If you had asked me 12 months ago whether I saw Project Management in my future, I wouldn’t have known how to answer.

Back then, I was a second-year architecture student, fully committed to the idea that my one and only career path would be as an architect. I had convinced myself that the skills I developed in my degree had a narrow purpose – relevant only to traditional design roles. But that mindset shifted dramatically when Gripfast allowed me to explore Project Management, a completely different side of the construction industry from what I knew.

When I started my internship with Gripfast nine months ago, I was nervous—genuinely terrified, to be honest. I had mentally prepared myself to be completely out of my depth, but that assumption was quickly proven wrong. The soft skills that I spent the last two years perfecting were immediately transferred into the realm of Project Management:

Here are three that stood out:

1. Communication – Whether verbal or visual, clear communication is essential for managing stakeholders and keeping the project team aligned toward a shared goal.
2. Organisation– When dealing with multiple moving project parts, managing your own time is just as important as managing the project’s time.
3. Critical Thinking – Projects never go exactly to plan. Challenges can manifest quickly, demanding fast, effective decision-making and creative problem-solving.

What hit me that day was how familiar these skills felt. Throughout my architecture degree, I’d been communicating design intent, managing team dynamics and assessment deadlines, and thinking on my feet to tackle feedback and revise solutions. The only difference was the setting.

Layered on top of that were other transferable strengths: a working knowledge of construction and architectural terminology, the ability to interpret construction documents, and an understanding of NCC standards, safety protocols, and risk management. Together, these helped me make a surprisingly smooth transition into Project Management.

But what shocked me most was how much this profession would deepen those skills. I began to see design not just through the lens of aesthetics or function, but also through the impact it has on time, cost, safety, and lifecycle management. Gripfast’s mentorship has played a huge role in this development, giving me the tools and confidence to grow beyond the limits I once imagined for myself.

Now, in my final year of university, I live each day with the same drive, whether I’m contributing to a project at Gripfast or collaborating on a design in a tutorial. Project Management has unlocked a new way for me to apply what I’ve learned, and more importantly, a new vision for what my career could be.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue exploring this path post-graduation, while keeping my mind open to further study, perhaps a Master’s in Project Management and later a Master’s in Architecture. I’ve realised that professional growth isn’t a linear path, and that the most fulfilling careers are often the ones we didn’t plan for.

Georgia Dingle