Age 28
Where are you based at the moment (who do you work for)?
I am currently based in Newry, Northern Ireland, UK, working for MJM Marine limited who specialise in managing projects relating to interior marine fitouts on the world’s biggest Cruise ships.
In what year did you complete your honours degree?
I did not complete my Honours degree. I successfully completed the BSc in Construction Studies degree in 2019 at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth and commenced with the Honours degree on a distance learning programme over a course of 2 years. I completed the first year successfully, but after that, the workload became too much due to work and study at the same time.
What path did you follow before ending up with your current company?
In 2020 I commenced work as a Junior Site Engineer for GVK-Siya Zama contractors on two multi-million Rand projects in East London, South Africa (Royal Buffalo Hospital & Draeger Manufacturing Facility, IDZ). After a year with the company, I was promoted to Junior Site Manager in 2021 and successfully handed over my first project as the sole Site Manager.
I accepted a new opportunity offered by Alpha Omega Pty Ltd in George, Western Cape as a Senior Site Manager, completing a couple of small projects and a prestige upmarket multi-million-rand apartment building called Le-Jardin in 2022-2023.
In March 2023, I received an opportunity to commence work for a leading construction company in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean. I sold everything that I own to fund the relocation to the Caribbean and two weeks after the interview, I was on a plane to Barbados. I started off as a Site Manager successfully completing a very large residential apartment project (approximately US$350 million) which was 2 years behind schedule, and I got moved to start a new project renovating the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. I was appointed as a Project Manager, Site Manager, and Foreman on the project, and successfully completed the project on time and within budget.
I signed a contract with MJM Marine in Northern Ireland in October 2023 and arrived in January 2024 commencing work as an Assistant Contracts Manager, managing projects relating to cruise ship interior fitouts.
What is your current position and what does the role entail?
I am employed at a distinguished marine outfitting company where I serve as an Assistant Contracts Manager. In this role I oversee interior fitout projects on cruise ships worth multi-million pounds, managing tasks throughout the project lifecycle stages by executing management duties in the initial survey and tender submission, concept design, procurement, project execution, and project handover in both dry- and wet-docks, or sometimes in-service scenarios. The nature of my work demands specialised technical experience to ensure the precise execution of construction works to the required quality and health and safety standards.
What advice would you give a current construction management student?
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Do not give up halfway through the course, finish it and get the degree behind your name. Depending on your drive and motivation, this can be very rewarding;
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You will not get anywhere in this industry without experience. Experience is key;
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Give up holidays and weekends and go work for contractors for little / no-remuneration as an intern construction student. This will not only provide you with early experience, but also ‘opens doors’ for future work. Not only do you need this, but contractors need you;
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‘Past papers do not teach you how to do your job as a manager’;
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Learn with your eyes and ears. There are people in lower-level positions that have more experience than project managers and you can learn the world from them;
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Be willing to give up most Saturdays and Sundays. Programme dates are scheduled tighter, and projects priced at lower profit margins forcing one manager to do the job of two, which requires weekend work and lots of dedication, and
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Build as many contacts as you progress in your career. They are the ones that open the doors for you.
What was your favourite module?
I would say Structures, and Construction Management.
Who was your favourite lecturer?
Katharina, the presenter of Structures.
What are your plans for the next 5 to 10 years?
My original five-year plan was to get to the United Kingdom (UK), or Australia, or New Zealand. Hence, I used Barbados as a steppingstone to increase my savings, and to identify future work and save to fund future visa and relocation costs. The plan worked, and I am in the UK building a life here.
My current five-year plan is to reflect longevity on my CV, gain maximum marine construction experience, and to acquire a UK Passport by living in Northern Ireland for five years. I am planning on raising a family, building a life here as the cost of living is cheap compared to anywhere else in the world.
I am planning to become a Senior Contracts Manager in the next three years, and then explore further options.
01 April 2024