“I’m Swastika Khanal, currently pursuing a Master of Professional Engineering (Civil) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Nepal.”

Before joining us at LOKA Consulting Engineers, Swastika was curious to explore how engineering practices in Australia differ from those in her home country. She wanted to understand not just the technical aspects, but also the broader professional culture that defines the Australian engineering industry.

“Coming from Nepal, I was eager to learn about Australian construction standards and regulations. During my internship at LOKA, I gained firsthand experience with Australian Standards, the Blue Book, and various council development controls — which gave me a clearer picture of how projects are designed and managed locally.”

Through our structured mentorship program, Swastika worked closely with our engineers and was involved in a range of real-world tasks, including:

• Conducting site assessments for council dilapidation reports
• Preparing construction site management plans and erosion and sediment control plans
• Assisting with internal traffic reports and other development-related documentation
• Learning to use AutoTurn, and AutoCAD for professional engineering applications
• Responding to client queries and supporting project coordination

“This mentorship helped me understand the entire development process — from design to documentation and council approval. I also learned how important communication and collaboration are in ensuring a successful project outcome. Most importantly, it gave me valuable insight into the differences in workplace culture between Australia and Nepal.”