In celebration of International Women's Day, Colliers' interview women from diverse backgrounds and roles within the property industry, including Berri Jones – Project Manager, Project Leaders, Colliers as they share insights into their careers in real estate.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the property industry and how did your journey start?

I was previously working in Financial Services and had some very close friends in the Property industry. I was looking for a new challenge in a different industry, and they all loved their careers and encouraged me to move into Project Management. I joined Colliers as a Project Engineer and have progressed as my experience and skills have developed to now being in the role of Project Manager.

Can you share a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it?

Changing industries meant that I was moving from a senior role at my previous employment where I was considered an expert, to an entry-level role at Colliers where I was learning a lot of new information very quickly. I leveraged my previous experience and transferrable skills to establish strong connections with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders. I relied on these relationships to then provide advice and guidance as I progressed through my career.

What is the best advice you have ever received, and how has it impacted your career?

“Give yourself license to change your opinion”. In my role, I am required to be decisive, solve problems and provide direction every day. This means I usually form an opinion quite quickly which might not always be the right one. Allowing myself to change my opinion as more information is received, or more perspectives are heard means that I am able to maintain an open mindset and ensure a fair and balanced approach is taken in my work.

What achievements are you most proud of in your career so far?

Handing over my first project that I had worked on from commencement to completion. It was a new public school in Western Sydney that I started on my first day at Colliers. It was a vital piece of infrastructure for the community and the culmination of three years of design meetings, contractor management and construction during Covid and significant weather impacts.

What advice would you give young women and men considering a career in property?

The Property Industry is a diverse, challenging, dynamic and fast-paced industry that can be so rewarding to be a part of. There are endless opportunities for learning, growth and development and our industry has very tangible impacts on our communities. If you are interested in a career in Property, I would reach out to people in the roles you are considering, to gain real-life insight into the best pathway to get to you where you want to be.