A chat with... Shathie Nkoni

As part of a series of stories profiling people of influence from around Beca, we asked Senior Associate – Project Management Shathie Nkoni to tell us about her career journey and life outside of work.

Tell us about your childhood – where did you grow up?

For the first seven years of my life, I was nurtured by my grandmother in Tshesebe, a village in Botswana. I cherish the memories from that time, especially of my older brother and I walking hand in hand for about 5km to reach school. 

Then, from age 7 through to grade 6, I lived in a diamond mining town called Orapa, with my parents. When I moved there, I couldn’t speak English fluently. 

That was probably one of the toughest yet defining moments of my childhood – this girl from the village in a multi-racial school where people around me were speaking English all day long.

I was bullied - kids would tease me because teachers favoured me in some subjects, yet I couldn’t speak English fluently. Looking back, that period of my life gave me the drive to work hard and learn even more. I wanted to achieve so much.

What were you like as a child? What did you want to be?

I was a quiet, reserved and extremely inquisitive child.

I thought about being a pilot. As a child, I had never seen a plane, but when I finally did see one, I remember wondering what it was like up there. 

When did you move to Australia?

I moved to Australia 16 years ago to study. I was granted a scholarship from the Government of Botswana to pursue an undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Adelaide.  

Why did you choose engineering? 

My Mum wanted me to be a doctor, but my Dad insisted I look into mining engineering – I was intrigued because the mining engineers I was exposed to all seemed to drive nice cars and earn good money. 

I was eventually drawn to civil and environmental engineering for its wide range of career opportunities. As time passed, my interest naturally aligned with the water industry. It's a field I'm passionate about and thoroughly enjoy.

My ambition is to eventually return to Botswana. Although I had the opportunity to do so after graduation, I decided to first gain some international experience. In the future, I aim to contribute the valuable insights I've acquired abroad. 

When people ask whether I want to share this aspiration with my employer, I say yes because it demonstrates my commitment to learning, growth and my wholehearted dedication to my role. My initial plan was to stay in Australia for five years upon graduating, yet I’ve been at Beca eight years now. The reason I remain is the ongoing opportunities and potential for growth. Now, with two children, their future also plays a significant role in my planning. 

As well as your project delivery work, you’re the Client Relationship Manager for a large water provider in Melbourne. What do you enjoy about working in the water industry? 

Working in the water industry is so rewarding! The industry encompasses a range of disciplines from engineering to project management, advisory and planning – there is so much opportunity to explore various career avenues. I enjoy working with our water clients to achieve outcomes that positively impact communities and their customers. 

I hope in the future to be able to connect expertise and share ideas between people here in Australia and back home. 

What have you learned about yourself through your work? 

I've grown to have more confidence in myself. Although I tend to doubt my abilities, I recognise that I am both capable and passionate. 

I've also realised that my goals must extend beyond personal ambitions; they need to be driven by a purpose that is greater than myself.

What advice do you offer to others? 

You must start somewhere. Begin with the less glamorous jobs that may not seem appealing. These experiences will teach you a great deal about yourself, more than the attractive jobs ever could. 

When I started my career, my roles involved a lot of administrative tasks and I dedicated myself fully to them. This helped me forge strong relationships with my managers, who then assisted me in seeking opportunities to enhance my knowledge and advance my career. To this day, I maintain connections with the individuals who supported me in my early days. 

When you remain true to your ‘why’, the work transcends mere tasks. It’s the relationships you cultivate along the way that truly add meaning to your efforts.

Everything that I’ve achieved in my life is because someone else has opened a door for me, coupled with my hard work of course! So, I’m always keen to open the door for the next person.

You also have a presence as a social media influencer. How did that come about? 

It was when my son started modelling. I created an Instagram page for him, and I would post about what we were doing. I found that people were interested in what I was wearing, so I started a page for myself.

Crafting content is enjoyable and a refreshing change from my corporate work. I really enjoy fashion. Life is too short to be wearing boring clothes! More importantly, I believe it’s beneficial to have representation and see people who look like me on these platforms. That’s precisely why I introduced my son into modelling – so he can reflect on his experiences of modelling for Australian brands and feel a sense of belonging. 

What’s your ultimate goal? 

To have a role at executive level. I have a fascination for what it might allow me to do in terms of giving back and imparting change. There’s a lot of learning to get to that, but that’s what I’m determined to do. If it happens when I’m back home, that’s an even bigger bonus. 

This might be a tricky question. How would you describe what it feels like to be African? 

Oh, this might make me cry. The feeling of being African is deeply personal – everyone’s experience is unique and as diverse as the continent of Africa itself. 

When I contemplate what it means to be African, words that come to mind include richness, culture, pride and nature. I feel like Africans have a lot to give. There’s a profound sense of pride within us, yet it often feels like we’re in a constant state of proving our worth. 

Africans possess remarkable resilience and a steadfast belief in a better tomorrow. 

Being African is not always easy, but you just keep going - I wouldn’t have it any other way.