The assistant framework manager at SCF Hampshire Council on choosing a construction career, Tomorrow’s Leaders, and changing perceptions in the industry.
What made you choose a career in construction? What else might you have done?
Since I was a child, I had a keen interest in construction. I spent hours watching construction activity in the adjacent space through our home window.
I used to love seeing construction sites through the bus window during commute to school, and my art and design skills led my family to introduce me to Lego blocks. This motivated me to study formally architecture and construction project management.
I really liked working as a part-time bartender at the Manchester United FC stadium during my master’s so, if I had to choose a career other than construction, I probably would have gone with hotel management or event management.
You are a very proactive member of Tomorrow’s Leaders (TL) in your region. What motivates you to do that?
I have been interacting with CIOB in numerous ways which include attending forums, participating in student challenges and attending networking events. This motivated me to join TL as a champion and a chance to give back to the young construction community.
What are your career ambitions?
My career vision is to keep constantly learning in project delivery from conception through project execution to handover. I aspire to learn and grow in the domain of delivery or design management of a construction project.
Apart from that, I have a personal goal to work towards making the construction industry accessible to young people.
What change would you like to see in the industry?
The industry has a perception that only people with prior exposure to the industry survive in the industry and I think we need to actively work towards changing this narrative.
As a first-generation construction industry professional, I have seen this closely. The efforts from the industry should go above and beyond T-level initiatives and graduate schemes.
How do you spend your free time?
I am an amateur wildlife enthusiast, photographer and trekker. For the past few months, I have been frequently visiting a nest of peregrine falcons. The nest had juvenile falcons, and I was able to see them grow.
