What's your job about?
I am working in the project delivery team. Our job is to make sure that projects are delivered on time and to expectation. We plan different tasks in a project. We delegate these tasks to various specialists. We monitor the progress of the projects and we exert control when our projects are delayed or disrupted.
I am currently working on delivering two projects of my own. They are the Emergency Help Points in the Northern Busway and the Bus Shelter Renewals. My tasks are to monitor the progress of the projects by contacting contractors and sometimes going to the sites to see if there are any issues at hand. I also have to keep all affected parties informed and make sure that the project is moving according to plan.
What's your background?
I grew up in Manurewa, probably the most beautiful suburb in South Auckland with the most heartiest people. I grew up with my mum and three siblings, two older sisters and one younger brother. Growing up, my mother always told us about the importance of hard work. She always worked hard alongside my older sister to ensure that I could complete my education.
I went to high school in De La Salle. This was where I found my passion for engineering. I loved Maths and Physics, however, the main appeal of engineering to me was the chance to positively impact the community.
Following high school, I was able to finish my Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Auckland. During my studies, I was able to apply for a programme called TupuToa which focuses on getting more Maori and Pacific students into corporate spaces. They got me a three-month internship with Auckland Transport which then transitioned into a graduate role in the project delivery team. What a bloody life.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
I believe that project management can be done by anyone. But I also believe that only a few people can truly master it. I believe that a project manager needs to be confident in their decision making. They also need to be knowledgeable in the projects they are managing. Furthermore, a project manager must be able to communicate their points clearly to different people. This is so that everybody can understand what the project is and how it affects them.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
What I love most about my job is the fact that I’m able to positively contribute to projects within my community. I’m able to deliver bus shelter renewals to help consumers feel safe when taking the bus. I’m able to help people feel assured that they can trust an emergency help point when there is an emergency. Being able to provide these for the community is a privilege.
What are the limitations of your job?
For me personally, I’ve never been one to lead or to really talk to others so this job has been a massive step out of my comfort zone. Especially considering that one of the main components of project management is communication. Furthermore, as a new graduate, there is a lot of information to take on board when you start managing different projects. Most of the learning is done on the job too which can be stressful. There can be times when you’ll have to report to a site in the early morning hours or when it’s pouring rain just to talk about minor issues with a contractor.
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