Ah, the life of a construction graduate! It’s a bit like a box of chocolates—some programs are rich and varied, while others are more like plain old vanilla. When I applied for a graduate role, it was quite the adventure. Picture this: an online questionnaire, followed by a second round of questions. If you survived that, you got a phone interview with the HR manager. And if you still hadn’t scared them off, you were invited to a workshop with 60 other hopefuls, all vying for just 15 spots. They didn’t even tell us what the positions were—it was all about what we could bring to the table.
After surviving the workshop, I had an interview with the environmental manager. Now, I’ve had interviews before, but this one was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I was recovering from an illness and had a massive coughing fit right in the middle of it. I couldn’t speak for five minutes and sounded like a squeaky toy. Luckily, the manager had a great sense of humour and decided I was the right fit for their team, squeaks and all.
As a graduate, many companies already have projects lined up for you. In my case, they saw me as an independent go-getter and made me a “floater.” This meant I moved from job to job, filling in for on-site enviros while they were on break. It was a whirlwind experience, giving me a taste of different projects and teams, even if only for a short time.
Six months into floating around, my hard work paid off, and I was given my own project to run. This was a huge accomplishment. As a graduate, everything feels new, but that doesn’t mean you should sit back and relax. Get out there, start learning, and ask questions. Don’t be afraid. We even had annual graduate workshops where all the graduates came together.
My advice for new graduates? Don’t rely on the “I’m a graduate” excuse. Show initiative and prove that you’re a valuable full-time employee. Being a graduate gives you the chance to bring fresh ideas into the business and learn from everyone on site, from foremen to project managers. I highly recommend joining a graduate program in a construction company. It’s a massive opportunity and experience that you won’t find in many other industries.
Starting a career can be compared to playing with a toy excavator. Just like how a toy excavator allows you to practice and learn in a safe environment, the early stages of a career often involve learning the ropes and gaining experience in a controlled setting. It’s about building skills and confidence, one small task at a time, before moving on to bigger challenges.
