A career in the construction and property development sector could see you participating in building projects while employed by a commercial, industrial or residential property organisation. Alternatively, you may specialise in property valuation, construction oversight, project management, surveyance work, or a range of other processes including: asbestos removal, fire safety, zoning approvals, working on heritage properties, and managing licenses for electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, and other tradesmen who work on building sites.
Within Australia, many graduates intent on working within the construction and property services sector choose to apply for graduate programs at larger firms such as AECOM, Multiplex, Laing O’Rourke, Lendlease and Stockland. However, there are many paths into the construction industry, and, depending on how you’d like to specialise, you may find it more gratifying to work for a smaller company or even a specialist contractor (for example, one that focuses on surveyance work).
While it’s true that many specialised roles within such organisations require a background in engineering, others, such as project management and construction oversight, draw on the more generic skills that a law graduate can be relied upon to possess. These include an ability to master complex processes, work within large teams, liaise with multiple stakeholders, and communicate effectively. Stakeholder management is an important aspect of construction, so graduates who possess strong communication skills – as many law graduates do – are held in particularly high regard.
The average starting salary for entry-level graduates in the Australian construction and property services sector is $66,000 per annum. They generally work around 46 hours a week.