In the past, civil engineering has been predominantly male, and female civil engineers still face difficulties in gaining recognition. Despite advancements in gender equality promotion in the workplace, women still encounter prejudices and obstacles. Women who work in male-dominated fields may need to exert more effort to demonstrate their competence and gain respect from their peers. However, some female leaders have succeeded in the civil engineering industry even with the challenges. One of these accomplished women is Sindhu GM, the Managing Partner at 3E SERVICES.

Sindhu GM is a dynamic and accomplished civil engineer and a true inspiration to many aspiring women in the field. With more than a decade of experience in civil engineering, she has established herself as an expert in her field, always striving for excellence and delivering exceptional results. As the Managing Partner at 3E SERVICES, she has played a vital role in providing innovative engineering solutions to clients across various sectors.

Below is an excerpt of Sindhu GM’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine.

What factors influenced you to pursue a career in construction and infrastructure?

Civil engineering has been my career of choice since I was a young child, and it was never by chance, but rather a natural progression from my father's background who was a government official, where I witnessed first-hand the respect and admiration he received from others in the field. However, I have always had the desire to create my own brand, rather than work for a known brand. During my engineering studies, I met our current CEO, who allowed me to work on one of his projects for my internship. This experience allowed me to develop a passion for Structural strengthening and Retrofitting works. My interest in civil engineering was further solidified during my internship attending different projects. Thus, all these events inculcated a passion in me for this field, and here I am today.

How has your professional journey been so far at 3E SERVICES?

As I reflect on my professional journey, I feel grateful to have started with 3E SERVICES 14 years ago. My journey began as an intern, and that experience was pivotal in shaping my fondness for this company. As a female civil engineer, I was well aware of the industry's male-dominated nature. While working on various projects, I hardly ever saw any women on-site. I wanted to be different; I wanted to be part of the action. Fortunately, our CEO provided me with the opportunity to work on-site and helped me grow my passion for civil engineering and Retrofitting. Today, I am proud to say that I am one of the stakeholders in this organization, a testament to my dedication and hard work.

“I believe that proper planning of manpower, material, machine, method known as 4m, & teamwork is critical to ensure timely project delivery”

Throw some light on the different responsibilities you shoulder as the Managing Partner.

As a Managing Partner, my role involves handling a diverse team of workers and dealing with the client's top management. Delivering projects on time and ensuring quality is a crucial responsibility that I take seriously. Throughout my professional journey, I've worked in various parts of India, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, gaining a wealth of experience in managing projects. And as a leader and an experienced professional, I believe that proper planning of material, manpower, and method, machine, known as 4M, is critical to ensure timely project delivery. Once the project is secured, I take charge of the planning process, including identifying vendors and screening them. Monitoring workers' progress, attending client meetings, and overseeing project handovers are among the other tasks I undertake. Overall, I take pride in delivering projects that meet client satisfaction and exceed expectations.

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your Mantra for success?

When we were first presented with the opportunity to work with Adani, there were initial hesitations. We were primarily operating within Karnataka, but we decided to take the chance and venture into new territories. Our hard work and dedication paid off, as we received the Excellence Award from the American Concrete Institute in 2020 for our work on the Adani project. Additionally, I am honored to have been recognized as the Emerging Concrete Engineer of Karnataka - 2022 by the Indian Concrete Institute, Played a key role in companies growth by 70 percent.

Furthermore, speaking about my success mantra, maintaining a positive attitude and ethical approach has always been a top priority for me. By being super focused, I can channel my dedication toward achieving my goals. Also, I believe in having a clear blueprint for the future, which is why I started planning over a decade ago. I continuously strive to refine my plan and stay on track with my aspirations. Moreover, perseverance is a fundamental principle that I live by, and I always put in the effort required to succeed in any aspect of life.

Sindhu GM, Managing Partner, 3E Services

Sindhu is the Managing Partner at 3E SERVICES, the Finest Company made for RETROFITTING, REPAIR & REHABILITATION of Civil Engineering Structures based in Bangalore providing execution services PAN India. With over 14 years of experience in the field, Sindhu has delivered a multitude of projects in close collaboration with Structural Consultants, PMCs, Project Managers, Project Heads, and GM-Projects. She is highly skilled in managing contracts, complex projects, and personnel management and has shouldered the responsibilities and reputation of being Quality and Customer focused in the field of Construction Engineering.

She has managed Engineering Teams, Project Engineers, Workmen, and Supply Chains effectively and has delivered 60+ projects. She is a highly confident, open-minded, constant learner and determined to lead challenging projects.