Constructing my way
Here’s my story about how I got into the role of Regional PA for SES Engineering Services, a national Mechanical and Electrical Building Services company.
When I moved from Edinburgh to Manchester in 2000 I started work at SES as a Secretary. It was a location near to my new home and that was what first attracted me. Little did I know what it was the beginning of! I’d never worked in the construction industry before, my previous roles being a tax assistant at a solicitors and a co-ordinator at a nursing agency; I really didn’t know anything about this new sector of work I was entering. I have never looked back, I absolutely love it! Every day is different, lots of challenges and learning about our industry. I have met lots of interesting people along the way too.
After a few years of being a secretary I became the North West Regional PA, which involved assisting the Regional Director and North West Senior Management Team. Being a PA is much more than diary management, minute taking, event booking etc…………..I get to be involved in so much. My Directors are great, they enable me to challenge myself daily, and I was even tasked with the NW office relocation and fit out, which with the help of our SES North West Team, was a resounding success - we now have a lovely office environment to work in.
I think our industry is great, so much so that I have become a STEM Ambassador, which involves visiting schools, and attending events, promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. I love to talk about our industry and all the careers available within it – especially trying to encourage females to come into engineering/construction. I have also become a mentor with Career Ready this year, where I will spend 12 months supporting a student with skills such as time management, problem solving, interview techniques, help with CV preparation, workplace etiquette, widening their network of contacts, building their confidence and introducing them to the range of careers in the industry. I’m really looking forward to this!
A large part of my role is being involved in assisting our Work Winning team with the preparation of tender documents, and I am also researching new and exciting ways that we can present our bids in the future – this has included looking into motion graphics, 3D printing and virtual reality. My involvement in Work Winning has also led to me building up the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. This has involved me working with local communities, social enterprises and charities taking account of our social, economic and environmental impact.
A passion of mine is promoting mental health awareness in our company and last year I became a mental health first aider. The construction industry was traditionally a male orientated environment, emotions were never spoken about and people could often feel isolated if they had mental health issues. This has now changed and we are ending the stigma around mental health and encouraging people to take ‘time to talk’.
Being a PA in the construction industry is a really exciting role with lots of avenues to explore. It opens up so many doors and allows me to get out of my comfort zone (if I want to J, which I often do!). My great Directors having played a massive part in the passion I have for my work, they coach me, encourage me and give me feedback – so a big thank you to them for all the opportunities that have come my way and making work so great!
