Jackie Mills works in our London office for our building consultancy department, we recently sat down with Jackie to find out a bit more about her varied career and what brought her to SW.
Tell us a bit about how you got into surveying…
My background is in marketing and I had reached a stage where I wanted a change of career. I always felt I was somewhat lacking by not having studied for a degree when I was younger, so at the age of 35 I decided to go and study. I struggled for ages as to what I would study, and whilst I was having a clear out and going through all my books, it occurred to me how much I loved buildings and architecture and I remembered that I always wanted to be a property developer.
I decided to study construction so that I would understand property development. This was at a time when the banks were throwing money at developers (before the crash of 2008). Whilst studying I realised that I would have to specialise, so I chose Building Surveying and at the time I had no idea about the APC or what becoming chartered was.
What attracted you to apply at SW?
I knew another Building Surveyor in the London office of SW, and so I messaged him via Linkedin to ask him what he thought my chances were of getting back into surveying (I had taken some time away to realise a business idea) and he said he would hire me ‘tomorrow’. Luckily for me they were actually looking to hire at the time. So I really just walked into the job. I was very lucky as I love it here at SW.
What is your favourite building and why?
I don’t have a favourite building but I was reduced to tears the first time I visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral. I was blown away by the fact that humans had constructed such a masterpiece using primitive techniques. I also love Victorian architecture, especially the industrial buildings. There’s nothing like an enormous brick wall.
“Our office is varied and happy. There is always lots of interaction and joking with each other. I’ve never actually worked in such a harmonious office.”