 |
 |
|
|
REALISING A DREAM
|
|
Michelle Marijnen always dreamt of working for a
company that would take the time to invest in her
professional development and ongoing training in the
organisation. Africon Engineering International is a
company that incorporates these values, prompting
Michelle to make a formal application and
subsequently landing her the position of Civil
Engineer.
|
|
Michelle’s interest in Civil Engineering first sparked
when she took on graphical design as an extra subject
in matric. “I found myself enjoying the creative side
of design and followed a qualification in civil
engineering because the discipline offers endless
possibilities,” she explains.
As Michelle recalls, being a woman civil engineer in a
male dominated environment when you are just starting
out was intimidating at first. “One of the things that
I had to guard against was being taken for granted or
worse yet, not being taken seriously. This means that
you end up working harder just to prove your worth but
once you become proficient and competent, respect
usually follows.”
“The environment is definitely changing though. In our
civil division we consist of four young ladies whereas
before it used to be an all male team. I also find
that many of the contractors on site are quite
supportive, especially on the Fairlands project that I
am currently working on,” says Michelle.
The Fairlands project requires the construction of a
new corporate head office for the Wesbank and First
National Bank Home Loans division in Fairlands
Johannesburg. Africon was appointed to handle the
structural, civil, fire, geotechnical, facade as well
as the wet services engineering services on this
venture. “The project started in 2005 but I only
started working on the assignment when I joined
Africon in May this year. In this joint venture, we
did the bulk earthworks while Iliso Consulting did the
access road and services on the project.”
Being one of the larger civil consulting companies, it
is easy to draw on the resources and expertise of some
of the other branches in the group and Michelle finds
herself in awe at the level of expertise demonstrated
by many of her more experienced colleagues. “I believe
that we have some of the best designers working at
Africon Engineering International and they are very
proficient in the use of AllyCAD and Civil Designer,
making work here a real pleasure.”
|
 |
Personal |
 |
|
Michelle Marijnen
“It is great to work for
Africon Engineering International because they
invest in their people and they give you the
training and support that you need, especially to
the younger engineers,” says Michelle Marijnen,
civil engineer at Africon Johannesburg.
Michelle studied her civil engineering
qualification at the University of Johannesburg
and then went to work for Stuart Scott
International for a year after receiving a bursary
from them. Since then, she has become permanently
employed at Africon Engineering International. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
“We do a lot of CAD work and make good use of Civil
Designer. I am currently doing the geometric layout
for the bulk earthworks as well as the platform
designs for all the parking areas. We are more than
halfway through the project and it is anticipated that
the full assignment will be completed in 2008. What
makes this project particularly challenging, is that
the structure is being built while the design is under
way, which means that output has to happen almost
immediately within really tight deadlines.”
Michelle draws on as many avenues of support as she
can and enjoys the weekly newsletters from Knowledge
Base with all the Tech Tips. “I must admit that I find
a lot of value in the newsletters because it keeps me
informed. I also print out the Tech Tip tutorials
because it contains a lot of useful information on how
to use the program more efficiently for faster
output.”
Since Michelle has realised her dream of working for a
company that she has always admired, she has made big
plans for the future. “I would like to be the site RE
at Africon, pursue my Masters Degree in Risk
Management and then become Pr Eng qualified once I’ve
earned my stripes here,” she says confidently. To
Michelle Marijnen, the realisation of a dream has
never tasted sweeter. |
|
|
Last Updated:
September 20, 2007
|
|
|
 |
