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 Exploration, Career Development, Project Management, Overcoming Challenges, Real-World Examples
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joselle Civil
Construction Manager
DMCI Project Developers Inc.
University of the Philippines - Diliman, 2013
UCLA Anderson, MBA Candidate '25
Engineering - Civil
Architecture, Construction & Design, Real Estate
Operations and Project Management
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Joselle's career path showcases the value of exploring different fields. Initially majoring in Chemical Engineering, she shifted to Civil Engineering, influenced by her parents' careers and her interest in the built world.
2. Her experience as a structural engineer, culminating in designing the spire and crown of the tallest building in the Philippines, highlights the possibility of making significant contributions early in one's career.
3. Joselle's transition from design to construction management, starting as a management trainee and rotating through various departments before leading her own team, emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and the potential for career growth within the construction industry.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
I started my undergraduate studies in the Philippines. Initially, I was a chemical engineering major because I enjoyed and was good at math, and also liked the sciences. I thought that was the path for me.
However, towards the end of my first year of college, I realized I was more interested in the built environment. That's why I switched to civil engineering. My parents, both civil engineers working for real estate developers and construction companies, were also a significant influence.
Although an internship wasn't required for graduation, after passing my board exam in the Philippines, I worked as a structural engineer for a multinational design consultancy firm. We designed high-rise residential and commercial buildings in both the Philippines and Hong Kong, where their main office was located.
My proudest accomplishment at the time was designing the spire and crown structure of the tallest building in the Philippines. I did that for about three years. However, I realized I wanted to understand how the structures I designed were actually built.
I decided to move into construction and joined the construction arm of one of the largest real estate developers in the Philippines. I began as a management trainee, rotating through different departments, including design and engineering, design development, project development, quality management, and construction.
After about three and a half years in that role, I was promoted to a construction management position. I led my own team and was responsible for a residential development in the heart of Metro Manila.