Volunteering at the The Annual Sunflower Festival in Kalbar in the beautiful Scenic Rim region, was an incredibly humbling experience for me. As an engineering student, I was fortunate enough to learn several valuable lessons that will undoubtedly help me in my future engineering career.

Firstly, the importance of teamwork was evident throughout the day. The festival required a collective effort from all volunteers, including selling sunflowers, managing tool inventory, and handling customer inquiries. It was inspiring to see how every member of the team worked towards a common goal of raising funds for cancer research. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and how different individuals can come together to achieve a shared objective. As an engineer, I realize that most projects require teamwork, and this lesson will help me work better in teams in my future career.

Secondly, planning and risk management were crucial to the success of the festival. The team had to plan for various scenarios, such as changes in weather, influx of customers, and unexpected incidents. Through proper planning, we were able to mitigate risks and respond effectively to unforeseen circumstances. As an engineer, I believe that proper planning and risk management are essential in any project. This experience has taught me the importance of contingency planning and the value of being prepared for any scenario.

Thirdly, the importance of community feedback was evident during the festival. Volunteers and customers alike provided feedback on various aspects of the festival, such as the layout, pricing, and customer service. The organizers used this feedback to improve the festival experience for everyone involved. As an engineer, I understand that feedback from stakeholders is vital in ensuring project success. This experience taught me the importance of gathering and analyzing feedback to improve project outcomes and customer satisfaction.

Lastly, the resilience displayed by the team in adverse weather conditions was inspiring. Despite heavy rainfall, the team continued to work tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research. This experience taught me the importance of staying focused and committed to achieving project objectives, even in the face of challenges. As an engineer, I realize that projects may face several challenges and obstacles, and it is crucial to remain resilient and determined to overcome them.

The importance of teamwork, planning, risk management, community feedback, and resilience were evident throughout the festival, and I will undoubtedly apply these lessons in my future engineering projects. I am grateful for this experience and look forward to contributing my learning to future projects. This experience was nothing short of an engineering project, although with a softer aim.

Undertaking the project on designing a portal frame for flexure, shear, and deflection has been an enriching experience for me as a civil engineering student. This project enabled me to apply the theoretical knowledge I acquired during my coursework to a real-life problem. Here are some of the lessons that I learned through this experience that will benefit me in my engineering career:

1. Use of Advanced Software: The project involved the use of Strand7 software, which is a powerful structural analysis tool. By using this software, I learned how to create 3D models, apply loads, and analyze the structures for strength and stability. This software also helped me to better understand the behavior of structures under different loading conditions.
2. Importance of Standards: As per the project requirements, I had to design the portal frame as per AS4100-1998 standards. Through this project, I learned the importance of adhering to standards and codes. These standards ensure that the structures are designed and built with the required strength, durability, and safety measures.
3. Time Management: The project had a tight deadline, and I had to ensure that all tasks were completed within the given timeline. Through this experience, I learned how to manage my time efficiently, set priorities, and complete tasks on time. This skill will be useful to me in my future engineering projects where time management is critical.
4. Effective Communication: The project involved regular meetings with my supervisor and teammates. During these meetings, I had to present my design proposals and discuss the progress of the project. This experience has taught me the importance of effective communication and how to convey technical information in a clear and concise manner.
5. Teamwork: As part of the project, I worked in a team with other students. Through this experience, I learned the importance of teamwork in engineering projects. Working in a team allowed us to share ideas, collaborate, and complete tasks efficiently. This experience taught me how to work effectively with others, resolve conflicts, and build trust within a team.
6. Attention to Detail: The design of a portal frame involves multiple factors, and it is important to consider every detail to ensure the structure's strength and stability. Through this project, I learned the importance of paying attention to details, including dimensions, material properties, and loads. This experience has taught me to be meticulous in my approach to engineering design and to consider all aspects of a structure's behavior.

This university assignment on designing a portal frame for flexure, shear, and deflection has taught me valuable lessons that will help me in my future engineering career. I gained hands-on experience in structural analysis software, learned the importance of standards, time management, effective communication, teamwork, and attention to detail. These skills and knowledge will be beneficial to me in my future engineering projects and career.

As an project management enthusiast, volunteering for the Gold Coast Marathon 2022 was an exciting opportunity for me to learn and grow as a professional as this event was a project on its own. Throughout the marathon, I gained valuable insights into various aspects of project management, team building, and cultural sensitivity, which I believe will benefit me in my engineering career. Here are the top five lessons I learned from this experience:

1. Planning and Organization:
   The Gold Coast Marathon 2022 was a massive event that required meticulous planning and organization. As a volunteer, I was responsible for hosting and registering the marathon runners. I quickly learned the importance of efficient planning and organization to ensure that the process runs smoothly. This experience taught me the value of attention to detail, effective communication, and proactive problem-solving, all of which are vital skills for a successful engineer.
2. Swift Decision Making:
   During the marathon, there were times when quick decisions had to be made to ensure that the event ran smoothly. As a volunteer, I had to think on my feet, assess the situation, and make swift decisions. This experience taught me the importance of being adaptable, flexible, and having a solution-oriented mindset. As an engineer, I understand that projects can face unexpected challenges, and the ability to make swift decisions is crucial for project success.
3. Team Work:
   The Gold Coast Marathon 2022 was a collaborative effort that involved volunteers, runners, and organizers from all over the world. As a volunteer, I had to work closely with other team members to ensure that the event ran smoothly. This experience taught me the importance of effective team building, collaboration, and communication, all of which are essential for a successful engineering project.
4. Professionalism:
   This was an event that required volunteers to maintain a high level of professionalism at all times. As a volunteer, I had to be punctual, presentable, and polite to all participants. This experience taught me the importance of professionalism in the workplace, including respect, accountability, and maintaining a positive attitude. These skills are essential for any engineer to build a successful career.
5. Cultural Sensitivity:
   The Marathon attracted participants from all over the world, each with their unique cultural backgrounds and perspectives. As a volunteer, I had to be sensitive to cultural differences and show respect to all participants. This experience taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity in the workplace, including open-mindedness, empathy, and active listening. As an engineer, I believe that cultural sensitivity is vital for building diverse and inclusive project teams.

I am certain that the lessons I learned during this event, including planning and organization, swift decision-making, teamwork, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity, will benefit me in my future engineering career. I am grateful for this experience and look forward to applying my learnings to future projects.

I have had a great experience interning During my internship at JKERA, I had the opportunity to work on a large-scale infrastructure construction project, which helped me to gain a wealth of practical knowledge and experience. From managing stakeholder communication to performing complex soil tests, I learned valuable lessons that I believe will be of great benefit to my engineering career. Below are some key takeaways from my internship:

1. Collaboration is essential for project success One of the most important lessons I learned during my internship was the importance of effective collaboration. Working on a large-scale construction project like the expressway-corridor required close collaboration with a team of engineers, construction workers, and other stakeholders. I learned the importance of clear communication and coordination in ensuring that everyone was on the same page and working towards a common goal.
2. Attention to detail is critical During my time at JKERA, I learned the importance of paying attention to even the smallest details. In construction, even minor mistakes can have serious consequences. For instance, failure to properly install the pile-cap or pre-fabricated form-works at the ramp site could lead to structural failure, compromising the safety of the structure. I learned to always be diligent and meticulous in my work, as the details matter.
3. Stakeholder management is crucial As an engineer, it's important to recognize that project success is not just about technical expertise. It's equally important to be able to manage stakeholders effectively. During my internship, I was responsible for regular meetings and presentations to demonstrate proposals and project delivery. I learned to be confident and assertive when communicating with stakeholders, and to be able to manage their expectations effectively.
4. Innovation is key to staying ahead Construction technology and processes are constantly evolving, and it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations to stay ahead of the curve. During my internship, I was exposed to new and innovative techniques like auger boring and sonic logging test. I learned to be open-minded and curious about new technologies, and to always be on the lookout for ways to improve processes and increase efficiency.
5. Patience and persistence are important traits The construction industry can be unpredictable and demanding, and unexpected challenges are inevitable. During my internship, I learned that patience and persistence are important traits for success. When things don't go as planned, it's important to stay calm and focused, and to keep working towards a solution. This taught me resilience and the importance of being adaptable.

I am certain that these lessons will be invaluable as I continue to pursue my career in engineering, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have gained such practical experience.

I recently got a chance from my university to go to a Military Training Camp in Manesar in Haryana for a 2 week long military training camp for credits and this has been a life-changing experience. The camp was aimed at imparting self-discipline, punctuality, physical fitness, leadership skills, and teamwork among students.

One of the main takeaways from the training was punctuality. We were expected to report for all activities on time, which instilled in us the importance of time management. This helped us understand that being on time is not just a requirement in the military, but also in all aspects of life. Being punctual ensures that one can complete their work on time, which is crucial in the fast-paced world we live in.

Another significant takeaway from the training was self-discipline. We were expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and dress codes, which helped us develop self-discipline. I had to follow strict rules and regulations that helped me become more organized and focused. This attribute is crucial for students to excel in their academic and personal lives.

Physical fitness was also an integral part of the training course. We had to participate in intensive physical exercises such as running, jogging, and even trekking. These exercises helped us improve our physical stamina and endurance. I also learned about the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good health and well-being. The physical exercises were complemented with entertainment activities like zorbing, rock climbing, parasailing, which helped us develop our adventurous spirit and overcome our fears. I also visited a Herbal Garden and witnessed a military dog show by Amity Dog Academy.

The military parade / march past was a highlight of the training. It required discipline, teamwork, and precision. We had to march in unison, which helped us develop coordination and a sense of unity. It was an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our leadership skills as well, as some of us were appointed as leaders and had to lead our squad in the parade.

The training also emphasized the importance of teamwork. We had to work together to complete tasks such as cleaning the campsite, preparing meals, and even participating in group exercises. I had a first-hand & practical experience of learning that working in a team helps to achieve goals faster, and each individual’s contribution is essential to the team's success.

The training taught us the significance of being adaptable and flexible in different situations. I was faced with various challenges and obstacles during the training, and I had to learn how to adapt to different situations quickly. This skill is essential for students who will soon enter the workforce, where they may encounter different challenges and must be able to adapt to changing circumstances.

These skills will be crucial for my personal and professional growth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this training. I would recommend this course to any student who wishes to develop these essential attributes. Even though I lived in tents in the cold weather, the self-satisfaction I felt at the end of each day was much more than that I feel after completing my exams and assignments at the university,