23 year old Iona Foubister from Keithhall, Inverurie, is a graduate building surveyor for FG Burnett.
Her qualifications are a BSC (Hons) in Building Surveying.
Q. WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?
A. My job varies significantly from day to day and project to project. I recently completed a refurbishment of an office on Union Street for our client’s new premises. This involved fully specifying the refurbishment works, instructing the contractor and monitoring the works on site while dealing with the final account. Some of the other work I am involved in is Schedules of Condition, Building Surveys, Dilapidations, Planning and Building Warrant applications and Project Monitoring new builds.
Q. YOUR JOB’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
A. The biggest challenge is prioritising. I can have a large number of jobs running at one time so I need to ensure I prioritise while also not forgetting about the smaller ongoing jobs which are just as important.
Q. BEST THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
A. Getting out and about and inspecting the range of different buildings that Aberdeen and further afield have to offer. I have always had an interest in historic buildings so being able to inspect these along with all other types of commercial buildings and seeing how they are developing for the future is very satisfying.
Q. BEST CAREER ADVICE?
A. Don’t be afraid to say no if it is not what you want to do. Many people think it is about getting their foot in the door and on to the career ladder as quickly as possible, but declining the first graduate job I was offered was the best decision I made.
Q. WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?
A. My dream at the moment is to continue working towards becoming a Chartered Surveyor with the RICS and then see where that takes me on the career ladder.