With more than 10 years of experience in civil engineering, Lim Soktay has a lot of knowledge in the field to share. After obtaining a PhD in Thailand in 2007, he became the dean of the Civil Engineering Department at Norton University.

“Talented civil engineers – both men and women – must be deeply in love with the field. Building, designing and calculating have to be their favourite things,” Soktay said, adding that students should have profound knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry. Students who don’t do well with science should not despair, however; according to Soktay they can still become good civil engineers if they are willing to work hard.

Soktay also stressed the practical experience students should gain while studying.

“They [students] should do internships during their vacations so they can put theory into practice. And it helps them to build networks within the industry, so when they graduate they will have better chances of finding a job.”

The PhD also mentioned the large gap between male and female students pursuing a career in civil engineering, but said he thinks that it shouldn’t stop girls chasing their dream career.

“It [the gender gap] is a result of the culture of the country,” he said.

“It is the mindset of the old generation that women should not study this major, but in other countries the number of both sexes in the field is balanced.”