Allan Hakizimana
Site Engineer, The RIX Group, Brisbane
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Construction Engineering
Certificate in Science and Technology
He chose to study engineering because it offered a variety of routes to many exciting careers choices, says Allan Hakizimana who studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Construction Engineering.
“I knew that engineering wouldn’t limit me to one career pathway, and construction is one of the most diverse fields in engineering – from project management and site engineering to quantity surveying, you have many interesting disciplines to choose from.
“At the time of my research into what university I wanted to attend, I realised that AUT understood and taught material that was relevant to potential employers in the industry. I knew I’d be getting the proper exposure to succeed in the field of construction engineering.”
His final-year project was one of the highlights of Allan’s studies.
“It was an excellent simulation of a real-life construction process. It tested my group and I to really put to test all that we had learnt in the years prior. The satisfaction of handing over such a dynamic project made us proud of all our hard work and effort.”
Playing a lead role in construction projects
After graduating from AUT in 2021, Allan joined industry giant Fletcher Construction as a graduate site engineer and continued working there for almost four years.
“I was responsible for understanding the scope of a project through contracts, specifications and shop drawings. During my experience in the New Zealand construction industry, I contributed to a range of high-profile projects, including the Auckland Maximum Prison, Union & Co Apartments and the New Zealand International Convention Centre.”
Now living and working in Brisbane, he recently joined the RIX Group as a site engineer.
“This year marks my first experience managing my own project – overseeing works at Keperra Quarry for housing developer Frasers Property. My daily duties include programming and planning site activities, tracking project costs and maintaining rigorous quality assurance standards. I love contributing my expertise and enthusiasm to such a dynamic and innovative team.”
Advice for other students
Allan’s advice for other students is simple: make the most out of your time at university.
“The number one priority should be to learn as much as possible. They’re so many resources available to students that it would be a shame if they weren’t properly utilised. Even though the social aspect of university can be enjoyable, remember that it shouldn’t supersede the learning aspect of it. I also recall having a lightbulb moment during my third year at university. I developed a four-week study plan for my exams that required me to review material for two subjects a day, three hours each. I was surprised by how well I did during my exams and how much useful information I retained. This proved how effective a good study plan can be.”
He says the three main parts of being a site engineer are communication, planning and collaboration.
“Most of what I do at work involves some form of communication, and being able to learn and seek for answers helps me be an effective communicator in my industry. My ability to break down jobs into achievable targets helps me to plan and deliver key items on time with the desired quality. Finally, collaboration is a key component to success in my industry. It enables you to share ideas and provides a way for individuals to contribute meaningfully towards a common goal. The experience of working in a team during my studies helped me transition comfortably into my career.”
