National Careers Week 2022: Amanda Baillie

I studied Bioengineering at Loughborough, but I knew before starting my final year that I wanted to focus my career on alternative paths. I decided to join Pick Everard for several reasons; I knew from initial research that the partnership has set ambitious sustainability goals, and this is an area which is important to me. Also, when I had my in-person interview, I got on well with the interviewers and they gave a great impression of the business culture.

What attracted you to Project Management?

In my final year of university I took a module which taught the basics of project management, and I was really intrigued by the whole idea. Some of the core skills of project management are skills I possess such as people management and problem solving, and I wanted to be able to apply these skills in a useful way.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I wouldn’t say I really have a “typical” day to be honest! But most days I have Teams meetings with clients, contractors, and/or members of my team to discuss ongoing projects. I’ll usually assist someone on the team with a piece of work such as preparing a risk register or proofreading a report, and at the end of each month I do lots of invoicing!

What approach did you take in finding out about career opportunities?

I did lots of research online, including using every job board I came across. When looking at opportunities I tried to be open minded and be aware that something might be more interesting than it appeared at first glance, and I was clear with myself about the transferable skills I possessed that might be useful in various roles and sectors.

How are you finding working and studying at the same time?

I’m currently studying an RICS course in Construction Project Management which has been interesting so far. I spend some time on the course every week after work and sometimes on weekends; and I’m proud to say I recently received a score of 90% in a case study I submitted.

Any tips for students who are currently looking at career options and applying?

Persevere! It may seem never-ending applying for roles, but each application teaches you something and there is a role out there that will be great for you (if it helps, I applied for 80+ jobs before I got mine). Also, I found it useful to have a spreadsheet tracking my applications and getting in touch when I hadn’t heard back.

What exciting schemes/projects have you worked on?

I’ve been doing lots of work on the NERC Framework, and recently got to visit one of their sites. It was great to be involved in a meeting discussing the future of the partnership between us and see how the things I work on tie into the bigger picture. I’m also assisting with the delivery of seven school projects in Bedford, and I can’t wait to see the results.

What are your goals for the next 5 years?

I’m currently signed up to the PDP, which is a route to CIOB chartership, so I’m hoping to become a Chartered Project Professional within the next few years. I’m looking forward to developing closer relationships with my colleagues throughout the business, and with our clients and contractors. I would also love to be managing my own projects in 5 years, but we’ll see!