graduate project coordinator
Name: Tanayah Blackhall
Career stage: Early Career – Less than 5 years' experience
Working: On-site
High School Subjects: Business Management, Literature, Media, Global Politics, Geography and Health and Human Development
Favourite: Media – I loved the creative freedom to explore content development in producing a magazine, and the processes involved in creative work such as visual communication and expression of individuality
Further study: University
where and what: Double Degree - Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)/Bachelor of Property and Real Estate at Deakin University, Geelong
"I love that a career in construction offers continuous learning opportunities. The environment you work in is fast paced, and there is no ceiling for growth."
the inside scoop…
What does a Graduate Project Coordinator actually do? As a Graduate Project Coordinator, my responsibilities include Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) coordination, managing documentation and reporting. I contribute to the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) outcomes, with a Green Star accreditation target on the project. This involves coordinating with subcontractors, consultants and team members. Additionally, I manage a small project package from award through to on-site delivery.
What does a day in your life at work look like? I start my day with inductions at 7am, where workers are required to upload their competencies and sign into their SWMS documentation. Following this, my day-to-day can involve a mix of on-site tasks, administrative work and collaboration with various project stakeholders. This can include site inspections, meetings, documentation, incident reporting, monitoring and audits. My weekly schedule includes consistent safety walks and meetings to ensure regular oversight and communication. However, my day-to-day tasks differ depending on the evolving needs of the project, the construction phase, which require continuous adjustment and prioritising of tasks.
Tell us about a favourite project you're working on: I have loved working on the Nyaal Banyul, Geelong Convention and Events Centre project. The project includes a 1000 seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces. More recently, I have transitioned across to the Barwon Health Women’s and Children's Hospital which will provide world-class maternity and paediatric facilities and deliver additional capacity. Both projects serve my local community and contribute towards positive social impact. The hospital project resonates with me on a personal level, as it supports healthcare workers, including my partner.
What do your friends and family think about working in construction? Family and friends that are unfamiliar with the industry often have misconceptions around roles, gender bias, involvement on-site, stress and working hours. Through experience, I have had conversations around the industry becoming more inclusive, and the incredible and wide range of career pathway opportunities.
Tell us about a time you made a difference in your work: Within my role, a responsibility has been to manage local partnerships that will foster sustainable development within the community. Within this space, I was involved in collaborating with Deakin University’s Women in Design and Construction weeklong immersion program. I facilitated a site tour for a group of high school and university students at the Geelong Convention and Events Centre project. This tour provided the students with a firsthand glimpse into the scale and complexity of the project, highlighting various career opportunities within the industry. Following the tour, a numerous students expressed that this exposure has sparked their interest in exploring pathways that they had not previously considered. On a day-to-day basis, each team member plays a crucial role in advancing the project’s success. However, moments like this underscore the broader influence we have, extending beyond the immediate project to effect positive change within the industry at large.
Do you have any advice for young women picking a career? There are a few important considerations. Firstly, being underrepresented as a gender can be both challenging and rewarding. You can play a role in improving and fostering the culture of diversity and inclusion; however, this does not always occur easily or quickly. Secondly, construction can, depending on your career aspirations, involve long hours or travel. Therefore, impacting work-life balance. I would recommend mapping out a plan with those it will influence, communicate early and often and set priorities. Overall, workplaces are becoming more accommodating, creating a more sustainable pathway for females. With more young women entering the industry, this will only continue to have a more positive influence.
Who has inspired you in your career?: I have been fortunate to work with an incredible team, where several members have inspired me, and contributed towards my career growth. I have been encouraged by my site managers approach to challenging situations, where he remains calm, whilst holding a visible leadership stance and developing solutions that are considerate of others. Our project director balances a demanding workload, whilst remaining personable and holding space to support others. The sustainability manager I have been fortunate to work with remotely, has also been a huge role model, particularly as a female within the industry. She demonstrates dedication to her work, with strong diligence. As a leader, I am encouraged by her assertiveness and consideration, skillfully guiding others. She has further sparked my interest in sustainability as a career pathway, where I hope to have more exposure.
Tanayah is open to engaging further via: Speaking at a high school, Mentoring a student
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Tanayah Blackhall engagement enquiry" and we'll pass your message on.
