Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’VE LANDED A CAREER I CAN BUILD ON
If you’re one of the thousands of young people in their final year at university, now is the time of year to start thinking about getting your foot in the door of prospective employers.
Nora Dow, 28, from Basingstoke, Hants, was quick off the mark and only seven years since graduating is thriving in her dream career as a senior land manager for construction giant Redrow.
What does your job involve day-to-day?
I am responsible for identifying and acquiring new sites in Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, then working with the planning team to ensure that all of our new homes and developments are fulfilling their potential. This requires a range of skills including negotiation, excellent communication, but also teamwork and attention to detail.
What do you like most?
I love that every day is different – one day I will be out meeting landowners and walking sites and the next I will be inside crunching numbers.
I have also been a panellist internally for International Women’s Day 2022, where I answered questions on the topic alongside inspiring colleagues.
For me it’s such an honour to be part of a discussion around gender, equality and inclusion, especially when it comes to encouraging more women to join this vibrant industry. One of my proudest achievements was completing my chartership and becoming a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Do you get out and about much?
I am office based but I do get out a lot to go and meet landowners and agents. I enjoy visiting potential development opportunities and visualising what a future development will look like.
How did you get to this point?
I joined Redrow’s graduate programme just over seven years ago and progressed through the ranks to where I am now 18 months ago.
I joined straight from university where I did a degree in architectural design technology at Wrexham Glyndwr University.
The programme has given me the opportunity to work in all departments, from construction to customer services, sales and land, in order to understand the whole housebuilding process and find out what I am passionate about.
Why did you decide to follow this career?
I was always fascinated in building and design but I’d never actually pictured myself working in the job I’m in now.
I only found out about Redrow when a previous graduate from my university returned to give a careers presentation.
Up until then I’d had some work experience at an architect’s office but overall my knowledge of the sector was limited.
I certainly had no previous experience in land buying. I love now that I have been back to my uni to hopefully inspire others too.
Did you know from day one you’d found the career for you?
Not really. When I first joined, I thought that I wanted a career in the technical department.
It took time but I eventually found the side of the industry I enjoyed working in.
That’s why having the chance to sample work in different departments is really useful. Land management just clicked for me.
Top tips for students looking to join a graduate scheme
Don’t be put off by not having any experience in the sector. Attitude is often more important that knowledge – anyone can learn new skills, and don’t limit yourselves to a job in the industry you think you want to work in.
Look for schemes with rotational elements so you can broaden your experience.
Remember – you may not yet have discovered the role you want, so be open-minded.
Graduate schemes
A graduate training scheme is an excellent way to jump-start your career. It will usually give graduates experience in different jobs and areas of the business.
Formal training schemes generally last one or two years and are usually a combination of ‘on the job’ and possibly formal residential training programmes. They might include apprenticeships too.
While some companies set deadlines, many are happy to accept applications all year round. Make sure you check the dates carefully before you dive in. There’s no point taking the time to fill in the application when they closed last week.
Many start opening their schemes around now. When you’re filling in the form take your time and make sure it is flawless.
Your first stop should be at prospects.ac.uk which has links to all the major companies that are recruiting now such as Vodafone, Asda, Lidl and Capgemini.
Housebuilder Redrow (redrowplc.co.uk/careers/earlycareers/graduates/) recently welcomed 31 graduates to the company in its latest cohort and will be taking on more next year.