I joined ESS as a civil engineer with a solid foundation in the field, having worked in site supervision and quality control. However, my true passion for structural analysis and design flourished at ESS, where my role evolved to focus on these core areas. As my responsibilities grew, I also had the opportunity to contribute to training programs and hazard assessments, enhancing my leadership and communication skills.
Time management became crucial as I balanced multiple tasks and tight deadlines, learning effective strategies from my colleagues. I expanded my skillset by mastering structural analysis software, hazard assessment tools, and GIS to further improve my efficiency. Additionally, I learned programming languages like VBA and Python, which allowed me to automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes.
A standout moment in my career was contributing to the NDRRMA project, focusing on vulnerability assessments and retrofit designs for school buildings. Working under tight deadlines, I strengthened my teamwork skills and contributed to the successful completion of this important project.
My involvement in seismic hazard assessment and risk modeling, particularly through collaborations with the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, has significantly advanced my professional and research expertise. By contributing to ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) weightage calculations and developing fragility models from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake damage data, I deepened my understanding of seismic risk analysis. Leading the Seismic Risk Assessment of Darjeeling Municipality further honed my skills in using tools like OpenQuake and QGIS to integrate diverse datasets, including census data and field surveys, for creating actionable risk maps and mitigation strategies. These experiences have not only strengthened my technical proficiency but also enhanced my ability to lead complex research projects and contribute meaningfully to disaster resilience and risk reduction efforts.
Another significant achievement was my involvement in the NSSP project, in ESS, which was implemented by a consortium led by Crown Agent in collaboration with NSET, ARUP, and Save the Children, aimed at retrofitting school buildings in western Nepal for earthquake safety. The project had a tangible impact, particularly during the Bajhang earthquake, showcasing the resilience of the retrofitted structures.
I also take pride in my community outreach efforts, including leading mason training and earthquake preparedness sessions to raise awareness about safe building practices. Throughout my journey at ESS, I’ve embraced every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. I’ve become a more effective and efficient structural engineer by staying current with technological advancements and refining my skills.
