Kerri
Kerri Koster knew she wanted to become a civil engineer when, during a job-shadowing experience inspecting an affordable housing development, she realised what a difference civil engineers could make in society.
“That was the specific moment when I realised what I wanted to do.”
Kerri has always had a knack for Maths, Science, and problem-solving and decided to study for a Bachelor of Science. “One year into studying, I realised that it wasn’t for me and wanted to explore other options to see if I could find a career that I’d be passionate about.”
So, she job-shadowed two civil engineers and found a career that combined her favourite activities: problem-solving and working with people. She earned a bursary to study and eventually work at Royal HaskoningDHV, where she has been for 10 years.
What do you love about your job?
“The ability to design and construct infrastructure that has a positive impact on the quality of peoples’ lives.”
She recalls waiting in the reception area for her job interview. “People looked happy and were engaging with each other; there was a generally positive atmosphere around the workplace,” she says. “I also liked the brand promise, which touched on the positive impact of our work.”
What’s your favourite work memory?
"We used to run donation drives as part of Youth Month celebrations where we collected funds and donations for charities. I was always so proud of how everyone came together to donate items and give up their time to help others."
Today, Kerri is a civil engineer in the Water Advisory Group and believes you’re only as strong as your team. She’s proud to be surrounded by a diverse group of intelligent people who put in the time and effort to make a difference.
“There’s still so much more to accomplish. I’m so excited to be a part of it and to see what the next 100 years will bring as we embrace the Digital Way of Working to create more innovative, smarter solutions.”