07 Feb Career Story – Jo Godolphin, Senior Quantity Surveyor

Senior Quantity Surveyor, Jo Godolphin, shares her career story:

What is your background and how did you get into Construction?

I fell into construction accidentally! I had undertaken a BA (Hons) in Music, through the Open University, and was not sure where to go from there, as I was keen to stay in Cornwall.

I have always loved architecture and the built environment, but as I was much better at maths than art at school, becoming an architect didn’t seem like an option.

When I found a vacancy for a trainee Quantity Surveyor, I had no idea what it meant, so I looked online. When I read the job description, it ticked so many of my boxes that I had to apply. I got the job and haven’t looked back since.

I joined WWA in 2016, as I wanted to take my career to the next level, and was promoted to Senior Quantity Surveyor last year.

Tell us what the day job looks like?

I absolutely love that no day is the same; one day I can be meeting with a contractor on site to discuss finishes on behalf of a client and the next day I can be in the boardroom with solicitors discussing construction contracts. My role also allows me to be involved at all stages of a project.

Some people call Quantity Surveyors ‘brick counters’, which we don’t do much of anymore. That said, measurement can be more therapeutic than a good Sudoku puzzle!

Tell us about the road to Chartership?

It’s a long road, but it will be worth it.

I’m hoping to sit my Final Assessment towards the end of this year, which will have taken just over two years to complete.

There are different elements involved in the process including:

• Keeping a professional diary;
• Meeting the necessary competencies;
• Project Case study;
• Interview with a panel of RICS Assessors.

At the end, if successful, you become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and can use the ‘MRICS’ post-nominals.

Why do you enjoy working in construction?

It’s a hugely important industry for the country, however, there are lots of misconceptions. There are brilliant career opportunities available and I’d urge anyone to consider it as an option.

The construction industry covers so many areas, from small house extensions, to new towns, and massive infrastructure projects. The variety of my current projects is vast, I have worked on affordable housing, a luxury manor house and even a new village! Then there are non-residential projects such as industrial units, schools, hotels, and even a luxury spa development.

As a woman, it’s a great industry to be involved in and it doesn’t deserve the negative press it sometimes gets. There is increasing diversity and opportunities –  you can do anything you want to.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I love my job and I love Cornwall. I am so grateful that I have been able to enter a profession and remain in the county.

In the future, I hope that I will be able to bring my voice to the table and make a positive impact to the development of Cornwall. But until then, I want to become chartered!

How do you feel about being named one of the 30 under 30?

I am delighted to be named one of Cornwall’s 30 under 30!

It’s fantastic that the construction industry is being recognised within these awards as it is so important to the Cornish economy. I am also particularly excited to be included, as I don’t fit the stereotype of “a typical person” working in construction, which I hope demonstrates how inclusive the industry is.

For more information about careers at WWA, please click here.