Name: Jayne Richardson
Position: Construction Delivery Partner – Development
Company: Vicinity Centres
What do you enjoy the most, working in the field of construction & development?
I enjoy the dynamic nature of construction, it’s always evolving, and no day on-site looks the same. I also find it very rewarding to have a very definite ‘build’ target and leading a team in successfully achieving it. Currently, as I’m moving more into the development space, I’m really enjoying the exposure to the front-end of project conception and applying my skills to assist in realisation and delivery. In general, I have found that the property industry is far reaching and within the development realm, my professional network has expanded. This has given me a greater ability to interact with lots of people from different backgrounds.
Where do you see your life in the next 5 years, what possibilities are ahead of you?
After spending many years in the construction industry and to now a building fledgling career in development, I see myself cementing my career within the broader property industry. I believe I can achieve this by continually increasing my skill sets, demonstrating my value as an employee, and developing a capable and reliable reputation for myself. I’m fortunate to work with and for very talented people who nurture and drive me. Through them, at a large company I have great aspirations to expand my career.
If you could write a letter to a 13-year-old ‘you’ what would you say?
I have 5 key things I’d tell a 13-year old me:
- Experience life (within the legal bounds!) and don’t say no to things, just because or due to peer pressure.
- Life is very much in the grey zone. Those black and white views you have will most likely change as you get older and life becomes more complex. However, lead with integrity and honesty.
- Don’t worry about changing your mind or making a mistake. That’s how you learn the best life lessons. Just ask yourself how a decision you make may impact others and take responsibility for your actions both good and bad.
- I was lucky I went into my dream career, but for anyone else I would say work out where your talents lie, what you are passionate about, and find the career path that merges the two.
- Celebrate the wins! Too often you just move onto the next problem or goal. Savour the good moments.
What are 3 skills you have had to develop to get to where you are presently?
- Straight out of university and without exposure to working on a construction site; it was a very different environment and I was quite shy when I started. I had to find my inner confidence and trust in my abilities.
- My approach life is to tackle it head-on and go for it. I’ve had to learn not everyone has the same ‘gusto’ / approach and adapt my approach over time. This is a work in progress!
- I’ve had to learn the technical skills of how to build. I studied engineering, so I had a lot of theory, but the practical process of construction was learned over many years from skilled tradespeople, field experts and mentors.
