What is your current job?

Assistant Quantity Surveyor

What job did you want to do when you were younger?

When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. Then later on when I was 17 and applying for University, I wanted to be in the police.

Describe a typical day in your current job

Calls with the rest of team; catch-up’s etc. Liaising with subcontractors, placing orders and processing invoices. Pricing new projects and submitting to clients for approval to proceed. Managing project CVR’s to review value versus cost to determine our margin and lots more… Never a dull day.

Why did you choose construction as a career?

Honestly, I never set out to pursue a career in Construction originally. But once I joined Morris & Spottiswood and began to understand more about the industry and the potential opportunities that the industry creates, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

Did you have any reservations or concerns about joining the industry as a woman? Have these changed?

I definitely had reservations at first. I think even today people perceive Construction to be very male dominated and whilst statistically yes, there are more men than women working within the industry, the misconception that ‘Construction is for Boys’ is definitely changing.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge of being a woman working within construction?

I still feel that although the industry is making great strides to try and eliminate the stereotypes and encourage women into the professions, it can still be a challenge working predominately with a male workforce. I am now the only female QS working on my Framework, which although at times it can be somewhat daunting, it is a great challenge and one I love being a part of.

What is the favourite part of your job?

One of the favourite things about my job is that each day is different as there are so many different aspects within my role. No day is the same and I am always learning new ways of doing things and developing my current skillset.

What’s been the biggest surprise since joining the construction industry?

One of the biggest surprises for me since joining the Industry is learning how many different roles and responsibilities there are within. Admittedly I used to believe that Construction was mainly made up of those who worked on site, but that is only half of the story. There are so many varied roles that make up this industry; from Surveyors to Contracts Managers, Architects, Programmers, Designers, Buyers, Health & Safety representatives, etc. There is such a vast range of job roles that play a huge part in our Industry and I was surprised at just how many there are. There is something for everyone.

Would you recommend a career in construction to women? Why?

I would 100% recommend a career in Construction to women. You will be working in a job that essentially is helping other people and when a project is finished and you have that end result, it makes you feel proud of what you achieved and been a part of.

Do you have any advice to any woman who is currently thinking about coming into the construction industry?

My advice would be talk to someone involved in the Industry already and if it is something you want to pursue, go for it! You have just as much to offer as the men in the industry, so don’t let the idea that the industry is predominately male put you off. Construction is a far more welcoming industry than people believe it to be. And good luck!