A'ita Jaffer Joel
I always find it fascinating when I sit down with fresh graduates in Civil Engineering. The conversation often goes something like this:
“I’m interested in roads.”
“I want to work in water.”
“Structures are my passion.”
And my next question is always: “So why did you choose Civil Engineering in the first place?”
Don’t get me wrong—focus is important. But in a small economy like ours, where opportunities are already limited, narrowing your scope too soon can mean closing doors you haven’t even seen yet. Civil Engineering is vast, and boxing yourself into one corner at the start of your career can reduce your chances before you’ve even begun.
My Own Journey
When I graduated from university, I made a deliberate decision: I would learn everything I could, across the board.
I started in roads, then moved into water and sanitation, then into structures. Over time, I mastered structural designs, water treatment plant designs, sewage lagoon designs, and pipeline designs. I became comfortable moving from one discipline to another, learning not just the theory, but the practical skills each field demanded.
The Results of Staying Versatile
Fast-forward 20 years, and I can confidently say it was the best professional decision I ever made.
I have worked across multiple disciplines of engineering. Not once in 20 years have I been jobless.
I’ve been part of over 200 projects, both small and massive in scale. When a road project comes—whether design or construction supervision—I work like a roads specialist. When a large water project lands, I take it on like a water expert. I’ve delivered irrigation projects, supervised bridges, contributed to hydropower designs—you name it. That flexibility has kept my career not only stable but exciting. It has also made me an asset to clients and employers who value professionals that can adapt to any engineering challenge.
My Advice to Young Engineers
In the early years of your career, don’t rush into a narrow specialization. Instead: Expose yourself to all areas of the profession—roads, water, structures, geotechnics, environmental engineering, and more. Learn by doing—seek diverse projects, even if they push you out of your comfort zone.
Build a wide skill base—so that no matter the project, you can confidently say, “I can do that.” There will be plenty of time to specialize later, once you’ve built a solid foundation. But in the beginning, aim to be versatile. In a world where change is constant, versatility is not just an advantage—it’s survival.
So, I ask again:
Young Civil Engineer—why are you specializing so early?
Joel Aita
Chairman, Joadah Consult
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