Punnisa Khamchan (PK)
Junior Project Manager, WOWWONGTHAI CO., LTD., Tha Khantho, Thailand
Master of Engineering Project Management with Honours (First Class)
One of the biggest highlights of her time at AUT was how much she grew as an engineer and as a person, says Punnisa Khamchan (PK) who came to Auckland as an international student from Thailand.
“I’ve always been interested in how things work, which naturally led me to study engineering. But as I gained more experience working on real projects, I realised that knowing how to solve a technical problem was only one part of the challenge. That was what drew me to engineering project management. I wanted to keep my engineering foundation but learn to see projects from a much wider perspective. I chose AUT because I wanted an education that was practical and connected to the real world. Studying in Auckland also gave me the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds and experience a more international way of learning.
“Coming from an engineering background, I initially focused a lot on the technical side of problems. At AUT, being surrounded by people with different backgrounds, experiences and ambitions encouraged me to look beyond that. I really valued the atmosphere at AUT and the ambition of the people around me. Seeing everyone work towards their own goals made me reflect more deeply on my own direction and encouraged me to keep pushing myself. AUT helped me become more well-rounded – more technically capable, more open-minded and more confident in navigating challenges without always needing to have all the answers from the beginning.”
She valued the opportunity to step outside the classroom as part of her university experience.
“At AUT, I had the chance to volunteer at events such as the 32nd International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) Conference and SASBE2024, working alongside other students to help prepare and run the events. These experiences also gave me the opportunity to meet people from many different countries, and hear researchers and professionals share their ideas and experiences. I came to appreciate that professional relationships are connections you build over time. Alongside the factory visits and opportunities to exchange real-world experiences with our lecturers, these experiences helped me become more confident in working with different people and reminded me that the people and relationships behind a project are just as important as the plan itself.”
Feeling well prepared
After graduating from AUT at the end of 2024, Punnisa returned to Thailand, where she works as a junior project manager for construction material company WOWWONGTHAI CO., LTD, her family’s business.
“I care about engineering, design and business. Working on real projects has made me appreciate that good design and good engineering are only part of the picture. A project must make sense financially, the right people need to be involved, and everything has to come together within the time available. I like taking an idea and working through what it would take to make it happen, rather than only thinking about how it looks on paper.
“I value how much I’ve grown since I started working. I’ve become better at solving problems when things don’t go as planned, and more comfortable communicating with different people and thinking about how a decision affects everyone involved. Being able to communicate confidently in English has also opened more opportunities for me and allowed me to build connections broadly. Working with the family business has given me the opportunity to explore how I can develop and build on what we already have, while also thinking about businesses I may want to develop in the future.”
She says her time at AUT in Auckland prepared her well for her career today.
“I expected AUT to prepare me for a career in project management. What I didn’t expect was how much it would prepare me for uncertainty. AUT gave me the confidence to keep learning, adapt when things change and work things out along the way.”
Advice for other students
Punnisa’s advice for other students is simple: make a plan and stick to it as much as you can.
“I’ve used this mindset throughout my studies and still use it in my work. When you have a clear plan, even a difficult goal becomes easier to manage because you know what you need to do next. Start early, give yourself enough time, then follow through with it. You’ll always have things that don’t go according to plan, but having a plan gives you something to work from when they do.”
She also has some guidance for those interested in a career in engineering project management.
“Be confident enough to make decisions, but humble enough to change your position when you realise there is a better way. In project work, you’ll work with people from different backgrounds and levels of responsibility. Never look down on someone because of their position and never use your position to take advantage of them. Treat everyone with the same respect, whether they’re a client, a colleague or someone working on site. Good results depend on cooperation, and cooperation starts with respect.”
