Favourite part of the job?

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1 Amanda Brown Quantity Surveyor I am a Quantity Surveyor in Infrastructure, working on CP5 rail projects. I am involved with a number of activities including applications for payment, management of change control processes, cost reporting comprising of financial analysis, cost management, estimating and cost and sales forecasts. I am also involved with the management of subcontractor accounts including the valuation of applications and variations. HNC & HND Construction BSc Hons Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Management Joined McNicholas in 2016 My favourite part of my job is analysing cost data in an attempt to improve value for money. My favourite part of working in the industry is seeing project teams come together and successfully deliver projects. Keeping up to date with new standards and changes to contract conditions. These changes can alter the way a contract is managed and so it is important everyone is kept up to date when they occur. I never knew what I wanted to do for a career so even though this career chose me, I am lucky enough to enjoy what I do. The variety of work, locations, projects, no two days are the same. I can never guess what I might be doing from day to day but I would like to learn more about the other roles involved with project delivery and also explore more work sites. Be prepared. Working in a male dominated environment is a choice and even though there are more women coming into the industry as time goes on, I feel that working with men requires thick skin and more importantly a smile.

2 Amy Gaughan Graduate Civil Engineer I m currently working as part of the Alliance team for UKPN, where I am tasked with creating a framework contract level Quality Management Plan (QMP), a template QMP for use on each and every Work Package Order (WPO) contract and a suite of Inspection Test Plans (ITP) for the range and scope of works envisaged. Once this is complete I will be helping to implement this on site, and carrying out an audit to ensure it s been used correctly. I have also been carrying out site visits in order to help me see how these processes are undertaken in practice. BEng Civil Engineering (Hons) Joined McNicholas in 2015 Getting muddy on site! Going to new sites, learning about new jobs, different processes and meeting new people. Adjusting to a new department as graduates change their placements every 3-6 months you have to get used to different departments ways of working! But you soon find your feet! My cousin is a civil engineer, and when completing my A levels (maths, physics and French) I wasn t really sure what I wanted to do. I asked my cousin what his job was like, it sounded interesting and I thought I can do that! The opportunity to see projects develop, visit different sites, being able to see something in design form be implemented in a physical capacity. Being part of the Innovation Group gives me the opportunity to think outside of my daily routine, and find ways to improve the way we do things as a company. Whether this is a new technology that could be trialled on site, or simply an easier way to carry out a tried and tested process it gives me the power to make a difference. And finally, finding PPE that fitted me (struggles of a 5ft woman in construction)! In the near future, I plan to become a Chartered Civil Engineer. Eventually I d like further my operational knowledge and become a Project Manager, maybe one day a Director! Go for it! Despite it being a male dominated industry, women are very well supported and the more women who join the industry the less male dominated it ll be! Don t be afraid to ask questions, or of a challenge! Do you get involved with any women in construction events / campaigns etc? No, although I am applying to be a STEMnet ambassador where those who work/study within STEM areas can give talks and encourage more young people to consider a career within the STEM industries.

3 Jo Adetayo Assistant Project Engineer It varies week by week but at the moment, I m currently finishing off the Health and Safety Files for two projects that I ve been working on; High Voltage (HV) Feeders and ETE PSE (Electrified Track Equipment Power Supply Enhancement) Upgrade. I ve previously been involved in creating take-offs, creating Traffic Management plans and writing project plans. MEng Civil Engineering Joined McNicholas in 2013 Continually developing my knowledge. There s a lot I ve learnt in the last 7 months since completing my Graduate Scheme! I also work with a great team and enjoy the interaction with clients and other contractors. Getting things planned when relying on other people can be challenging! Waiting can be frustrating but we always get there in the end. Self-preservation and wanting answers to questions like, how do bridges stay up, how is that dam supporting that much water, as well as my fascination with the built environment and how various facets come together to produce the desired outcome, led me to a career in Engineering. In my first attempt, completing the H&S File before the contract completion date, submitting the asbuilt drawings with no issues or comments from National Records Group. It pleasantly surprised quite a few people. More responsibility, I think I m ready for it. Also completing my Development Objectives and becoming Chartered. Join! It s really interesting and you learn a lot as you go along, which builds up both your competencies and confidence. It s still a man s world, but there s recently been a development in welcoming and appreciating female engineers.

4 Kasia Pecak Assistant Quantity Surveyor Producing and issuing Sub-Contract orders, assessing applications for payment, monitoring project costs, Cost Value Reconciliations (CVR), supporting the Quantity Surveyor in the management the day to day cost control. Attending site as I gain a better understanding of the job and see how the work s being done. Working towards a BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management degree Joined McNicholas in 2009 Understanding contract documents, English is not my first language therefore it is sometimes proves difficult with the translation. I originally wanted to become archaeologist as I have always been interested in ancient monuments, instead I have ended up in construction creating new monuments for future archaeologists! University! It boosted my confidence, gave me different view of the construction industry, it has improved my English and I ve discovered skills I didn t think I had. I ve got another 3 years of studying and my goal is to achieve a 1 st class degree. After this I want to become Chartered and after that who knows? It s tough and challenging, it s still mainly a man s world but it can be very rewarding as well. Every week when I go to University I stop at Baker Street Station, which was one of the projects I was involved in, I can see the results of our Team s hard work and feel a huge sense of accomplishment. Do you get involved with any women in construction events / campaigns etc? Unfortunately not, due to lack of time. Having a family, full time job and part time study keeps me quite occupied!

5 Sandra Smith Construction Manager Planning works, cost forecasting, access planning, possession management, managing heath & safety, writing method statements, work package plans, task briefings, construction phase plan etc, and managing the labour, plant and materials requirements throughout construction phase. HND Civil Engineering, ENKa Surveying, First Aid, PTS, HVC, LUL Access, DLR Access Joined McNicholas in 2013 Planning our possessions there are huge restraints involved with planning works and access into a 12 or 26 hour window of opportunity. I enjoy the challenge! Problem solving is both the most challenging and interesting part of any job. Being able to use experience and training to overcome construction issues and time constraints, pre-planning up to 18 months in advance to utilise small windows of opportunity during 26 hour possessions and bring together teams, plant and materials in a safe planned manner is very rewarding when we achieve our goals. I am a Surveyor/Engineer by trade, I started by providing technical details, levels, co-ordinates interpreting design practically to teams from anything from 5 to 80 operatives a day. I went into surveying as I quite enjoyed the mathematical element (sadly enough!) combined with a fairly hands on and practical environment I progressed up through to management level as I enjoyed being able to build a programme and push a project from project inception to completion. Most memorable achievement was removing a single track bridge and replacing it with a 2 track bridge in a 72 hour possession on the Evergreen 3 project from Marylebone to Birmingham line speed upgrade programme in Continue successfully delivering infrastructure projects. Construction offers a challenging, ever changing career and no project is ever the same.