What inspired you to pursue a career in the construction industry?
The idea of having a tangible outcome to show for all your hard work was also a big draw card. When I started, there were very few females in the industry. Initially, this posed some mental challenges for me but I pushed through as the opportunity to be part of something from the ground up excited me.

When did you join Higgins?
I joined Higgins in October 2017, as green as they come!

How would you describe the culture at Higgins and where do you fit in?
The culture here has always been fun, fairly relaxed and easy going, we’re like a family. There’s always lots of laughing (but that might just be me with the 4:00pm giggles).  

What do you enjoy most about working at Higgins?
The people. I’m lucky to have worked closely with my Project Manager and Site Manager since the day I stated, so for me, it’s the team I get to work with every day. They’ve shared their knowledge and given me plenty of opportunities to further my development which keeps me engaged in my role. When you look at our wider team (amongst the endless joking around) we all have each other’s backs and encourage the best from one another. It really is like coming to work with your mates every day.   

Describe a day life in the life as a Higgins CA?
No day is ever the same! Some days I’ll be in the office grinding away on the computer, other times, I’ll be out on site working through issues and solutions with our site teams and subcontractors. Some days are a mixture of both. One thing is always certain though - there’s never time to ever get bored.  

In your opinion, what are the most important qualities/attributes of a CA and how do you cultivate those qualities in your everyday role?
Good time management is obviously crucial, but I believe the most important quality is being a people person. To run a project successfully, you need to work in with many different personality types. The ability to read the people you’re working with and adapt your communication and management style as needed is paramount, whether you’re working with clients, consultants, subcontractors, or your internal team members. Aside from people skills, learning when to let go and not stress over the small things is also a big one for me.

In your opinion, what makes a project successful?
There are many key factors that play a crucial role - every project will have unique nuances and hurdles to be faced. A successful project is really the result of a project team that has worked cohesively, communicated effectively and instilled a collective willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Sometimes that means team members may have to step outside of the realms of their ‘lane’ to achieve the best outcome.  

What keeps you motivated during the tougher projects?
While the tougher projects can be stressful, they give you the opportunity to widen your skillsets and gain knowledge that you will inevitable be able to apply to other jobs in the future. For me personally, it’s taking pride in my work and having a ‘just get the job done’ attitude. I keep coming back to the people at Higgins, but it really is the team that keep you going. That’s not just your project team but everyone in the office who are always more than willing to brainstorm with you and offer up experience or previous solutions. And again, the office humour always helps. “If you don’t laugh you’ll cry,” we always say. 

What’s a secret talent of yours that people don’t really know about?
I don’t think I really have any secret talents… If I had any, you would know about them! Although, I may have discovered a hidden knack for event organisation since helping to steer Higgins’ social committee.  

What’s been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why?
The redevelopment of AdventCare Whitehorse would have to be up there. It was the first job I’d been involved in from start to finish as the sole CA. This was such a challenging project; it ran through COVID, we experienced heavy delays for various other reasons and to top it off, delivering major works within a live aged care environment. It’s been a long haul getting to completion but the relationships we’ve formed throughout have made it a great journey.

Aside from AdventCare, I was recently onsite for the handover of an education project. I got to see the students enjoying the new playground and they commented on their excitement for the new facilities. That was a pretty good feeling, being able to witness the benefits and joy that your hard work is bringing to some very deserving kids.

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve encountered and how did you overcome it?
While there have been many project related challenges, I suppose a more unique challenge for me is working within a male dominated industry. When I was younger, I found sitting in meetings as the only female in a room full of males to be very daunting. I still sometimes struggle in navigating the ‘appropriateness’ of laughing at certain jokes while trying to be taken seriously and viewed equally.

I’ve been very lucky in my experiences; most of our subcontractors, and all the boys at Higgins have never treated me differently. But as a female, there will always be occasions where you’re spoken down to or looked at as though you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve gained more confidence the longer I’ve been in the game, and I’ve learnt not to care. My advice to other young females is to call out inappropriate behaviour when it’s needed but to try to not to let the small things bother you. Don’t be scared to join in with the humour and get amongst the energy on the job site!

Who’s been your biggest mentor and how have they impacted your career?
My Project Manager, Luke Yeend. Like I said earlier, he’s been with me since day one (poor guy had no idea what he was in for). There’s been a few tears but many laughs along the five-year journey. He has always provided me with the opportunity to take the lead on things and be involved in any aspect of the project that I’ve shown interest in. To Luke, no question is ever too dumb - the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask!

Think back to your first day at Higgins and compare it to where you are today… what’s the biggest difference?
On my first day, I was an absolute ‘deer in the headlights’ with no clue what I was doing. I’m sure everyone was quite concerned by Ken’s new hire when I asked what an RFI was… At the beginning I was a bit shy, quiet, and lacking confidence in my ability. If I compare that to now, you can’t keep me quiet!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a career in construction?
Never hesitate to ask questions and soak up all the information and knowledge your colleagues have to offer. Get yourself thrown in the deep end and try to doggy paddle - it’s the best way to learn.