What is your current job?

Assistant Estimator

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

A clarinet player

Describe a typical day in your current job

A typical day in estimating can involve site visits to assess a job, analysing construction contracts, coordination with other departments to prepare a tender, preparing bills of quantities and measuring quantities for take-offs.

Why did you choose construction as a career?

When studying for my first degree in teaching, I did several renovations while moving up the property ladder. I realised that this was where my interest was, and that construction fascinated me. Although a sideways step and another stint at university, the job prospects seemed worth the risk. I took a leap of faith, enrolled in the BSc Quantity Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University, and secured the job as a trainee estimator in my 2nd year of studies and sponsorship for the rest of my time at university. I have never looked back.

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

The reservations I had in joining the industry were more based on my worries of people having pre-conceptions about my ability to do the job because I had young children to look after or had started on a different career path. However, I have since realised how hard I work, and my organisational skills are commended rather than judged.

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

Being a woman in construction can have challenges however can also be an advantage. I have had opportunities through courses run by the Caledonian and Napier University, EQUATE Scotland and the Construction Innovation Factory in Hamilton and taken part in Constructionarium, Passivhaus for Contractors, STEM events and career development training.

What is the favourite part of your job?

Every day is different and brings something new to learn. My favourite part being an assistant estimator is working with the team to put together a tender and thinking about how the project will be delivered on-site. There is such a variety of skills and expertise needed in construction. Each department or trade has its way of doing things, and the estimator needs to understand and capture this in a price.

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

The biggest surprise in joining the construction industry is discovering how much knowledge and understanding is needed to be an estimator and increasingly how much less information is given at the tender stage. A tender is a team effort from construction technology and contracts to coordination with the operations team and proposals department.

How does the business make your workplace diverse?

The company have a diverse range of staff with differing backgrounds and experiences. We are part of the 5% club and have graduate schemes and apprentices, which means we’re embracing a young workforce as well.

How does the business make your workplace inclusive?

The business are inclusive employers as, despite background or circumstance, employees are given a chance to thrive.

How does the business support your training and development to achieve your goals?

My manager fully encourages my engagement with courses, SVQ training, university and RICS chartership. Through team support and coaching, this has helped me to develop my skills and knowledge of the industry.

How does the business support your work life balance?

To support work-life balance, my manager allows flexibility. This, in turn, means that there is good morale in the team and increases motivation.

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

I would recommend a career in construction to anyone looking for a challenge. Construction is continuously evolving through modern methods of construction, new construction techniques, technology, and new forms of contracts. As a result, there will always be things to learn, and each project is unique.

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

If construction interests you, don’t be put off by gender-related stigma, there are many different roles and supportive training programmes.