Curtin construction management student Nathan Moore is heading into his final semester with more than three years of industry experience.
And he’s not the only one.
“I think about 80% of the students in my course are working in construction at the same time as studying,” he says.
Students start connecting with industry just weeks into the degree, Nathan explains, developing their professional network and accessing hands-on opportunities.
“When I graduate at the end of the year and I get my first real job, I can say, ‘Here’s my degree, but here’s also three and a half years of experience,’” he smiles.
“That’s hugely significant. You’re on a different level in what you’re offering straight out of uni, which makes you so much more valuable to employers.”
The experience that changed everything
Nathan’s first job came weeks into his construction degree – through a connection he made on a Curtin site visit to a luxury townhouse development.
“It was my third or fourth site visit,” he recalls. “We had the opportunity to ask lots of questions.”
His enthusiasm caught the attention of the site team, who asked if he would be interested in working with them.
What came next was a two-and-a-half-year cadetship with Dale Alcock Projects, giving him the chance to test different areas of construction management while he studied.
“There are so many facets to construction, from site roles to design, project management, quantity surveying and contracts,” he says.
One role in particular surprised him.
“There’s a role called ‘contract administrator’. When you’re starting, that sounds boring. But now I’ve realised that contract administration is what I’d really like to do because you’re working with people, you’re making deals. You’re running the jobs from behind the scenes.”
Find out where a degree in Construction Management could take you.
Building connections from day one
Nathan’s experience is no accident.
Course Coordinator Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis says Curtin’s Construction Management degree is designed with input by an industry advisory board, keeping the course aligned with industry needs.
Students build career-ready skills through real projects and case studies, industry-led learning, site visits and industry events. Before graduating, they also complete 80 days of work experience in construction management.
“With almost two decades of experience in the construction industry, I know how important it is for students to experience real site conditions and observe actual construction activities firsthand,” Vasilios explains.
“That is why, within weeks of starting the degree, we organise site visits to help students understand the construction management process and begin building their professional networks.”
“From first year, many students are able to secure an industry internship, cadetship and even a part-time job.”
– Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis
The networks that students grow aren’t limited to employers, either. Nathan says his classmates are already becoming part of his professional future.
“The guys I am doing my group assignments with – they’re the ones I’m going to be ringing up or working for or tendering against in the future,” he says.
Finding your pathway
Curtin student Jen Rose has taken a different path into construction.
“I wasn’t someone who put myself forward at site visits because I hadn’t yet built up that confidence,” Jen says.
Instead, her first opportunity came through her Property specialisation, where she was paired with an industry mentor.
“Through our conversations, I gained confidence and started to put myself out there, attending industry events and panels. The following year he offered me an internship.”
Creating a LinkedIn profile led directly to her next opportunity.
“I actually got a message on LinkedIn from a recruiter at SHAPE saying, ‘Our cadetship is opening. Would you like to apply?’ I’ve been there for a year now – and I’m really happy.”
As a SHAPE cadet, she’s gained experience in site operations, safety, estimating and project management.
Last year, she worked on Curtin’s iconic geodesic Dome.
“Returning to Curtin to work on my first ever project was a pretty cool highlight – to get the job and jump straight in there,” she says.
Her experience has also reinforced the importance of building a professional presence early.
“I tell all my classmates: make sure you build up your contacts and get a LinkedIn as soon as possible, even if it’s literally just a picture and says what you’re studying,” she says.
“You don’t have to be posting on LinkedIn. Just start using it as a way to stay connected to the people you meet in the industry.”
– Jen Rose
Learning the tools and using them on the job
When Jen began her Construction Management degree, she was surprised by how much time she spent working with digital construction technology.
“I don’t think I was expecting as much software use,” she says. “But with the changing environment of the industry … it makes a lot of sense. I’ve worked with tools like Revit, Navisworks and Revisto, but every year they’re bringing in new ones.”
Nathan says the degree has given him early exposure to Building Information Modelling (BIM), construction sequencing, simulations and other digital technologies.
“As I’ve progressed through uni, I’ve been exposed to more complex things. Then at work, I’ve had the opportunity to use that knowledge straight away,” he says.
Vasilios believes building students’ digital capability alongside their construction knowledge is vital.
“We have a new partnership with Octave Intelligence that means our students can now gain even more hands-on experience with emerging digital construction technology,” he says.
Building the professionals of tomorrow
Vasilios says the degree is designed to develop more than technical skills – it’s about building the mindset students need to succeed in the industry.
“We build our students’ mathematical, measurement and construction management skills. We advance their knowledge using digital engineering tools. And we help them develop their critical thinking, problem solving, time management and communication skills through real case studies and projects.
“But importantly, when I teach students, I want to build their mindset: What is the right thing to do when no one is looking?” Vasilios explains.
Jen says working in the industry has made her eager to graduate.
“It’s pushed my career into the front seat and uni to the back seat,” she laughs.
“But it’s also given me a new perspective – I’ve got here because of my degree; this course has given me a way forward.”
For Nathan, the way forward is taking shape. He’s now a cadet with PACT Construction, working on a 24-storey residential tower in Murdoch – his dream job.
“I’ve always been interested in high-rise construction,” he says. “To be a cadet learning from guys with 30, 40 years of experience on such a big project – that’s crazy good experience,” he says.
If you’re inspired by Nathan and Jen’s stories, discover how Curtin can help you graduate career-ready.
