Breaking Through Barriers as an International Professional
As an international student from India pursuing my master’s in construction and project management in Belfast, my path to professional development took an unexpected but rewarding turn when I found MoreConsult. My story demonstrates how one opportunity can transform a challenging job search into a fulfilling career journey.
The International Student’s Challenge
After graduating in December 2024, I faced the all-too-familiar challenge that many international students encounter – employers consistently asking for UK or Ireland work experience that I simply didn’t have. Despite submitting numerous applications, this barrier seemed insurmountable until a chance encounter changed everything.
The Door That Opened
During my extensive job search, I came across MoreConsult and decided to take a chance by reaching out directly to David, the Director at MoreConsult, hoping for some guidance in the construction field. To my surprise, he was incredibly receptive, offering me time for a conversation that would ultimately lead to my first professional career opportunity. Following our discussion, I was assigned several tasks to demonstrate my potential – and that’s where my journey with MoreConsult officially began.
Six Months of Transformation
Looking back after six months, I can hardly recognise the nervous graduate who first walked through those doors. Each project has presented unique challenges that forced me to think critically and adapt quickly. There were days when I felt overwhelmed, questioning if I could meet expectations, but with each small victory, my confidence grew.
One of the most valuable aspects of my time here has been the dedicated learning sessions David conducts. These aren’t just formal training – they’re interactive discussions where we explore complex project scenarios, break down real-world problems, and develop practical solutions. David has a gift and a skill for making complicated concepts accessible, often sharing personal anecdotes from his years in the industry that bring the lessons to life. These sessions have accelerated my learning curve tremendously.
A Culture That Nurtures Growth
What struck me immediately about working with MoreConsult was the supportive atmosphere that permeates the company culture. David’s patience and guidance proved invaluable as I navigated what was – and continues to be – a significant learning curve.
I still remember making an error in my first month that could have affected a project timeline. Instead of criticism, I received constructive feedback and a spontaneous mini lesson on double-checking methodologies. The friendly team creates an environment where questions are welcomed, and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities rather than failures.
What truly sets my experience apart is my manager’s approach to mentorship. He didn’t just delegate tasks; he invited me into strategic conversations with clients, demonstrating how construction project programming requires both technical precision and collaborative problem-solving. Sitting in on these meetings, such as tender bid reviews, was like getting a masterclass in professional communication. I watched how he translated complex technical challenges into clear explanations, negotiated tender programme activity adjustments, and built consensus among the bid team with competing priorities. This front-row seat to client interactions taught me skills no textbook could cover.
From Theory to Real-World Practice
Before joining MoreConsult, I had a one-dimensional view of project planning, believing it was primarily software-driven. My experience quickly revealed a much more complex reality. I learned that effective planning requires you to mentally place yourself on the construction site, visualising challenges and solutions from multiple perspectives.
I’ll never forget my first meeting on site, a major highways scheme, where I had lots of questions on the project such as the expected productivity outputs for different earthworks tasks including excavation of peat material. The highly experienced project team addressed and explained in such an understandable way.
Forensic Delay Analysis
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of my professional development has been my introduction to delay analysis work – an area I had never previously explored. Working on my first delay analysis report was both daunting and exciting. Combing through contemporaneous project records, identifying the actual critical path, and measuring the delay impacts taught me patience and attention to detail I didn’t know I possessed.
This new knowledge has been invaluable, helping me understand how delays cascade through projects and, more importantly, how they can be anticipated and mitigated during the planning phase. I now approach planning with a much more proactive mindset regarding potential timeline challenges.
Growth Beyond Technical Skills
Beyond the technical expertise I’ve developed, my time at MoreConsult has shaped me as a person. I’ve become more resilient when facing challenges, more confident in voicing my ideas, and more comfortable with uncertainty. The collaborative nature of our work has improved my communication skills, especially when explaining technical concepts to various stakeholders such as Contractors and Designers.
I’ve also developed a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives. Working with team members from different backgrounds has shown me how varied approaches can lead to more comprehensive solutions. I find myself being more open-minded in all aspects of life, not just at work.
Being included in client-facing conversations has accelerated my professional maturity. Observing how David balances technical expertise with interpersonal skills has shown me what true professionalism looks like. I’ve learned that earning client trust comes not just from delivering accurate work, but from building relationships based on transparency, responsiveness, and genuine problem-solving partnership, with a little bit of humour too.
The Journey Continues
What makes my experience at MoreConsult particularly valuable is that the learning never stops. Each day brings new challenges that require innovative solutions, pushing me to expand my knowledge and capabilities. This dynamic environment ensures that I’m constantly growing as a professional in the construction industry.
As I continue my professional journey with MoreConsult, I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop skills that extend far beyond what I learned in my academic programme. The practical experience I’m gaining provides me with insights that would have been impossible to acquire through classroom learning alone.
Looking ahead, I aim to further develop my expertise in delay analysis and project planning while taking on complex projects. I hope to eventually contribute to innovative approaches in construction planning methodologies that can help streamline processes and improve outcomes for clients.
My experience here has laid a solid foundation for these aspirations, proving that sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to look beyond the “experience required” checkbox to discover your potential.