Retha Esterhuizen’s Post

Young Quantity Surveyors: 1. Yours is to learn as much and as fast as you can. Absorb concepts, understand why do you what you do, e.g. Why do we do a Final Account? 2. Any job you're in is an opportunity to learn. Don't despise small beginnings. I get DMs all the time from young QSs who believe they are wasting away with the tasks that they are doing or companies that they are in. But, you have to prove to your managers that you can handle small tasks before they trust you with big girl stuff(lol) 3. Respect your Managers. Listen, some of my previous managers were my age-mates, we've been to the same varsities and indeed in the same circle of friends. But, when it was time to shake and bake, I would shake and bake! If they tell you to do something, don't act fresh now like honey we were out last night, what do you mean you want a Cost Report? (lol) No. Authority. Understand it. 4. Respect everyone in the office, from the cleaner to the Director. I honestly don't believe that I have to mention Respect twice, especially to an African child. Our whole fibre of existence is woven on RESPECT. 5. Get things done! Be trustworthy. Yes, the task maybe overwhelming, but be seen to be working on that thing like your young life depends on it. Try. What is overwhelming today will be your practice run tomorrow. You'll eat that thing up for breakfast! I'll give you more pointers again. I'm tempted to say: 'Agree?' like some posts 😄 but I don't understand why you'd disagree in the first place, so there's that 😅 😄 #JuniorQS #GraduateQS #QSs

Very few Quantity Surveyors are actually in careers. Most are in a job. They work because they ‘have’ to They work primarily for the money They wake up not very excited going to work They would rather be somewhere else than at work I used to be like that. Then I changed! ………. Here is how I went from not enjoying my work to waking up excited every day: 1. Have a vision! Link the work that you do every day to where you want to end up. This is hard because it actually requires you to think about your career and what you want to achieve. Take the time because this is the biggest game changer to waking up excited everyday 2. See your day as a learning platform. The goal is to absorb the knowledge from the projects you work on and the people you work with so that you can apply what you learn to the next project you work on. This will keep you 100% engaged in your day 3. Develop a growth mindset You want to believe that you can get better at the quality of your work through effort. This is how you get 1% better every single day which makes you 37x better by the end of the year. 4. See everything as a form of instruction Your manager said something that made you unhappy. Great! Use that as fuel to make your work better. You made a mistake on your projects. Great! Admit it and find a solution so it does not happen again. 5. In 5 years time you are going to run your companies biggest project Imagine that in 5 years you are going to be given the keys to your companies biggest project. You have no choice. Now that you know this..how are you going to live out the rest of your working days? I bet you are going to be way way more focused and engaged. ………. And that is exactly what we want. I wake up excited every single day for work. I hope you do too ………. What are your thoughts about this?

Day 29: INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS As experienced professionals in Quantity Surveying, one of your most important roles is to inspire and guide the next generation of QS experts. The future of our industry depends on young talent, and as mentors, educators, and leaders, you have the opportunity to shape it for the better. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION Pass on Knowledge: Sharing industry insights and real world experience helps newcomers understand the complexities of the field. Encourage Diversity: Mentoring young professionals from diverse backgrounds promotes inclusivity and fresh perspectives in the industry. Foster Innovation: The next generation brings new ideas and technologies that can propel the industry forward. Ensure Industry Growth: Investing time in nurturing new talent ensures the sustainability and growth of the profession. How to Inspire Future QS Professionals 1. Mentorship: Provide guidance and support to young professionals and students through internships, mentorship programs, and networking events. 2. Share Your Story: Talk about your career journey, the challenges you've faced, and how you’ve overcome them. Your story can inspire others to persist and succeed. 3. Promote Continuous Learning: Encourage new QS professionals to keep learning and developing their skills, whether through formal education or self directed learning. 4. Highlight Career Opportunities: Showcase the broad range of opportunities in QS, from consultancy to project management, sustainability, and beyond. 5. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the values of hard work, ethics, and professionalism that you wish to instill in others. Takeaway By inspiring the next generation of Quantity Surveyors, you contribute to the future of the industry. Your guidance and mentorship can help young professionals overcome obstacles, grow in their careers, and continue the legacy of excellence in the QS field.

Many years ago, on my first day as a trainee surveyor, I was given two things to read: the firm's staff handbook and a copy of that week's Estates Gazette. In those days it was a substantial publication, with over a hundred pages, full of news, views, features and adverts (lots of adverts) for properties of all types and sizes. I don't remember anything from the staff handbook. Like many, I was shocked on Friday to learn of the demise of this great publication and, over the weekend, have been thinking about possible implications for the industry. In my mind, the closure of EG raises important questions about transparency, market intelligence, and how much more difficult it will be for property businesses to promote themselves without the 'Property Bible'. You don't know what you've got until it's gone. So I wrote a blog. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/41phpsr

Excellence: A Choice or Necessity? 💡 As a Quantity Surveying (QS) student, I ponder: Is excellence a choice or an obligation? 🤔 Growing up in a boarding school, I was ingrained with a culture of excellence through nightly structured study sessions - 'night preps' - where reading and studying were non-negotiable. 📚 This foundation has carried me over to my university journey, whereby God's grace has been instrumental in helping me excel. However, this relentless pursuit of excellence came at a cost - self-appreciation. I struggled to acknowledge my achievements, viewing reading and striving for excellence as mere duties. Now, I'm learning to appreciate myself, recognizing that: 1.⁠ ⁠Excellence is not just about achieving; it's about growth. 💪 2.⁠ ⁠Self-appreciation is essential for mental wellness. 🧠 3.⁠ ⁠Acknowledging small wins boosts confidence. 👏 What's your take on self-appreciation? How do you acknowledge your achievements? Share your thoughts! 💬 ——— Let's Connect! Are you passionate about building excellence in Quantity Surveying and built environment? I'd love to connect with like-minded professionals! Share your story, and let's grow together. #QuantitySurveying #SelfAppreciationJourney #MentalHealthMatters #GrowthMindset

What is life without impact? Think about a Quantity Surveyor who spends years building their career. They’re great at what they do, from managing project costs, contracts, and keeping everything on track. But after each project, moves on. No mentoring, no sharing of knowledge, no leaving something behind for others to learn from. Sure, they’ve done the job, but have they really made a difference? Beyond the buildings and BOQs, have they touched any lives? Now, imagine a different approach. Another Quantity Surveyor works just as hard, but they take things a step further. They mentor young professionals, speak at QS events, share lessons with interns, and actively look for ways to lift others up. They’re not just building structure or preparing BOQ, they’re building and preparing people, careers, and a stronger industry. The difference? Impact. Without impact, our work can feel a bit hollow. You might be great at what you do, but if you're not helping others grow or making a lasting difference, what’s it all for? But when you make an impact, your career becomes more than just a job, it becomes a way to inspire others, create change, and leave a legacy that matters. So, what is life without impact? It’s just a list of tasks checked off. But with impact, it becomes a life well-lived, where the work you do today makes a real difference tomorrow. I hope we live each day to live and make great impact. Let's live a life of impact always. THE PRO-QS #theproqs #mentorship #impact

A couple of months I overheard someone say that quantity surveyors tend to "job hop" a lot, and rarely stay employed at the same business for more than couple of years. I thought about it, looked up some LinkedIn profiles of people I know / used to work / study with and yes, most seem to change employers within 2-3 years, on average. I wondered why it is. And I think I have an idea. I think it's to do with narrow scope of work. Small number of QS graduates are lucky enough to land jobs with large organisations where, as their skills grow, their role changes, too - allowing them to constantly learn and develop themselves; and find a role that suits them well. But not everyone works in roles like that. Many others work for much, much smaller businesses where the scope of work is much narrower. Many probably find themselves either working within a narrow construction trade - say, only foundations or only residential etc - or within a narrow scope - say, only estimating, contract administration etc. Especially within the first few years of their career. But in order to become a knowledgeable quantity surveyor, they need more. Which means that once they've mastered their trade within that business, their learning becomes limited. And in order to develop an entirely additional set of skills, they need to go somewhere else. On one hand I understand the employer's perspective, "Darn, we put effort into training this person, and now they're gone." But on another hand I also understand a young QS's perspective, who gets asked at job interviews, "Have you got experience with contract management? What about estimating? Project management?" If you expect people to have wide set of skills, they need wide set of experiences. I don't think QS-s are, in general, somehow less loyal that other trades. I think their movement is a reflection of where the market is, and where it expects them to be.

The Importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Quantity Surveyors I want to highlight a crucial aspect of our careers as Quantity Surveyors (QS): Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In a field that’s constantly evolving with new technologies, regulations, and best practices, staying updated is essential for maintaining our edge and delivering the best results for our clients. Here’s why investing in CPD is so important: Keeping Up with Industry Changes: The construction industry is always changing, with new technologies, methodologies, and standards emerging regularly. CPD ensures that we’re not only aware of these changes but also proficient in applying them in our work. This knowledge helps us stay competitive and provide valuable insights to our clients (Taylor, 2023). Enhancing Skills and Knowledge: CPD activities such as workshops, seminars, and online courses allow us to deepen our expertise in areas like cost management, project management, and new software tools. This enhanced skill set translates into more efficient project delivery and better problem-solving capabilities (Wilson, 2023). Meeting Professional Standards: Many professional organizations require CPD as part of their membership criteria. Engaging in CPD helps us meet these requirements, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining high professional standards and ethical practices in our work (Brown, 2023). Career Advancement: Investing in our professional growth can open up new career opportunities and advancements. By continually updating our skills and knowledge, we position ourselves as leaders and experts in our field, which can lead to new roles, responsibilities, and projects (Nguyen, 2023). #What CPD activities have you found most beneficial in your career? How do you plan to continue your professional development this year? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments!

For young Quantity Surveyors starting their journey, no route is easy, you just have to be determined and focused to achieve excellence. You just have to make it work and these possible tips are sure to help you as you journey further. 💠 Ask Questions No question is too small. Confidently ask questions to gain clarity whenever you lack understanding, it shows your willingness to learn and ensures accuracy in your work. 💠 Strengthen your Soft Skills Being a successful Quantity Surveyor doesn't end with measurements or site visits, how you communicate, negotiate, and your organizational skills are equally important. Practice active listening and learn to present your ideas clearly to clients, contractors and colleagues. 💠Be Proactive You just have to stay ahead Take the initiative to learn beyond your immediate tasks. Explore project documentation, understand how decisions are made, and stay updated on QS trends. Studying should be most important to you Proactivity not only sharpens your skills but also builds your confidence. Every step you take today sets the foundation for a strong career tomorrow. So, take the time to invest in yourself and your growth. THE PRO-QS Obiageri Juliet Asogu MNIQS, RQS #TheProQS #youngprofessionals #quantitysurveying #careergrowth