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CCF SA Magazine Issue 1 2021 - Civil Connect (TRAILBLAZING WOMEN - FEATURE ARTCILE )
TRAILBLAZING WOMEN
As we celebrated International Women’s Day in March this year, we take the opportunity to highlight and applaud the achievements of three amazing Civil Industry Trailblazers.
JEMMA BISHOP - WEST COAST BITUMEN
JEMMA BISHOP - WEST COAST BITUMEN
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
I started in the civil construction industry in 2003 when I took a job with West Coast Bitumen, which my husband Trevor and his father Wally launched in 1992. Previously, I had a career in hospitality, and I had never considered working in civil construction. I started with West Coast, a bitumen contractor specialising in local government work when the receptionist took some days off. Trevor asked me to fill in, and I ended up staying and am now the firm’s General Manager.
WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
What doesn’t it involve? As we are a family-owned and operated business, I don’t have a defined role. That said, as the GM, one day I could be writing million-dollar government tenders or cleaning the bathrooms the next.
I’m generally the first point of contact for clients and am responsible for business development. I do all the quoting and tender preparation, and once the project is ready to commence, I hand the job over to our project manager. He deals with the onsite requirements, and I do the invoicing. I’m also directly responsible for our two administrative staff and generally keeping our employees, our fleet of trucks and logistics ticking over. I’m also responsible for keeping up with the latest technology.
We’re becoming more environmentally focused on the impact of bitumen and asphalt, and we’re looking at how we can use recycled products in the future.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE CRITICAL INGREDIENTS TO CAREER SUCCESS?
You must be adaptable. For me, one day, I could be doing data entry and payroll and the next, be on site driving a roller. To be a general manager in this industry, you must be resilient. Also, don’t expect much positive feedback. “Oh, you’re doing a great job, or you wrote that tender document beautifully.” It won’t happen.If you make a mistake, you must expect to hear about it. That said, if you don’t know something, admit it, and then go away and find out and get back with the right information.Communication is critical in the industry. Having good relationships with the head contractors and government departments is key to success in this industry. I like to build relationships, and that has helped me a lot.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A TRAILBLAZER AND WHY?
Construction is a male-dominated industry, but I prefer that scenario. It’s nice to be able to keep up and surprise the boys. When I look at other family run small businesses in this industry, women mostly do the administration work, and the men do everything else. I’m proud to say that I’m involved in many of the construction processes our company takes on.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR MAJOR CAREER INSPIRATION?
Maybe its clichéd but Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, is someone who fascinates me. I’m fascinated by people who have created and run successful businesses. Branson has done things his way, and I also like Wizard and Yellow Brick Road founder, Mark Bouris, in terms of his leadership.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER?
Given my hospitality background, I never considered construction as a career and had to wing it for a while. Having to learn about this industry on the go was a challenge. I’ve also done some business administration studies and project management that have helped me as a GM. Construction is also a maledominated industry. But the challenge is not dealing with men, but with men who are 30 years older than me.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST OUTSTANDING CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?
In 2018, I won a Women in Civil Award from the Civil Contractors Federation South Australia, a significant recognition. I’m also thrilled by the growth of our business since I joined in 2003. Based in Port Lincoln, we have grown into a company employing 15 staff and competing successfully for multimillion-dollar contacts with multinational competitors.
THE THEME FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (IWD) 2021 IS ‘CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE’. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
My advice is to go for it. I get it that this is a male-dominated industry and there are broader issues with gender pay gaps. But I feel that civil construction is changing and becoming one of those industries where the gap is narrowing. That said, there remains the challenge to see more women CEOs running civil construction firms.
SASHA GROSSET - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, FULTON HOGAN CONSTRUCTION
SASHA GROSSET - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, FULTON HOGAN CONSTRUCTION
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
My civil construction career started with Fulton Hogan ten years ago after roles with a marketing company and then a manufacturing construction firm.Despite my marketing background, I can trace my love for civil construction to my father Tony, who ran Glenn Industries, a building construction company. I virtually grew up as my dad’s left-hand girl and was extremely comfortable in a construction environment. Yet I never had any intention of being a builder or an engineer. I was working in Sydney in marketing when, in 2006, an opportunity to work as a business development manager in my father’s company presented. I grabbed this role, initially based in Sydney, as it could eventually help me get back to Adelaide.
WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
As a business development manager, most of my role involves generating market awareness of project opportunities and putting together strategic plans around how we best bid to win projects. We consider how these plans impact the client, local industry, and any other stakeholders. It’s an allencompassing role with Fulton Hogan, which is currently undertaking some high-profile projects in SA. These projects include the Darlington Road Upgrade and the Flinders Link between Flinders Hospital and Flinders University. Other recent major infrastructure projects include the Northern Expressway and the runway overlay work at Adelaide Airport.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE CRITICAL INGREDIENTS TO CAREER SUCCESS?
Integrity is critical to career success. You must also behave with conviction, believe in yourself and trust your instincts. You must have the confidence to speak up and argue your point. In the civil construction game, when you are not a civil engineer, it can be quite intimidating. You must have confidence in your own ability and the value you bring to the table. At Fulton Hogan, there is a strong belief in the value the business development function delivers. We’re regarded as a valuable contributor to the development of the business.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A TRAILBLAZER AND WHY?
Absolutely not. That said, I’m proud of what I have been able to contribute to the growth of Fulton Hogan. I’m also proud of my role. But that comes from the support of my managers. I’m not here to trailblaze but get my job done. And if I can inspire my children Declan, Cobin and Lu Lu and have a great work balance then I’ll be happy.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR MAJOR CAREER INSPIRATION?
My father Tony. His work ethic was like no other. My father’s generation were the true trailblazers. They built businesses from scratch and put everything on the line to do it. My father’s career also taught me about the need for balance.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER?
Believing in myself when you’re questioned every step of the way. Another challenge was returning to work part-time after having a baby. This is an underestimated challenge. Feeling that you add value when working part-time is incredibly challenging for a working mum and the employer. I was lucky that our fantastic State Manager Tom Rozenbilds helped me transition back into Fulton Hogan. He values my contribution to the business and understands the importance of work-life balance.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST OUTSTANDING CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?
Making a career in civil construction without an engineering background – I have a Bachelor of Management (International Marketing) from University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics & Sociology. That said, my marketing background has served me well. It’s essential for construction and engineering companies to employ staff with qualifications outside that realm, particularly in regard to a role such as business development. Not having a technical background allows me to put a different lens on the assessment of bids and tenders. It’s a nontechnical assessment and enables us to create a wholistic approach to the development of a tender. Many of the people who assess the bid won’t have an engineering or construction background. It’s possible these assessors are more interested in our local community engagement strategies rather than the more technical aspects.
THE THEME FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (IWD) 2021 IS ‘CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE’. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
You must break through the stereotypes, have confidence in yourself, and faith in the value you deliver to the business. It’s essential that you also find a company such as Fulton Hogan that values what you do and who you are. →
WINNIE ZHU - CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, MCCONNELL DOWELL CONSTRUCTORS
WINNIE ZHU - CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, MCCONNELL DOWELL CONSTRUCTORS
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
My father Yan worked for a construction company, and many of my family members were civil engineers, so my heart was always in civil construction rather than design. I love seeing structures being built that contribute to the community’s infrastructure.
I completed a civil engineering degree at the University of Western Australia in 2010 and took a job as a graduate engineer the next year with McConnell Dowell. For the next six years, I worked on ‘fly in fly out’ construction projects such as new wharf and port facilities before landing in Adelaide to take a role as a project engineer on the DPTI Connexion Alliance – Torrens Rail Junction Project.
WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
I’m a Construction Manager for projects which can include anything from multilevel carparks, railway lines or overhead bridges. For these projects, I manage the planning, procurement, sourcing of materials, liaising with subcontractors, managing budgets and costs, and community and stakeholder engagement.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE CRITICAL INGREDIENTS TO CAREER SUCCESS?
For me, confidence is a critical factor in career success. It’s also about having the right attitude. I have found that many people are capable, but they have a challenging career path because of a lack of confidence. An ability to listen to others is a quality that contributes to career success while taking the lead when required is also essential.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A TRAILBLAZER AND WHY?
There are minimal numbers of women in civil construction, so, that I’m building a career in civil construction, is very satisfying. Apart from being a woman, I came to Australia as an international student from China, so there were language barriers to negotiate.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR MAJOR CAREER INSPIRATION?
My mother Li was a university professor and was able to balance her life as a successful businesswoman with her essential role as a mother. She was passionate about her career, an effective communicator and was always there for me when I needed some advice and guidance. I don’t know how she did it, and I’ll never be able to ask her as she passed a few years ago.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER?
The culture shock when I moved to Australia as a 17-year-old was a significant challenge. I remember landing at Perth Airport on 30 July 2003, and I had extremely limited English. The English I had learned was from American teachers. I remember arriving at customs, and the officers were asking me what my surname was. I had no idea what they were asking because it is called your “family or last name” in American English.
My first project was the construction of a heavy haul railway in the Pilbara, and we were living on a campsite. The first time I walked into the camp’s dining area, I realised I was the only female, which was a bit intimidating.
As a 23-year-old, I had to integrate, and it took me time to gain respect through my work achievements. I love an after-work chat, but you need to prove yourself as an engineer to earn respect.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST OUTSTANDING CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?
I have worked on some fantastic infrastructure projects, but it’s in the area of personal development where I have scored my best career achievements. I see inspiring younger women taking a chance in civil construction as my number one achievement and it is where I get the most satisfaction.
Given my career achievements and background, I have been in articles such as this and have won achievement awards from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This recognition will hopefully encourage more younger women to consider careers in the civil construction industry. That I have been able to coach some of these new entrants is a major career achievement.
THE THEME FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (IWD) 2021 IS ‘CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE’. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION?
Regardless of gender, it would help if you were well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of working in this industry. I thrive on being challenged and get very bored without challenges. You can’t expect to come into this industry and hope to work 9-5.
