Back in 2019 our colleague Jodi Renwick was the first participant to be interviewed for our ‘Diary of a Trainee QS’ series when she shared how she was feeling in the lead up to her first day at University.
Nearly two years on, we caught up with Jodi again to see how her journey is going and to get an insight into what it has been like learning to be a Quantity Surveyor in the midst of a global pandemic!
How are you Jodi?
I’m good thanks. Of course this last year has been difficult for everyone, adapting to a new way of living and working, but there are some positives in the situation and I’ve tried to focus on that.
During lockdown I was one of many who discovered a love of baking and it will be nice to be able to share my sweet treats with the rest of the team when we soon return to the office!
Professionally, I’ve realised that I can work from home whilst still learning and developing myself as a trainee. Through working from home I would say I now work more independently and I certainly have a new appreciation for technology!
What has your approach been to working from home?
I have tried to keep myself to a routine. Every day I try to do a workout or run before starting work at 8:30 then get away from my desk on my lunch break and go out for a walk. I have to admit I’ve really missed working in the office with the other members of the team especially when I am still learning, but Doig+Smith has been hugely supportive with regular check ins and providing alternative support options.
The extra weekly training provided this year has been particularly useful especially the sessions tailored to trainee staff. Not working in the office, I was worried about losing progression but these training sessions have certainly prevented this.
I imagine some of the working and learning practices created from the pandemic will definitely stick around after this is all over, as most of them have made working life easier and more efficient.
Tell Us about your University experience during the pandemic?
This has obviously been a big change from normal university life, with home based learning replacing time on campus. One of the things I have definitely benefited from is being able to re watch lectures as you don’t always pick things up the first time around when you are listening in person. I wonder if they will one day record all lectures…
Glasgow Caledonian University, has provided considerable support to me throughout the pandemic and they regularly request feedback throughout trimesters to ensure they are providing us with the best online learning resources possible.
This year one of my assignments was a group task with other students in my class where we had to provide information on a construction project from start to finish including planning, site set up and completion.
Technology played an important part in this as that is how we communicated, shared documents and completed the assignment. We also faced the challenge of not being able to actually visit the site due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but thankfully we were able to use our knowledge of the project and information from contractors to collate the assignment.
What have you missed most about ‘normal’ trainee life?
Definitely being around people in the office and at university. Whilst technology is amazing and has enabled us to receive the same work and support from home, nothing beats face to face contact!
What are your hopes for the rest of this year?
I guess like most, I’m hoping to resume normal life again whatever the new normal may be. I hope to pass my second year of university and attain high grades which I am well on target to do. I also hope I can return to working in the office towards the end of the year or sooner!
We thank Jodi for sharing her experience with us, and for the commitment and effort she has clearly demonstrated. We look forward to catching up again post-pandemic!