Shreya Parajuli

Seeing her father work firsthand as a civil engineer on infrastructure and community development projects, Shreya Parajuli’s interest in engineering was sparked at a young age. This early exposure shaped her curiosity about the field and her growing interest in how engineering can improve daily life and support long-term community development.

From Nepal to the Land Down Under

After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in Nepal, Shreya set her sights in the engineering field. “After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in Nepal, I wanted to further develop my technical knowledge and gain international exposure in the engineering field. This motivated me to pursue a Master of Engineering (Civil: Structural) at the Engineering Institute of Technology.”

One of the key factors that influenced Shreya’s decision was the practical and student-focused learning environment she was looking for. “One of the main reasons I chose EIT was its industry-focused and practical learning approach. I was also attracted by the flexible study structure, supportive learning environment, and access to engineering software and resources that are important for practical learning. As an international student, the schedule helped me effectively balance my studies, part-time work, and personal responsibilities while still receiving quality engineering education.”

Another important aspect of her decision was the opportunity to study in a setting closely connected to real industry expectations and practices. “Another reason I chose EIT was because I had heard positive feedback about engineering opportunities in Australia and wanted to study in an environment that prepares students for real industry applications. Through projects, research work, and collaboration with students from different professional and cultural backgrounds, I was able to strengthen both my technical understanding and professional confidence.”

Shaping Structures at EIT

Shreya’s academic journey at EIT was strongly shaped by her growing interest in structural engineering and its real-world applications. “As a structural engineering student, I especially enjoyed subjects related to structural analysis, design, and engineering software applications. Working on assignments, technical reports, and projects helped me improve both my technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. I also found the multicultural learning environment valuable because it allowed me to interact with students from different professional and cultural backgrounds.”

When it comes to learning tools, Shreya found flexibility and accessibility to be particularly valuable in supporting her studies. “One of the most helpful learning features for me at the Engineering Institute of Technology was the recorded lectures and virtual classroom environment. As an international student balancing studies, part-time work, and other responsibilities, having access to recorded lectures allowed me to review topics at my own pace and revisit complex concepts whenever needed. I also found the eLibrary very useful during assignments, research work, and technical report writing, especially for accessing engineering journals, standards, and academic references. This became particularly valuable while working on projects and my thesis related to structural and pavement engineering.”

Debugging Student Life

 While her studies were rewarding, Shreya also faced challenges that tested her time management and adaptability. “One of the biggest challenges I faced during my studies was balancing academics, part-time work, and personal responsibilities as an international student. Managing assignments, exams, and project deadlines while adapting to a new environment requires strong time management and discipline. At times, technical subjects and software-related tasks were also challenging.”

Despite Shreya’s workload pressures, she also navigated her way to get through difficulties related to technical aspects of her studies. “The learning environment at the Engineering Institute of Technology helped me overcome these challenges through flexible learning tools such as recorded lectures, online resources, and remote lab access. I especially appreciated being able to email lecturers whenever I had confusion regarding assignments or technical concepts, and they were usually supportive and quick to respond with explanations.”

Career Growth and Advice

Shreya’s studies have played a key role in shaping her professional direction and strengthening her confidence as an emerging structural engineer. “Studying at the Engineering Institute of Technology has had a significant influence on both my career direction and professional goals. One of the biggest influences on my career path was the opportunity to complete an internship at Rio Tinto during my studies, which strengthened my interest in infrastructure, mining, and large-scale engineering projects.”

Alongside academic development, she also noticed clear growth in her confidence and professional capabilities. “I became more confident in my technical knowledge, communication skills, and ability to work on engineering-related projects and tasks. Studying in a multicultural learning environment helped me improve my teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while also broadening my understanding of engineering practices in different parts of the world.”

Looking Through a Structural Lens

Looking ahead, Shreya remains focused on building her career in structural and infrastructure engineering while sharing practical advice for future students. “In the short term, my goal is to continue building my experience in the Australian engineering industry, particularly in structural, infrastructure, and mining-related projects. In the long term, I aspire to grow into a professional structural engineer who can contribute to large-scale and meaningful engineering projects that create long-term value for communities and industry. My advice to future students would be to stay consistent, manage their time well, and make full use of the learning resources and opportunities provided by the Engineering Institute of Technology.”