Jeric Rile

Going Beyond Borders

An engineering career can begin with one foundation and evolve in directions that are not always expected. For Jeric Rile, that foundation took root in the Philippines, where an early interest in how structures perform gradually grew into a pursuit of civil engineering. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and gaining four years of offshore experience, he realized he wanted to strengthen his technical capability and transition into the Australian engineering industry.  

The move to Brisbane, however, brought more than a change in location for Jeric.

Australia gave him a different perspective on the gaps he still needed to address. “Moving to Australia required me to learn a new culture, adapt to different expectations, and build confidence without the familiar support of my family and close friends back home. While I’m grateful for the relatives who support me here, the personal transition was still significant. It pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.” 

As Jeric found his footing in his new surroundings, it also prompted a deeper reflection on his development as an engineering professional. Studying and working in Australia also gave him a fresh perspective on the areas he wanted to strengthen. “Coming here made me realize how much more I needed to learn even though I already held a civil engineering degree from my home country.”  

With this, it led Jeric to seek an educational environment that could strengthen his capabilities while also helping him move closer to the kind of structural engineering work he wanted to pursue in the future. 

Reframing a New Foundation

Jeric’s search led him to the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), where he enrolled in the Master of Engineering (Civil: Structural) (CRICOS Course Code: 0100461). “I chose EIT because of its strong industry alignment and the caliber of its lecturers, all of whom are professionals with expertise in structural engineering, construction, and research.”  

For Jeric, EIT’s blended learning model helped bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, giving him valuable insights from industry professionals alongside his structural engineering studies. 

As he says, “EIT’s hands-on workshops and industry exposure kept me motivated and connected to real engineering practice.” The value of this learning has become clearer as he continues to navigate his professional development in Australia, particularly through the opportunity to apply what he has learned at EIT in a professional setting.  

“I applied the structural analysis concepts and software skills I learned at EIT directly to real projects. Using SpaceGass and Abaqus, I assisted in modelling precast wall systems and evaluating load behavior.”  

Advancing Through Sustainability

As Jeric continues to strengthen his structural engineering expertise, his focus is also expanding towards more sustainable construction. This interest has led him to explore sustainable precast solutions through his current thesis, where he is examining whether the use of sustainable materials in precast systems can contribute to structural performance.  

Working through this project, according to Jeric, has also reinforced the importance of communicating his ideas clearly, particularly when engaging with lecturers, mentors, and project teams in the engineering field.

EIT has supported this part of his development alongside his technical training and industry-focused workshops. For Jeric, his interest in sustainable engineering is developing alongside the responsibilities he manages as an international student. Beyond his studies, he works in healthcare and serves as a Student Representative Committee (SRC) Member at EIT.

For Jeric, navigating through these demands has strengthened his sense of purpose and shaped the kind of contribution he wants to make through engineering. “My motivation to develop sustainable engineering solutions, including innovative precast wall systems, has become a driving force in my journey.” 

Building Towards What’s Next

Now with graduation ahead, Jeric aims to apply what he has developed through his studies in the engineering and construction industry. His immediate goal is to secure a graduate engineer role.  

Jeric’s journey has also given him a perspective he hopes to share with students who may be navigating their own path in engineering. For international students like him, stepping into a new country can be more than an academic transition. It can be the beginning of building a level of perspective and confidence to contribute to the engineering challenges of tomorrow.