We rounded up our Trainee QS’s and asked them to share with us the most important lessons they have learned so far in these early stages of their career. We found their responses to be interesting and insightful, and hope that they can help other young trainees and students.
1. Take Clear & Detailed Notes.
“Through attending the previously mentioned meetings (with contractors), I have learned the importance of taking clear and detailed notes from these situations. I have witnessed colleagues referring to meeting notes from months maybe even years previous in order to aid the work they are doing!”
Ross Stewart, Third Year Robert Gordon’s University, Aberdeen
(Doig+Smith Aberdeen Office)
2. Always Look at the Bigger Picture
“It can be easy to focus on one piece of work but ultimately, the small pieces all fit into one building that you need to make sure you have captured every element of, that’s why it’s so important to look at the bigger picture.”
Nour Rifai, Masters Student at Caledonian University
(Doig+Smith Glasgow)
3. Ask Multiple People the Same Question.
“Perhaps this advice could seem unusual, but by gathering different opinions and perspectives, you then have the opportunity to form your own position.”
Dominic Crichton, Third Year at Glasgow Caledonian University
(Doig+Smith Glasgow)
4. Time Management is Key.
“It has to be understood that a lot of free time is taken up with uni work. When you are working full time, it can be difficult to find the motivation to go home and study after work but if I start studying earlier in the year, I find that it’s not such a cram nearer exam time.”
Susie Faull, Masters Student in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying at Heriot Watt, Edinburgh
(Doig+Smith Edinburgh)
5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work…
“Since joining Doig+Smith as a Trainee QS, the most valuable lesson I have learned is how to work as part of a team. I am now part of various teams including those for separate projects and for billing. In a billing team I am responsible for completing different work packages, and I have to ensure no items have been missed out. It is so important to work together to get the task done to a high standard, and effective communication is critical to this. I’ve learned a lot from following the example set by other team members.”
Isla Sawers, Part-time BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University
(Doig+Smith Glasgow)