Joselle, Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Inc.: Advize Career Interview

A chemical engineering degree unexpectedly led to designing the spire of the Philippines' tallest building, then a fulfilling career in construction management at DMCI Project Developers Inc.

This individual's journey showcases a transition from structural engineering to overseeing massive residential developments, including a current 47-story project, managing hundreds of personnel and numerous stakeholders.

The daily routine involves early mornings, site walkthroughs, and constant problem-solving, demanding analytical skills, creative thinking, and strong leadership.

The most rewarding aspects include mentoring young engineers and blue-collar workers, and the tangible satisfaction of seeing completed projects grace the Manila skyline.

While the industry presents challenges—demanding work, tight deadlines, and a male-dominated environment—the ability to rally teams, a strong work ethic, and networking skills are highlighted as key to success.

Aspiring professionals should expect a demanding workload and prioritize teamwork, learning from experience, and leveraging academic success and extracurricular activities to build essential leadership qualities.

This compelling narrative demonstrates how a unique path, driven by a desire for tangible results and a passion for mentorship, can lead to a significant impact in the construction industry.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Joselle Civil

Construction Manager

DMCI Project Developers Inc.

University of the Philippines - Diliman, 2013

UCLA Anderson, MBA Candidate '25

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Engineering - Civil

Real Estate

Operations and Project Management

International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete

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Career Path of a Construction Manager at DMCI

Joselle's career path began with a chemical engineering degree, but a shift to civil engineering, influenced by their parents' careers, led to a role designing the spire of the Philippines' tallest building. After three years as a structural engineer, a desire to see "how the stuff I was designing were actually being built" motivated a move into construction management, progressing from a management trainee rotating through various departments to leading their own team on a major residential development.

Career Path of a Construction Manager at DMCI

Main Responsibilities Of A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers Inc.

Joselle, a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Inc., leads a large team of "around 20 engineers and 600 workers and subcontractors" to build a "47-story residential development," demonstrating significant leadership and project management scale. Their main responsibility is ensuring the project's completion "safely, on time, within budget, and at par, or exceeding, the set quality standards," requiring extensive coordination with numerous stakeholders including "upper management, the architects, the trade contractors, and even...neighbors and the local government units."

Main Responsibilities Of A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers Inc.

A Day in the Life of a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Inc.

A Construction Manager's day at DMCI Project Developers Inc. begins at 6:30 AM with a toolbox meeting and a site walkthrough, "climbing to the top most floor" initially, then focusing on critical areas. The remainder of the day involves reviewing deliverables, addressing concerns, attending multiple daily and weekly meetings, and providing project status reports to management.

A Day in the Life of a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Inc.

Most Important Skills For A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers Inc.

Joselle, a Construction Manager, highlights the crucial blend of analytical and critical thinking skills with creative problem-solving needed for the role, stating that "no day in construction is the same". The importance of a strong work ethic, leadership, and teamwork is also emphasized, as the ability to "rally everyone towards the common goal" is paramount in managing large teams to successfully complete projects.

Most Important Skills For A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers Inc.

Favorite Parts of Being a Construction Manager at DMCI

Joselle, a Construction Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role to be "guid[ing] young engineers at the start of their career," impacting their professional and personal lives. This extends to the blue-collar workers, where Joselle finds fulfillment in directly improving "their livelihood and giv[ing] them a better chance of life."

Favorite Parts of Being a Construction Manager at DMCI

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Construction Manager At DMCI

Joselle's biggest challenge as a Construction Manager at DMCI is the inherently "difficult, dirty, and dangerous" nature of construction, demanding work under tight budgets and schedules while managing numerous stakeholders including superiors, architects, subcontractors, engineers, workers, and even local government units and neighbors. This high-pressure environment, exacerbated by the Philippines' hot climate, underscores the demanding realities of the career.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Construction Manager At DMCI

Favorite Parts of Working in the Construction Industry as a Construction Manager

Joselle's favorite aspect of the construction industry is the tangible nature of the work; "the output is tangible. You can actually see the product of your hard work," allowing Joselle to instill pride in their team by highlighting their contribution to the Manila skyline and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Construction Industry as a Construction Manager

What Type of Person Thrives in Construction, According to a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers

Joselle, a Construction Manager, describes thriving construction professionals as "hard workers," possessing "street smarts" and creativity alongside analytical skills. The industry rewards strong leadership, as it's "a team sport" requiring individuals to "rally their troops."

What Type of Person Thrives in Construction, According to a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers

What a Construction Manager at DMCI Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Construction Industry

Joselle, a Construction Manager, advises aspiring construction professionals to understand the demanding workload, stating that "you really need to put in the work...show up for all six days of work". Equally crucial, yet often overlooked, is the significance of teamwork and relationship building for achieving optimal results, as "every day...you will need to work with other people".

What a Construction Manager at DMCI Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Construction Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Construction Managers At DMCI

Civil engineering offers many entry-level options, including roles in structural design firms or, as Joselle explains, directly in construction as a field engineer where "there's actually really no handholding." This path involves managing "your own team of workers" and reporting to a construction manager, providing immediate responsibility and career growth.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Construction Managers At DMCI

Significant Career Lesson From A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers

Joselle's experience playing competitive ultimate Frisbee for over a decade instilled valuable leadership skills, which Joselle directly applied to their role as a construction manager, illustrating that "leadership in particular is learned in practice." This highlights the importance of practical experience in developing crucial leadership skills, a key element in Joselle's career success.

Significant Career Lesson From A Construction Manager At DMCI Project Developers

College Experiences That Helped a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Succeed

Joselle's college success stemmed from prioritizing academics—"I was a nerd in college, so that was my priority"—and graduating with honors. Networking played a crucial role, with friendships forged outside Joselle's major, particularly with civil engineering students met through Ultimate Frisbee, proving invaluable in developing teamwork skills essential for a construction management career.

College Experiences That Helped a Construction Manager at DMCI Project Developers Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Construction Manager's Career at DMCI

Joselle, a Construction Manager, describes a male-dominated industry where she, "really have[s] to be assertive" and "prove [herself] every day" to be respected. Despite the challenges of a heavily skewed gender ratio—with only three female construction managers among 15 colleagues—the company's respectful culture and Joselle's perseverance have helped her find a balance and achieve success in this demanding field.

How Identity Has Influenced a Construction Manager's Career at DMCI

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joselle-civil/