Construction: Case studies

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Martin, regional business development manager

What degree did you study?

I graduated from Loughborough University with a BEng in Civil Engineering (with an industrial placement year).

Where are you working now and how did you reach this point in your career?

I am now a regional business development manager for Carillion plc. In a nutshell, I create a future pipeline of work for the company by ensuring Carillion gets invited onto tender lists. I do this by building relationships with key customers in order to gain an insight into their future construction projects and to ensure that we are able to offer a competitive tender. This role is most enjoyable: I get to travel and meet new people every day whilst enhancing my broader understanding of the industry.

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I have reached this level of seniority in my career fairly quickly compared with other employment sectors. This is partly due to the breadth of opportunities available within construction and partly due to my flexibility. Throughout my career I have been willing to be flexible, both professionally and geographically. I started off as a graduate engineer within the rail sector. I then became project manager before switching to road contracting. I worked my way up through management, including some time in facilities management. As the commercial side of construction fascinates me, I made the decision early on to branch away from a technical engineering career path towards general management.

Why should new graduates consider entering construction?

Construction is a unique industry with endless career pathways. Graduates interested in running a business should consider construction because, in addition to the technical routes, you also have the option of progressing through project and people management roles and/or learning how to operate commercially by developing or running the commercial side of a company.

What would be the highlight of your future career?

I am already working for my ideal company! Carillion takes the professional development of its staff very seriously; its sustainability model is being rolled out across the sector and it always ranks highly in the corporate social responsibility index. Job-wise I would love the challenge of managing one of its business units. My advice to new graduates would be: if you want to do well in construction, go for the jobs that appear challenging, to get yourself noticed and applauded by senior management.

Henry, divisional director

Who do you work for?

I am a divisional director (private sector) for Mouchel Parkman Management Services (formerly Hornagold and Hills Management Consultancy).

What does your role entail?

I currently manage a small team of project managers in the banking sector and assist in the running of a 20-strong business unit working in the private sector. The aim of my role is to build client relationships and win work, as well as performing some fee-earning work. I am responsible for providing at least one third of our business unit’s £2million budgeted fee income this financial year.

What are your views on the advantages of working within construction?

In my view, DIY doesn't seem so daunting: you've seen it done properly, so you just have to copy the talented tradesmen! On a more global scale, construction allows you to work on some of the most prestigious projects in the country, or even the world! Another plus is that if you are working on a project, your output can be measured by what grows outside your window or on your site. Your actions affect building rates: get it right and you help to engineer progression! What's more, later in life you will have the satisfaction of being able to drive round England's major cities boring your children ridged with tales of 'I built that'.

You mentioned working overseas: is it your opinion that recent graduates take such opportunities?

Definitely! Travel whilst you don't have family commitments! I suggest you commit your first ten years to working as hard as you can, climbing the promotional ladder and building your professional reputation.

What advice would you offer to graduates considering entering construction?

My view is that if you are prepared to start from the bottom and work hard to gain early responsibility for a good salary, then construction is for you. You will generally get the opportunity within your career to work in most sectors and if you go in with a can-do, will-do attitude, the sky is your limit, so to speak!

Edward, engineering consultant

How is your job related to construction?

I run my own engineering consultancy. Much of the work involves consultancy for construction-related engineering projects, dealing with a range of firms from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to multinationals such as BP. Every project is different, but the areas I specialise in include health and safety management, project management and construction implementation.

What do you like most and least about consultancy?

I love running my own business. I am able to use my specialist knowledge to add value to organisations. My advice not only improves companies’ current practices, but also enhances their portfolio of successful, sustainable construction work which in turn enables them to win new business.

What can be frustrating, however, is the fact that although most clients listen, not all are willing to take on board the consultancy given! This is especially the case where smaller organisations are concerned and where, for example, safety is not given the same priority as in larger organisations.

How have you gained this knowledge and how do you keep up to date?

I have been very fortunate. Having worked for 27 years in the petrochemical industry with large ‘blue chip’ companies including BP, I underwent an incredible amount of technical and specialist training and continuing professional development (CPD) in various senior roles, including project management, maintenance services and turnarounds, health and safety and operations. I seized opportunities as they occurred in order to build on my portfolio of knowledge.

As a chartered member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) I have to ensure my regulatory and legislative knowledge is kept up to date. I maintain a portfolio of professional evidence and every two years this gets inspected by IOSH.

What advice would you give to graduates interested in becoming consultants?

Don’t underestimate the importance of being a specialist in your own engineering discipline and then using this specialist knowledge as a platform to broaden your knowledge base. Knowledge and experience count for everything, especially in the construction industry where a solid practical and pragmatic approach is required. Aim to be the best. Make it your goal to learn everything possible there is to know in your specialism. Also, acknowledge the limits of your competence. This way you will earn respect, trust and, eventually, industry recognition.