Building the Foundations of a Career
By Tarlia Gerald | Project Lead: Pavement Engineering & Construction: Transportation
My career started in 2021 as a Graduate Engineer. Rather than immediately specialising, I took the opportunity to gain exposure to different areas of civil engineering, including geometrics, stormwater management and bulk main services. That experience helped me understand how different disciplines connect and helped me discover where my strengths and interests lay. In 2022, I joined the Pavement Engineering and Construction Division at Naidu Consulting, which quickly became a defining part of my career. Within four months, I was entrusted with my first pavement design project under supervision, and within a year, I progressed into a Project Lead role. That early responsibility taught me that becoming a capable engineer is not just about developing technical knowledge; it is also about learning to make decisions, communicate effectively, manage expectations and take ownership of the outcome.
Growing Beyond My Comfort Zone
One of the biggest changes in my career has been developing the confidence to use my voice. Moving from graduate-level responsibilities into project leadership meant that I could no longer rely solely on the experience of those around me. I had to develop my own judgement and become comfortable making and communicating decisions. Representing Naidu Consulting at professional engagements, contributing to industry discussions and working with senior specialists and stakeholders also pushed me beyond traditional technical work. I have learned that confidence does not mean knowing everything. For me, it means being prepared, asking the right questions, being willing to challenge something when necessary and trusting that my experience gives me a valuable perspective.
Developing Leadership Through Opportunity
My transition into leadership happened quite early in my career, but it has continued to evolve as my responsibilities have grown. As a Project Lead, I learned to manage multiple projects, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and balance technical requirements with programme, client and delivery considerations. Today, leading Naidu Consulting’s Integrated Climate Solutions Unit has broadened my understanding of what leadership can mean. I work across different divisions, helping to embed climate-conscious thinking into planning, design and implementation. It has also given me the opportunity to engage with clients such as SANRAL and the Department of Transport, senior executives, industry specialists and other stakeholders. I have learned that leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about creating space for good ideas, bringing people together and helping others see how their work contributes to something bigger.
Learning, Sharing and Giving Back
Mentorship has become increasingly important to me because I have experienced first-hand how much professional growth can be accelerated when someone is willing to share their knowledge and create an opportunity for you. Santosh Soobryan taught me that being a good engineer means having the ability to identify the details and mistakes that others may overlook. Semeshan Naidoo taught me the fundamentals of pavement engineering and helped shape the way I approach pavement design. Mahendren Manicum taught me the importance of giving my ideas a voice, having the confidence to put them forward and creating space for myself and others to contribute within the industry.
As I have progressed in my career, I have become equally passionate about giving that opportunity to others. Naidu Consulting’s Academy of Excellence provides a meaningful platform for this, focusing not only on technical development but also on professional growth and workplace readiness. I have also had the opportunity to speak to young girls about STEM careers and what it is like to be a female engineer. These experiences have reinforced my belief that sometimes the most powerful thing you can give someone is the confidence to see themselves in a career they may not have previously considered possible. For me, mentorship is not simply about transferring technical knowledge; it is about helping people build confidence, recognise their potential and know that there is a place for them in this profession.
Challenging the Status Quo
My experience in engineering has taught me that breaking barriers is not always about one defining moment; it is often about consistently stepping forward when an opportunity presents itself. My technical work has taken me into areas that are relatively new to traditional engineering practice, including carbon quantification, climate adaptation and sustainable pavement technologies. These experiences have reinforced my belief that being an engineer means being willing to question how things are currently done and look for better, more sustainable ways of delivering infrastructure.
Building a Legacy of Opportunity
For me, inspiring the next generation is closely linked to representation and creating opportunities. I want young women entering engineering to see that there is no single path they have to follow. My advice would be to stay curious, take opportunities that challenge you and not feel that you need to have your entire career mapped out from the start. Build your technical foundation, find people who will challenge and support you, and when you eventually have the opportunity to open a door for someone else, do it.
