduation.
“Tackling practical projects helped me to critically think, understand problems, and create roadmaps to solving them. These skills along with resume review sessions at the UTS CareerHub and showcasing my transferrable skills in interviews enabled me to kick off my career as a Junior Estimator for Planet Civil.”
During his internship at UTS Optik Engineering Consultancy, Tahmim worked at one of the best equipped and advanced research and development facilities in Sydney, UTS Tech Lab. He received guidance from mentors while also having the chance to consult with civil engineers at established companies for assistance with his projects. Tahmim credits his internship experience with teaching him fundamentals and professional skills to succeed in his current role at Bitzios Consulting in Sydney.
“My internship at Optik helped me with the application of engineering standards. They also hosted soft-skill sessions to help our professional development. I believe I landed my current Traffic Engineer and Transport Planner role due to the similar engineering standards and guidelines in my internship.”
When offering advice to international students, Tahmim says, “To start a career, it is crucial to become as work-ready as possible. Gain insight about the different branches of your career path, while discovering your strengths and which branch suits you. Attending networking events and getting a mentor in your career path can be helpful to find what’s right for you. One of the best ways to kickstart your career is finding an internship. This not only helps you gain relevant hands-on experience but also educates you about workplace culture which is as crucial to be a ‘proper fit’ in the industry.”