Project Manager
Name: Kat Kister
Career stage: Senior - 10+ years' experience
Working: Office
High School Subjects: I studied overseas, so the system was a bit different.
Favourite: Art and math
Further study: University
where and what: Master of Architecture
“It is great to see the building go from 2D to 3D, and then seeing what you built in Revit come to fruition from the ground up in real life.”
the inside scoop…
What does a Project Manager actually do? I work as a client side PM. This means I am a tourist guide for people that want to build a project but might not have a lot experience in construction. I make sure that all people involved know what to do and when to do it and try my best to avoid unpleasant surprises for everyone in the project from the first day through to moving in.
What does a day in your life at work look like? As a Project Manager, I only need a small laptop and internet to do my job. On a daily basis, I join online meetings with clients, consultants and design teams. I research what needs to be done next in the project, how to best do it and who is the best person to do it. When I have projects in construction, I have to go to site once monthly to monitor progress.
What's the best part of your job? It is pretty cool to walk through the CBD, point at buildings and say that I worked on them. Most professionals don't get to have a huge building as the result of their work.
What made you realise construction could be for you? As a kid I liked Tetris. When I first tried to get a floorplan together, I knew all the Tetris I played, I played for a reason.
What's the best thing about working in construction? I understand how things are done. I don't need anyone to tell me how to change a light bulb, put up a shelf or install a kitchen. DYI is my b....!
Tell us about a time you made a difference in your work. The Shepherd Center is an educational center for hearing impaired children. One of my projects it to build their new center in Sydney's west pro bono. I rallied a wonderful design and construction team that all agreed to work at cost or pro bono. I got to see a child's hearing implant being turned on for the first time in the new facility and how it looks when you hear your mother's voice for the first time. It was really great knowing that I helped them help hearing impaired kids lead a normal life.
What are you excited about in terms of sustainability in construction? The construction industry is responsible for 30% of CO2 emissions. I believe that it needs people that are passionate about the environment working in the industry to change the massive impact the construction industry has on global warming. As part of the construction industry you get to influence what kind of building you build and how. You can find ways to make a sustainable building cheaper, more aesthetically pleasing or plainly explain the benefits of it to your client in a clearer way. And it is fantastic, to see the result and be able to say that you actively contributed to a better environment by improving the CO2 emission of a massive building.
Kat is open to engaging further via: Speaking at a high school
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Kat Kister" and we'll pass your message on.