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Career Journey
I completed my degree in environmental science, and started my first job working in labs, testing water and soil samples, which included asbestos in soils analysis. I first came to AEC as a delegate on the P401 lab analyst training course. I really enjoyed the course and really felt the ‘vibe’ at AEC. It opened my eyes to the wider opportunities in the industry. In December 2014 I joined AEC as a lab analyst and was looking to progress my career. AEC put me on the asbestos surveyor development path, and I was trained and mentored here at AEC and achieved the P402 qualification and after a period of practical experience was then signed off for domestic properties.
I was always keen get firmly established in my career and after a couple of years of domestic surveying, I did leave AEC to work for another consultancy. I was hoping for a wider experience and opportunities, but I have learnt not all companies are equal! So, after a few years away I returned back and embarked on a commercial surveying development pathway, and I’m now signed off for commercial work.
Day in the life
A typical day will start with checking my diary and the jobs to be completed. I will drive to the property and meet my assistant or pick them up on the way there. There’s always some banter on the drive and we will also discuss the job we are going to. The jobs are planned in for us, and we are trusted to manage our workload, and given the freedom to carry out our work independently. Some days I feel like I am my own boss, which I like.
What do you find rewarding?
I value the trust that the company puts in me to carry out my work independently. The training and mentoring given by the company allows me to have freedom each day, balanced with the high expectation carry out my work to the highest standards and morally always do the right thing.
I also find it satisfying to support the assistants and trainee surveyors and watch them progress too. There’s a good mix of people in our surveying team and always new colleagues coming through the ranks, so I get the chance meet and work with a variety of colleagues, which is great.
Best project / location?
One of my most memorable jobs was working at Harrow School. It was amazing to walk around the great halls of this iconic school and see first-hand the history of the building.
Why Surveying?
I think being a surveyor is great option if you are interested in the built environment and compliance. I found that compared to other trades such as a joiner or an electrician for example, the route to being a qualified surveyor is more attainable. AEC offers a clear path for trainees, all undertaken in house by their own trainers. Also, the work is less physically demanding than most other trades, and the rewards and perks are just as great!
Any top tips for new starters at AEC?
As a trainee, it can be daunting in the early days. The training and mentoring at AEC is the best, so you just need to stay with it and eventually it just clicks. Once you qualify and can carry out works independently you never look back.
From my experience, I would also advise caution when looking at career advancement elsewhere, there’s a lot of companies out there that make promises that they don’t deliver on. Sometimes the offer of a higher salary or career development just doesn’t materialise.
AEC’s family feel, morally doing the right thing for staff and genuine career development is not to be underestimated!
Training and Development & Future Ambitions
Career development is important to me, and I found that having a clear development path and my manager committing to my progression is motivating and good for my well-being. I’ve been signed off for commercial work, and the appeal of surveying whole buildings and the opportunity to work in some of the most iconic and historic buildings in the UK is massive!
Why AEC?
Having worked at other companies in the industry I have learned that not all companies operate in the same way. For me, it’s the people that make AEC and there is definitely ‘the AEC way’. AEC stands out to me for being very transparent, fair and ethical with staff. The company sets high standards – we are expected to do our jobs in the right way, which encourages you to always do your best, you want to see the company succeed. For me the morals and ethics are important. AEC invests in staff development and does what it says it will do, and managers deliver on their commitment to staff progression with no false hope or dead ends.
