For Pierce, construction management wasn’t always the plan. Initially, he dreamed of becoming a vet, even spending two years studying animal health and science. However, during COVID-19, Pierce reassessed his career goals and realised that, whilst he loved animals, the biology-heavy path wasn’t for him.
After working in his dad’s construction office to test the waters, Pierce swapped to Curtin’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management. Now in his fourth and final year, Pierce has embraced the unique honours structure, where he could integrate honours into his degree without additional years of study. His favourite aspect of the field is project management and thrives on investing throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
“I love learning practical things and then driving around town, seeing what I’ve learned come to life.”
From collaborating with architects and engineers to coordinating trades and closing out projects, he enjoys the satisfaction of the full circle nature of his degree.
Pierce’s practical experience has been extensive, with cadetship roles ranging from safety management and drafting subcontract agreements to quantifying materials and sourcing pricing. Many students, including Pierce, secured roles well before their second year ended, with the industry hungry for new talent. His hands-on approach has also earned him recognition, winning an award and an offer to join the Industry Advisory Board for Construction Management as a student representative.
For Pierce, balancing work and study has been the most challenging aspect of university life. Learning to say no to work and prioritising studies is a lesson that was hard to learn, but has helped him immensely. While Pierce tries to avoid late nights, he uses early mornings to stay on top of assignments. One of his most effective strategies has been creating a dedicated workspace outside of home and university distractions.
His involvement in extracurricular activities has also been pivotal. As president of the Young Builders Alliance, he has organised networking events connecting students with industry leaders and admits it can be stressful at times, but the benefits of gaining experience and meeting people in the field, outweighs the cost.
Pierce’s dedication has paid off, securing a graduate program with Bilt, a leading construction company. The role will see him work on diverse projects, including student accommodation and the new movie studio in Malaga. While he’s not planning further studies anytime soon, he’s open to pursuing an MBA after gaining more industry experience.
His advice for aspiring students is simple; get involved! Through being involved in associations like the Young Builders Alliance, going to class consistently and ensuring the lecturers know and see him asking questions, Pierce has found that it truly can make a big difference. He attests to going to class, catching up with friends over coffee, and just enjoying the experience. As he reflects on his journey, Pierce is grateful for the supportive environment and the friendships he’s made along the way and admittedly knows that he will miss uni, but is excited for his future beyond his degree!
