What's your job about?
As a Graduate Cost Manager at Turner & Townsend, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide array of projects. This varies from residential, commercial and education projects across metropolitan Sydney and the wider community. Part of my work involves assisting in undertaking cost plans and post contract work, including progress claims and variations.
What's your background?
I was born and raised in south-west Sydney and graduated from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2018 with a Bachelor of Construction Management & Property. Prior to joining Turner & Townsend, I was working as a Building Cadet for a small contractor in my second year of university. By the beginning of my third year, I joined Turner & Townsend as a Cadet in the cost management department and by the start of 2018, I became a Graduate Cost Manager.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
There are people from all types of backgrounds working at Turner & Townsend, which generates a diverse workplace. Like many occupations, one of the key characteristics that is important, is to have a good attitude and always be willing to learn.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The opportunity to work on large projects and witness it come to life upon completion, knowing I have contributed in some way is satisfying. Construction is everywhere, especially in Sydney, so being able to contribute to the industry, whether it’s costing or other scope of works, is definitely rewarding.
What are the limitations of your job?
I think it definitely helps to be able to remember a lot of the theory learnt at university. Even now, I still find myself looking up particular terms or definitions I learnt back in my first year of studies I’d forgotten. So having a comprehensive understanding of construction terms and processes is definitely beneficial to be able to understand what you’re doing better.
Pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I know it sounds cliché, however go with your gut feeling. As students, we are all looking to find our passion and purpose in life but you don’t need to be able to figure it out straightaway. Be open to trying and striving for new opportunities, and sometimes it’s okay to fail. Not all of us know exactly what we want to do in life. Part of deciding what we want to do is knowing what we don’t want to do because life is about trial and error. The reality is once you start working full time, it won’t always be smooth sailing. But the most important thing to remember is to have a positive attitude, keep going and one day you’ll look back and be grateful for all the opportunities you’ve had (I hope).