Now a Project Engineer at IPS, Sonam’s journey from Bhutan to Brisbane has been shaped by persistence, purpose and the power of professional connection.
A chance encounter with IPS Managing Director Sascha Kurz at an Engineers Australia networking event set the stage for an exciting new chapter in the career of Sonam Yangdon, IPS’s newest Project Engineer.
After relocating from Bhutan to Australia in 2019, Sonam was determined to build her career in a new country, but like many skilled migrants, she faced the familiar hurdle of breaking into the local industry without Australian experience.
Seizing every opportunity to grow her network and skills, she landed a key role at IPS where she now applies her skills and experience to infrastructure projects across Brisbane.
Engineering foundations in the heart of the Himalayas
Sonam’s engineering journey began in Bhutan, where she worked as a Junior Site Engineer on civil construction and road infrastructure projects. The hands-on nature of this work gave her a strong grounding in construction practices, health and safety, and project coordination.
Encouraged by her father to seek overseas opportunities in a multicultural and welcoming country, Sonam chose Brisbane for its sunny weather, career prospects and lifestyle. “Australia is an amazing country and very diverse,” she says. “I chose Brisbane because it has a growing engineering industry, beautiful weather and a great lifestyle.” And yes, the beaches factored in too. “There are no beaches in Bhutan!” she laughs.
Bridging international experience with local standards
With a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Kurukshetra University in India and an MBA in Leadership from James Cook University, Sonam combines technical expertise with business strategy and strong communication skills.
“Closing the ‘skills gap’ was a bit of a challenge, being a migrant,” Sonam said. “Although I had my engineering degree, I couldn’t secure a role straight away because I lacked local experience. I got my Professional Engineer credential with Engineers Australia, to align my experience with Australian standards. I also kept my skills fresh by taking short industry courses in residential design and land development, and by attending networking events.”
A meaningful connection at Engineers Australia
It was at one of those networking events that Sonam’s journey took a pivotal turn. “I met Sascha Kurz at an Engineers Australia industry event, where she gave a speech as Engineer of the Year,” Sonam says.
“It was inspiring to see a woman owning an engineering firm and being recognised like that. I introduced myself afterwards, and later she invited me for a catch-up and interview. I’m so grateful for that opportunity.”
Today, Sonam is a Project Engineer at IPS, contributing to several infrastructure projects, including water infrastructure, an exciting new specialty for her. “Back in Bhutan, I worked mainly in civil construction. Now, I’m involved in water projects and learning about design and planning. It’s a great opportunity to explore a new specialisation.”
“In Bhutan, site engineers often work like subcontractors. At IPS, the work is divided into specialised departments, which is more efficient and allows you to focus on your niche. I really enjoy helping to manage projects all the way from conception to completion.”
What stands out most about IPS, Sonam says, is the collaborative, supportive culture. “No matter how busy things get, there’s always a team effort. We check in on each other during stressful times, and the culture is genuinely caring and friendly. I’ve worked in other sectors and teams, but the culture here is something I truly value and adore.”
When she’s not managing projects, Sonam enjoys exploring Brisbane and playing badminton with her husband. Her advice to other emerging engineers, especially migrants trying to break into the local industry, is to invest in your network.
“Networking is so important. Attend industry events, meet people face to face and show genuine interest in the work and the people. It really makes a difference.”
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