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Brooke James

from Beauty Therapist to Construction Coordinator
I collaborate with stakeholders to plan and manage the budgets and timelines of works for construction projects
Industry
Construction and infrastructure
Company
BMD
Job Level
Mid
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Ask me about

  • What I love about working in construction
  • The tools I used to pick a career (when I was feeling nervous)
  • What it's like working on large project sites

About me

I am a Construction Coordinator in Civil Construction.

When I left school, I was like many others in my year and didn’t quite know what I wanted to do next. After many conversations with my parents, we thought I’d enjoy being a beauty therapist, so I went and completed a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. I worked in the industry for 2 years and did enjoy it, but it wasn’t a passion.

From there I travelled overseas twice and moved through a job in a Physiotherapy Clinic as a Practice Manager and then at the Commonwealth Games in Queensland as Fleet Coordinator.

All the roles I worked in I always gave 110% and was rewarded or progressed but I found myself still searching. Once I moved back from Queensland to Melbourne, I landed a job in Construction, working in an Administration role. I worked in Construction in mainly Administration roles such as Office Management and Executive Assistant, before moving into a Construction Advisor role alongside other engineers and have now completed a Diploma of Project Management.

Never in my dreams, did I think I would be working as an Engineer without studying at university, especially since I didn’t even know what engineering was in high school or that I would one day absolutely love it!

About my role

  • Confident
  • Optimistic
  • Passionate
  • Practical
  • Reliable

During a day a Construction Coordinator is responsible for:

  • Liaise with Project Manager, Clients, Superintendents and Council Representatives
  • Review and follow drawings and specifications for to complete the project to design.
  • Ensure safety and quality requirements are followed on site daily
  • Problem solving of issues that arise on site
  • Review programs for upcoming works and confirm we are on time with our works.
  • Complete forecasting of costs and ensure we are within budget
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Education

  • Diploma of Beauty Therapy
  • Diploma of Project Management

Subjects

  • General Mathematics (Maths A)
  • Legal Studies
  • Physical Education
  • Psychology

Awards

  • BMD National Excellence Award Nominee 2022
  • Frontline Excellence Award 2017

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Running
  • Seeing family and friends

15 year old me!!

“Don’t worry about what others are doing, do what makes you happy and give it 100%. And if you’re not sure, that is OKAY! ”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Started as a Beauty Therapist
  2. Travelled overseas
  3. Moved from QLD to Melbourne, got my first job in construction
  4. Completed a Diploma of Project Management
  5. Became a Construction Advisor

My employer

BMD is Australia’s leading integrated engineering, construction and urban development business, with foundations built on the family values that underpin our unique, collaborative approach. Driven by a purpose of powering futures and creating enduring legacies through a commitment to collaboration, BMD is delivering infrastructure solutions that connect and transform communities. With a proud history beginning in Australia in 1979, BMD now employs 2,300 people throughout Australia, the Philippines and United Kingdom.