Work from Heart

— Gigi Wang, Control Engineer, Project Service Division of HBO, CTCI Corp., Group Engineering Business

Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

Hi, my name is Gigi Wang. I grew up in Indonesia. After finishing high school, I came back to Taiwan to study for my bachelor's degree. My major was civil engineering and construction management.

What made you join CTCI?

A friend of mine recommended me to apply for CTCI summer intern at CTCI’s Procurement Department while I was studying for my master’s degree. During these two months, I learned a lot and met people who inspired and guided me not only in life but also how to solve problems at work. Because of this priceless experience, I made up my mind to join the CTCI family after graduating from National Taiwan University.

Could you give us some examples of the foreign culture and people that impress you during your stay (when being relocated)?

Currently I am assigned to PTTLNG Nong Fab LNG Receiving Terminal Project in Thailand’s Rayong Province. The project is contracted by CTCI in a joint venture with Saipem. The scope of Nong Fab LNG Receiving Terminal project includes engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of two 250,000m³ storage tanks, a 7.5 million metric tons per annum re-gasification facility, a long trestle marine jetty, and an eco-friendly administration building. At our construction site, safety is the most important issue. Before monitoring subcontractor works, all SPCC (Saipem and CTCI Joint Venture) team members need to receive safety trainings related to working in a confined space, at height, etc., and all these high-risk operations are performed in compliance with strict procedures. Moreover, when you have questions or encounter any problem, people at the site are always willing to help and teach you unselfishly. Coming from all over the world, we work together and put all effort into this project, and the feeling of being united as a part of the team really impressed me and make me feel invincible.

When working overseas, food in particular is most related to our life. Thai food is famous for its sour and spicy tastes. Indeed, the level of food spiciness local people can withstand is totally different from average people. When dining with the locals, you would see them adding pepper just like adding salt or soy sauce, and they would always add whatever they want. I hope that at the end of this project I can be just like local Thai people.

How do you get rid of work stress?

Most people feel lonely and stressed when working overseas, especially when you need to deal with clients and subcontractors every day. Nevertheless, I met quite a few nice people in Thailand, and we are just like a big family. We would go traveling together on holidays, and visit tourist attractions like Bangkok, Phuket, etc. As the saying goes, “work hard, play hard.” That’s what we do after work, enjoying life and exploring this beautiful country.

Could you share some interesting experiences you have had when working in CTCI?

I have joined CTCI family for 5.5 years. Working at sites brings an advantage of seeing construction works in front of you--everything that originally could only be seen through 3D models or just from the plot plans, such as pipe racks, package equipment, etc., are now transformed into their actual forms. The most interesting experience I had was the time when I was assigned to a proposal project, which was a joint venture project with CB&I. I had a business trip opportunity to attend a schedule review meeting before officially submitting the proposal. CB&I’s head office was in the Hague and I had never thought that my first visit to the Netherlands would happen this way. I had acquired job knowledge and different workplace cultures through this memorable trip. This valuable experience has opened up my horizons as well.