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How long have you been working and what is your current job?

I have been in the built environment for 13 years. After graduating, I worked in building research before moving into a design management role nine years ago.

My current role is quite varied, but in essence I work with the design consultants to ensure that a project can be built. A large part of my role is liaising with various specialists, client teams, statutory bodies, site managers and quantity surveyors. I need to ensure that the designs we are developing are issued on time, financially viable, buildable, and in line with regulations and the client’s expectations.

What were your initial career ambitions? (Would your 16-year-old self be surprised at what you’re doing now?)

I always wanted to work in construction but didn’t anticipate working on-site –16-year-old me didn’t even know my role existed! But I don’t think she would have been surprised at what I’m currently doing.

The job requires a blend of spatial awareness and technical knowledge, which have always been strengths of mine.

Who or what helped you to get to where you are today?

My parents brought me up to believe in my abilities. I was really interested in art and specifically architecture, but my maths and physics teachers encouraged me to look at engineering as a career option. Thankfully, I was able to study a dual honours degree at Sheffield University in both architecture and structural engineering, which has given me a wonderful understanding of how to manage multidisciplinary teams and interests.

Did your choice of subjects/qualifications in school/education help or hinder your ability to get a job in the sector?

I have found that there are a lot of trained architects and architectural technicians in design management. The engineering element of my education has helped me to stand out in design management roles.

Have you had to overcome any barriers to get where you are today?

Throughout my career, I have been lucky to have the support of my friends, family and colleagues. One of the hardest challenges in my career was understanding where I could best use my skill-set after choosing to change my career direction nine years ago. There are so many roles in this industry that are not well known.

What are the best and the hardest parts of your job?

There is nothing more rewarding than walking past a previous project and knowing that you had a pivotal role in its construction. There aren’t many jobs where you can see your hard work materialising in front of your eyes!

Construction drawings are the foundation of the project and bear a lot of responsibility; an error in one drawing can be repeated hundreds of times on site.

What do you know now about the industry that you wish you had known when you were at school?

Communication skills are incredibly important in the industry, but particularly in main contractor work! We have very diverse teams with varying levels of technical knowledge, experience and interest in the project. It is so important to know how to convey important and useful information.

As a new starter, what most surprised you about the industry?

I was surprised at how many specialists are involved in creating various elements of a design. The different designers working on a project can range from ecology consultants to pre-cast concrete stair designers. This makes my role incredibly interesting, but can add further complexities in how to manage the overall project design effectively.

What advice would you give someone coming through the school system now about choosing a construction-related career?

Try to find a role that reflects your strongest skills, but remember that you are not tied to the role you apply for straight out of school. Experience in the sector is highly transferrable and some brilliant site managers I have worked with had previously worked in a trade.

What one thing would you change to make it easier for someone to find the right career in the sector?

We need to enable more work experience opportunities on site for those thinking about choosing the sector, so they can see how the different roles interact.