Alba Alonso

"Alba is a Construction Planner working out how projects will be built, including costs and timescales. Alba needs to be organised and methodical and pay attention to detail, as well as having good financial awareness, which suits the ‘Innovator’ type. She and her team meet with clients on a regular basis to discuss their needs and the project’s technical challenges. Being outgoing and good at communicating is very important for her to understand what her clients want and to provide a good service, so she really fits with the ‘Coordinator’ type. Alba works as part of an Engineering team and likes to exchange ideas to achieve the common goal, win the jobs and make a success of them, which shows how she matches with the ‘Manager’ type!"

"Alba works as a Construction Planner in the pre-construction department of a company building concrete framed structures such as large office buildings, schools and stadiums. Her role is to support and win project bids for her company and to provide technical support to the construction teams on site after projects have been awarded.As a Construction Planner, Alba discusses the deadlines and technical aspects of a project with her team. She develops a programme that dictates how each project will be constructed on site, using the best construction methods, most efficient resources, and meeting deadlines. Every day is different for Alba. She can be working on a specific project for a period of 2 to 3 weeks, reviewing all the drawings and technical documentation, and discussing the best approach with her colleagues. She does calculations and starts planning the activities, then she drafts a document to explain the programme to the client. She works with different people in her department to put a proposal together and frequently attends meetings with clients and designers to discuss their expectations. Alba finds it exciting when she and her team win a job for the company. It is a rewarding moment and makes the effort she puts in on a daily basis worthwhile. In addition she is able to see the finished projects and to know she has been a part of them."

"Alba’s parents always encouraged her to do what was suitable for her. She had family members working in construction and always felt motivated to study Engineering. Alba actually failed Maths in college but she did not give up at the first hurdle. She went on to study engineering at university in Spain and excelled! She really loved what she was doing and went on to achieve a Post Graduate with Distinction, qualifying with a master’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering. She then started working in her present company as part of a graduate Engineering programme, with a starting salary of £26,000. From there, she became a full-time Planner in the Tender department."

"In her spare time, Alba loves to paint and to meet with friends for drinks, dinner and dancing! She has made great friends through her job and they get involved in activities together outside of work. Alba also loves to travel the world. Her company is based in London and she is enjoying the opportunity to see new parts of the city that she didn't even know existed! There are plenty of progression opportunities for Planners both in and outside of her company. It is a respected and in-demand job with a lot of interesting projects! In the future, Alba can see herself advancing in her career, perhaps into a Manager role but still working in Engineering."