Jamie Harris speaks to professionals across the sector who have changed disciplines
Unless someone particularly wants to become a vet or a doctor, a lawyer or an astronaut, it can be hard for young people to figure out what they want to be when they “grow up”. Many of us will find our passion for work much later in life. While working in one field, we may come across another role that is ultimately perfect for us, and look to make a move into that career as and when we can.
Building has spoken with a number of people in construction who have made a move across built environment disciplines. The construction sector is so broad that even changing roles within the industry can involve a significant career change, with new challenges, skills and qualifications to take on. But it is certainly possible, as these individuals’ stories show.
From plant hire desk to site supervisor
Meg Bailey, 23, trainee site supervisor, FM Conway
Background
I originally worked on the plant hire desk at FM Conway, managing the deployment of the business’ vehicles and equipment to its live sites. My role gave me a flavour of what life on site was like through speaking to teams on the phone and weekly site visits. The more I got to know the people and understand their roles, the more I felt it was something I could really get into. I was looking for the next challenge in my career and last year mentioned to colleagues that working on site was an aspiration. The human resources team took me at my word and before I knew it they had offered me a place on the company’s supervisor training scheme.
What was the biggest culture shock or change?
I already had a good idea of what being a supervisor entailed from my time on the plant desk. What surprised me was the different ways in which people reacted to my new role. I thought I might face some negativity from colleagues on site as a female supervisor, but in fact they’ve been hugely supportive.
What transferable skills have you deployed?
Being able to take the problem-solving aspect of working on the hire desk into supervising has been a great advantage. Both roles are fast-paced and require quick and effective decision-making based on the information you have to hand – whether it’s working out the most efficient way to get equipment to a project team or assessing the safest and most productive approach for delivering a job.
What new skills have you picked up?
I’m always learning about the technical aspects of different projects. I’ve also become a better listener. When you’re presented with a challenge on site, it’s important to listen to different ideas and build on the experience you have within your team. You then take that collective input and assess the best way forward for the project based on your own knowledge.
What are your future plans?
One of my main motivations is to encourage others to join the industry – speaking to young people about why I chose construction – they’re always surprised to see a women in the industry. I want to get as qualified and experienced as I can, so I’m absorbing as much information as possible. Ultimately, my aim is to be a contracts manager by 30.
From architect to site manager
Vanessa Okeowo, 26, graduate construction manager, Redrow
Background
Having won a design competition aged 13 for a building next to St Paul’s Cathedral, I had the opportunity to visit Land Securities’ offices. It was incredible to have the opportunity to speak to architects and see the drawings and models that were being produced. I knew right then that I wanted to study architecture. But I found that I was spending a lot of time doing drawings and it wasn’t testing me enough. I had opportunities to meet construction managers during my time at the practice and felt that this role would suit me as it incorporates logical thinking, leadership and managerial qualities with the skills I have from my architecture degree. Nine months ago, I switched.
What was the biggest culture shock or change?
The main difference between working in an office and an on-site environment is time. Working on a design in an office, a lot of time is spent contemplating design decisions and discussing the effect of these decisions on the end-user. Good design demands this level of attention and, as a result, a lot of time is given to the process. I soon found out that sometimes those designs do not function well technically on site. When this happens, due to build schedules and programmes, being able to think quickly and find solutions is vital to being productive. This process happens quickly: I discover a problem and I have to get on the phone or the keyboard as fast as possible to resolve it so it doesn’t have a negative impact on the build programme. Time on site is fast and relentless and this is one of the reasons I enjoy my job the most.
What transferable skills have you deployed?
Designing architecture is a process that calls for attention to detail and organisation. During my years at university, and then in practice, I was made to question everything, every design decision, and make those decisions count towards making the user’s experience of the architecture a positive one.
What new skills have you picked up?
Working on this extensive portfolio in addition to my daily work has been a lesson in time management. I have become far more responsible in how I divide my time as it has been necessary for me to thrive in both those areas. I don’t know if confidence is a skill, but I’ve gained plenty of that since the onset of this programme.
What are your future plans?
I see myself venturing into technical design. I feel my background and the skills I’ve amassed on site will make an impressive combination in our technical design team.
From civil engineer to software product development
Barrie Diffin, 36, Head of Fulcrum, Wilson James
Background
My background is as a chartered civil engineer. I initially joined the industry at Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners, now Jacobs. My speciality was in geotechnical engineering and project management, working on a range of projects. This culminated in tackling a major 3D FLAC modelling project for Heathrow Terminal 2’s grade-separated road that crosses over the top of the Piccadilly underground line.
What was the biggest culture shock or change?
The impetus for me to change roles was when the recession hit the consultancy sector. The only work available was writing calculations, which was not satisfying. An opportunity to get involved with the co-ordination, contract administration and delivery of services at Heathrow arose with Wilson James in 2011. After 18 months in this role, it was clear there was a need for an IT solution to the logistics challenges in this unique construction and logistical environment and I was given an opportunity to provide it. This became the Fulcrum project.
What transferable skills have you deployed?
The biggest change in the transition from an engineering background to a data and technology focus was the scale of the problem that Fulcrum needed to address: quantifying behaviour and actions, and converting existing logistics practices into a workable system. And all incorporating flexibility and rigour in both problem solving and design.
What new skills have you picked up?
Many skills from my previous life transferred to my new role. Both required breaking down complex problems in small steps with practical applications, and an appreciation for quality and quantity of data. There was much to learn, however, especially a lean approach to continuous improvement and a totally new approach to information analysis.
What are your future plans?
My ambition would be to lead an optimisation and analytics organisation with a range of products and tools that deliver change and value to all levels of the supply chain.
From stonemason to architect
Andrew Sanders, 32, senior architectural technologist, MSMR Architects
Background
I went straight into a stonemasonry apprenticeship after school. I worked on site in the stonemasonry industry for eight years until I decided I wanted to pursue a degree. Architecture was a natural choice as construction was all I knew. In the absence of A-levels, I joined as a mature student by submitting a portfolio.
What was the biggest culture shock or change?
The biggest realisation was the amount of knowledge an architect needs, whether that’s historical knowledge, planning, construction, regulations, design or detailing – the list goes on. Stonemasonry is an interesting subject and a beautiful craft but you’re only focused on one niche aspect of architecture.
What transferable skills have you deployed?
From working on site to becoming an architect has actually given me an understanding of the practicalities of how things fit together. I feel I have a good view of projects from both perspectives. As a stonemason on site, I had worked with architects and professionals for a long time – I understood the language and how each role fits into a project. I believe working on site gave me practical knowledge of how things are put together, along with the sequencing of details and construction. I feel confident communicating with site too. Day-to-day site queries are important for an architect; it’s important the delivery team has confidence in your drawings and details.
What new skills have you picked up?
Collaboration is key in architecture, both with your peers within the practice and also with external design teams, and on site with the contractor and engineers. More generally, there is a more formal level of professionalism or set of rules that you learn when you work in an office environment.
What are your future plans?
After working on new-build estate regeneration projects for a few years, the attraction of working on historical buildings again drew me to my current company, MSMR Architects. I’m now working on the Royal Norwegian Embassy building in Kensington, west London.
Read more profiles here, including:
Daniel Cosgrove, Aecom – from mechanical engineer to BIM manager
Duncan Walters, Eckersley O’Callaghan – from steel fabricator to structural engineer
Sam Hare, Naismiths – from on-site carpenter to project manager
Sean Banks, John Rowan and Partners – from site storeman to asbestos compliance manager
And now for something completely different …
Kate McAdam, Morgan Sindall - from soprano to site manager
No comments yet