19 March 2025 | Story: Tayron Mhlongo | Photo: Peter Masela.
2 minutes read time.
The journey from student to professional engineer can often feel like navigating a complex blueprint, filled with challenges, uncertainties, and the need for precise guidance. Recognising this, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), in partnership with the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Building and Construction Student Society Organisation (BCESSO), has taken decisive steps to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional mastery.
In a collaborative effort with VUT’s Alumni Relations Department, SAICE delivered a thought-provoking engagement designed to equip civil engineering students with the tools necessary for long-term success. Held on 28 February 2025, this event came at a pivotal moment, offering insights that resonate well beyond the lecture halls.
At the heart of the gathering was SAICE’s National President for 2025, Mr Friedrich Slabbert, a distinguished contributor to the development of South Africa’s road maintenance and design manuals. His address to the students underscored the importance of visualising one’s career as a puzzle: each piece representing skills, experiences, and lessons that, when carefully aligned, reveal the bigger picture. “Find the big picture, find what you want to do,” he urged, challenging attendees to approach their careers with deliberate intent.
Mr Slabbert also introduced a framework of four progressive phases in professional development, moving from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence. He highlighted that real growth lies in recognising one’s limitations, actively working towards improvement, and ultimately becoming an advocate for excellence within the field.
BCESSO has committed to building on this momentum, ensuring students remain supported through mentorship opportunities, networking platforms, and access to continuous learning resources. By fostering these connections, they aim to cultivate a generation of engineers who are not only technically proficient but also empowered to drive innovation and sustainable development in civil engineering.
Seventeen days on, the impact of the event continues to resonate, reinforcing the crucial role that professional bodies like SAICE play in shaping the future of the industry, one student, one piece at a time.
