On this week’s careers in construction, meet Nono, a Project Manager. Project managers oversee all aspects of the building process, working closely with engineers and architects to develop plans, establish timetables, and determine labor and material costs. They are responsible for ensuring the project is completed on budget and within scope.
1. Why did you choose your career path?
The idea of working in the built environment first came from a film watched. ‘ Three Men and a Baby’ Tom Sellecks character played an architect and would often go to site to review blueprints with the contractor, for some reason at 10 years old I thought that looked appealing. I was then exposed to project management during my placement year at university through a mentor my employer matched me with who was an architect who’d transitioned into Project Management.
2. What did you study in school/university?
My first degree is in Architectural Technology and my Master’s degree is in Construction Commercial Management.
3. What certifications are associated with your career?
There are a number options as associated with my career/ education background available; 1 Chartered Project Manager with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors; 2 Chartered Architectural Technologist with CIAT; 3 Chartered Construction Manager with the Chartered Institute of Building
4. What advice do you have for someone looking to purse this career path?
Never under estimate the importance of soft skills. As a project manager you have to be able to communicate clearly and foster relationships. That requires you to lead and be a team player, a lot of comes down to finding solutions for problems and often you best asset for resolving these are people.