A Graduate’s Journey into the construction industry and Unexpected Career Growth as a joinery Estimator at Pace Interiors.

What is your current role, and what led you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

I’m currently working as a Document Controller and Office Administrator in our London office. My job involves helping various staff and departments with whatever they need, making sure the office runs smoothly. I studied events and festival management at university and initially took a job in a facilities management company just to start earning money after finishing university. Then when COVID-19 hit, finding a full-time job became really tough because people weren’t hiring as many graduates. I felt stuck and unsure about my career path, so took a job in facilities management for a while. Eventually, I found a position as a Project Administrator with an exhibition stand manufacturer. I enjoyed the work there, but I wanted something more challenging with better opportunities for growth, which led me to my current role.

Can you share the most interesting thing you have learned through the projects you have worked on? What key insights did you gain from that experience?

I don’t get too involved in specific projects, but I handle the admin tasks across most of them, which means I don’t always see the design and manufacturing details. However, I do get to help the design team with submitting samples and mock-ups to our clients for new jobs, which is pretty interesting. One of the most exciting things I’ve learned is implementing a new project management program. This has helped our projects run more smoothly and has been introduced to other departments as well. I’ve also helped the estimating team with pricing door packages, and now I have been offered a chance to do a commercial management postgraduate course. Over the next year, I’ll be getting more involved in estimating, learning the ropes from the team, and through training courses to develop my knowledge. 

What are some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you have faced while working in a male-dominated industry? How have you navigated and embraced those challenges?

Being young and new to the construction industry, it was tough at first to be taken seriously by people who’ve been in the industry for a long time. But slowly, I’ve started to make my mark and gain respect as my knowledge of the industry has grown. In a previous job, I worked in an office with only one other woman, and when she left, I felt pretty isolated and I felt like I needed the work to be a little more challenging. Now, at Pace Interiors in my current role, I work alongside more women and feel more supported by both my male and female colleagues. This has made a huge difference in my confidence and job satisfaction.

In your opinion, what strategies could an organization implement to enhance their recruiting efforts and attract more women into the construction industry, specifically in roles like document control and estimating?

I think university career fairs are a great way to reach women at the start of their careers. So many skills learned at university can be transferred to the construction industry. Offering year-in-industry roles for positions like quantity surveyors, estimators, marketers, accountants, project managers, and CAD designers could also help a lot. This would open up the construction industry to people who aren’t sure where to take their career or don’t know what opportunities are available within the industry.

Do you see yourself continuing in the construction industry? Do you have aspirations to move into other roles or industries in the future?

For now, I definitely see myself staying in the construction industry. There are so many opportunities for career progression at my current company, which I didn’t expect when I started. As I gain more experience in estimating, it might open doors to other roles or even other industries in the future. But right now, I’m focused on my development here and completing courses that could lead to new roles within different departments. The construction industry has so much to offer, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.