- Qualifications
- Favourite school subjects
- First full-time job
- What sparked your interest in a construction career?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Construction Management from Western Sydney University, majoring in quantity surveying with a sub-major in economics. I've also got a Diploma in Construction Technology.
Physics, engineering, and Design and Technology (which included some woodwork).
I was a full-time truck washer! I decontaminated trucks of all sizes, washed the barrels and chutes inside and out once they returned back to the yard.
When I was a child I was obsessed with mega-structures, anything ridiculously large, like massive bridges. So my mum got me a Meccano set and a Lego set, and I’d build all kinds of things.
As it turns out, I'm the only person in my family who got into construction, apart from my grandfather. He gave me hands on experience which fuelled my drive to pursue a career in construction.
"In an industry that is still disproportionately dominated by men, encouraging women to recognise their ability and self-worth is vital." - Eden on encouraging women in the construction industry.
What's the best part of your job?
It’s all the people I meet and the humour we all share! There’s a comfortable and accepting atmosphere here, and it’s nice to have a strong bond with my team.
I typically arrive at work at 7am and after a quick chat with the team kick off my day by reading emails to prioritize my work flow.
There are many emails and everyone has something important they need. So, I figure out what I need to do to be able to respond, put them in priority order, and get cracking.
I’m responsible for the hydrostatic structure prototype and need to go on-site to see how the team are going. I've completed the drawings and markups that I use on the site visit beforehand. I want to look further into commencement of the basement structure in an attempt to minimise potential issues and familiarise myself with the construction sequence. Once the sequence is agreed amongst our internal team I’ll send it over to the subcontractors for their feedback.
I've also got requests for information which I will respond to. We typically hold a team meeting to discuss a lookahead of upcoming works and inform the team of works scheduled for the weekend.
I try to leave work around 5pm, so long as I’ve completed my work priorities and everything is on track for the coming week.
One of the challenges is getting everyone involved to agree! Even though there might already be a sequence to follow, you have to stay open to the possibility that something else could also work for everyone.
Many decisions get made at busy times, and sometimes it’s about dialling back and rethinking things because there are repercussions and pros and cons at every step. There's a flow-on effect to everything. Regardless of who decides, there’s a domino effect that follows. So, I try to ensure our decisions and processes will get us where we need to be, always with quality, time and budget in mind.
I have come to realise that developmental initiatives are more effective when they align with a shared vision to achieve goals as a team. I have had to overcome the challenge of a non-traditional career, which has underlying assumptions surrounding gender role and take on tasks that require abilities typically attributed to men.
I’m in awe of the things that happen on our projects and what I’ve been able to do.
Currently I am part of the new Sydney Fish Market team which is a development approximately 32,000m2, supported by over 200 marine piles and a waterproofed marine-suitable suspended sub-structure.
On my previous job I worked on the Quay Quarter Tower redevelopment project. We retained two-thirds of the existing building, demolished the front, rebuilt it, and built up from there. It’s been called the world’s first "upcycled" vertical village and won World Building of the Year 2022!
Be patient and open-minded if you want to be a successful site engineer. You need to be able to come up with quick solutions. There's always going to be an alternative so don't be stubborn about things.
Build skillsets and values through comradery, problem solving and networking.
Respect what you’re doing and have pride and passion in your work.
Take responsibility for your errors and own your mistakes. We all make them. It’s okay to say, “I’m sorry”. Taking accountability is so important. No one, not even those with 30 years of experience, know everything.
"Be patient and open-minded if you want to be a successful site engineer. You need to be able to come up with quick solutions. There's always going to be an alternative so don't be stubborn about things." - Eden on success in her role.
How did you get to where you are now?
By age 14, I was sure I wanted to be in construction. I did year 10 work experience at an architecture firm which gave me insights into the field and helped me decide that I wanted a more hands-on, less office and screen-based career.
During high school I worked in a warehouse which manufactured and fit off marble, granite or quartz elements such as kitchen benchtops and splashbacks and helped install them. I also washed and decontaminated trucks.
I worked in hospitality during my first year at uni and this experience led me into the construction industry. I worked in a café opposite Brookfield Place which was in construction at the time. I’d talk with the construction workers about the project, what they’d studied and how to get a job. I was curious and intrigued by the building process and it gave me the advice and the confidence I needed to apply for a job.
It wasn’t long until I completed work experience for six months with Multiplex. I then signed over as a cadet which meant I was studying and working concurrently. Working while I studied helped me earn enough to buy a car and gave me a head start with my uni fees. It assisted me with completing my degree as I was able to relate my industry experience to studies.
After a few more transitions, here I am, working as a site engineer!
I’ve found it’s an industry where you can be yourself. You’re always learning something new! Our industry is changing, and so are our flexible work practices. Currently there are so many different opportunities to pursue and experience which can be utilised internationally.
The construction industry is a great place to be!
I have a few mentors, and they're so supportive and patient.
They help me put things into perspective and to ride the highs and the lows. They encourage me to enjoy what I have and where I’m now and inspire me to be ambitious.
I can trust them to give me brutally honest constructive feedback, which I welcome and can work off.
When I sum up the characteristics and qualities of my mentors, they're honest, genuine, understanding, and open-minded, which are the strong leadership qualities I admire.
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What 3 things make a good construction company where people want to work?
A company that puts it’s people first. You are an essential part of a team, regardless of your position. Everyone gives you the time of day, no matter who they are or how senior their role is.
Work practices are improving. We're modernising and heading in a better direction. Sometimes, depending on your role and what’s happening, you can work from home or head off from the office earlier.
There’s a learning culture. You can learn from your successes and benefit from your mistakes in an open-minded, non-judgemental way. There’s the kind of support and guidance needed and delivered in the best way.
What’s next careerwise? And, in the longer term?
I'm planning on taking a non-conventional construction career path. Well, I'm going to push for it anyway.
So currently, I’m a site engineer. A project engineer role could be next if I stay on this pathway. Following that, a senior project engineer, and onto management over to site manager.
In an industry that is still disproportionately dominated by men, encouraging women to recognise their ability and self-worth is vital. My career aspiration is to create a milestone by challenging the status quo and becoming the first female site manager in NSW for Multiplex.
My career aspirations are to create an inviting atmosphere where women can unapologetically be themselves, to utilise their diversity, to influence innovation and accommodate authenticity. I would like to motivate future generations to recognise a sense of achievement and value to society through their everlasting impact on reshaping Australia’s skyline.
When I was younger, the best advice was not to take anything too personally.
Since then, I’ve found other pieces of helpful advice too. Here are two more:
People learn differently, and there are always different ways of doing things. Think outside the box. Consider all ideas no matter how impracticable they may seem.
Stay humble and open-minded. Listening to others is so crucial in our industry. And be kind. You can never know what someone's going through or how they’ll react.
Respect people. No one is better than anyone else, regardless of where you’ve come from, where you trained, or where you are in the company. Be humble and demonstrate accountability!