Carmel Chin

NAME: Carmel Chin
EMPLOYER: GVA Grimley LLP
UNIVERSITY: University of Reading
QUALIFICATION: BSc building surveying

I’ve always been fascinated by buildings and knew that I wanted to work in the built environment. After a bit of research I discovered building surveying: a career which would allow me to be involved with the design and specification involved in construction. I joined my current employer's graduate programme after university. I was promoted to senior surveyor 18 months after completing my Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

My role

Since passing the APC, my responsibility on projects and dealing with clients has increased. At the moment my job involves attending sites to inspect progress, writing specifications of work to be done and agreeing designs. I also review leases to advise landlords and tenants on their obligations regarding repairs to a building. My role also includes responsibility for client management, acting as an APC supervisor, managing graduates and trainees, and providing advice and support to my team.

I like…

… the fact that the projects I work on can range from £60,000 to £18 million so I get a great variety of work within my job.

The tough bit is…

… the industry is always changing and we’re constantly learning but I get great in-house training. 

Key tools

• Diary – to plan my week, keep track of report deadlines and project programmes.
• Dictaphone and camera – to keep a record of everything I see on site.
• Binoculars – to see those areas difficult to inspect from the ground.