Markus’ love of Europe began from a young age. Having lived and studied in different countries, he was well suited to join Mace to take up the international opportunities on offer. After gaining a wealth of experience through the Graduate Development Programme, he is now well on his way to developing a successful career in project management. He gives us a bit of insight into his background and career below.
What did you do prior to joining Mace?
I studied for my International Baccalaureate (similar to A-Levels) in Switzerland, selecting subjects such as mathematics and physics as I knew that my passion would be found in the field of engineering and construction. I then went on to study civil engineering at a UK university and got my first experience of construction during my placement year. Even though construction management was not the field of my studies, I believe that this opportunity was most beneficial to getting me to where I am now, as I got to work on site full time, manage trade contractors, influence and challenge the design, as well as meet every stakeholder. Simply put, I was fortunate to witness the construction process as a whole.
Looking back, it was those twelve months on site that made me discover my passion for construction management, which, combined with my cultural knowledge of Europe, made Mace the perfect fit for my career.
How have you found your first year at Mace?
I joined Mace in August 2015, a mere two days after my graduation from university. Being accepted onto the Graduate Development Programme made a world of difference to my career aspirations. It has helped me obtain a strong foundation in all areas of our growing industry. For someone who is only just beginning their career in this industry, the programme is a fantastic investment, and I could not recommend it enough.
Furthermore, having the opportunity to work abroad so early in my career has also greatly influenced my career objectives. Being able to demonstrate to our clients that borders do not affect our ability to deliver high quality projects emphasises the value we add as a business.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Mace?
I will always be a strong advocate for learning on the job. What I love about my work is that from day one, I have been in the midst of it all. I have had the chance to both be involved in the finer design details, as well as being exposed to the ‘bigger picture’.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into what you do?
What I believe, and what I love about this career, is that nearly all routes can get you here. What I can say for near definite is that your university degree doesn’t have to be specific to project management. If anything, a separate degree can be very useful and provides a unique perspective.
With that in mind, I would also strongly recommend pursuing a graduate development programme, as it provides you with a 360° view of construction and hence guides you in selecting the right career path.
What do you hope you will be doing in the next ten years?
My ultimate goal is to become a country director. To my knowledge, Mace has always had the vision to expand its brand abroad, and I would want nothing more than to be at the forefront of that next step.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m a very keen tennis player; having played since the age of seven. I even won a few local tournaments when I lived in France!
Ready to kickstart your career with Mace? Discover their live roles and apply here.