Kritika Adhikari

In her six year journey with UGL, Kritika Adhikari, a communications engineer, has risen from a graduate on the CIMIC Group graduate program to a crucial team member on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project. Reflecting on her journey from her start in 2018, Kritika shares, "When I first came to Australia in 2015, I had no idea that a few years later, I'd be working on such an impactful project. It was a huge leap, moving from Darwin to Sydney, but the experience and support I received made it worth every moment."

Starting as an international graduate with a Master of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kritika encountered initial challenges in adapting to the field. "It was my first engineering job in Australia," she recalls. "The equipment, processes, and project scale were new to me, and at first, everything was theoretical. Once we moved into the practical phase I also learnt by seeing and doing." Working closely with the Sydney Metro team, Kritika had the opportunity to engage in hands-on work, from designing and testing communication systems to troubleshooting on site with multiple stakeholders.

Now, as an experienced engineer, Kritika is giving back by mentoring new graduates in the program. “I take my mentee’s along on site visits, letting them see the real systems in action. It’s important they receive support to learn as much as possible." Her dedication to mentoring reflects the growth she’s achieved and her commitment to helping others navigate their early career.

For Kritika, UGL’s commitment to inclusivity and flexibility is one of the reasons she’s remained with the company for so long. "As a female engineer, I've always felt supported," she notes. "My team is diverse, with different backgrounds and cultures, and we respect and celebrate each other’s traditions. It’s what makes UGL a great place to work."

With the Southwest stage of Sydney Metro underway, Kritika continues to apply her experience and passion to UGL’s projects. Reflecting on her journey, she says, "I've grown with this project. Every challenge has been a lesson, and every success a shared achievement with my team. UGL truly values integrity, flexibility, and diversity, and I’m grateful to be part of a company that embodies these values."