Tell us about your journey so far in this industry
I’m 24 years old and I live in Perth, Western Australia. I’m currently going into my last year of my construction management degree (at Curtin University), which is pretty exciting but also very daunting.
So far most of my experience in the industry has been in quantity surveying, where I’m a cadet and have been juggling my studies while working four days a week (for Woodside Energy). I love going on site and liaising with the contractor, client and other consultants – you get to learn so much about the industry by just asking questions.
You were quite vocal at the Members’ Forum in Toronto last year about “the old boys’ club”. For anyone who wasn’t there can you please share your views?
I think due to the nature of the construction industry previously being viewed as a male-only industry has made it an “old boys’ club”, with no offence meant at all by that statement! Nonetheless, it can also make it an industry that women don’t feel 100% comfortable in as it isn’t as common to see a woman on a construction site.
At the Members’ Forum I met so many great members who always commented that some of the best mentors or professionals they know in the industry are women which is great, however it shouldn’t come as a surprise! I think that while promoting women to join the construction industry is great, for me, I feel more pressure to prove myself to be considered a construction professional rather than just a woman in construction.
I think that in order to move forward, women in construction shouldn’t be talked about as a different entity within the industry but just as construction professionals.
What are your career ambitions?
I chose the construction industry because of its influence and importance all over the world. I love to travel, and I first fell in love with architecture rather than construction, but soon found out after a few years of an architecture degree that I’m more interested in the construction side of buildings.
I would love the chance to travel while working in the industry to experience different methods and considerations for construction and its methods. But for now, I’m just focusing on finding a good graduate programme for next year – so, baby steps to start with.
How do you spend your spare time?
I like to go to the beach, or when I have the time I like to go camping with my boyfriend and my dog, Jed, around Perth.
