Jonathan Lewis-Oliver
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Faithful+Gould
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After finishing at Exeter I did a year away in New Zealand, working at a school. Upon my return I got a job as a Quantity Surveyor in Exeter and have been working here for the last 3 years. I have also completed a Masters in Quantity Surveying, distance learning through the University College of Estate Management.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
Utilising my Civil Engineering degree and staying in the construction industry I chose Quantity Surveying as it is a less design focused but more client facing role. As a Quantity Surveyor you are more involved in the whole life cycle of the project, often from inception through to the end of construction. I have been lucky to work on a variety of projects which keeps work interesting and also benefits career development.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The University has incredible sporting facilities and performs at a high level. I played in the Exeter University Men’s Hockey Club for three years and this was definitely the most enjoyable element of University life. For studying the campus is constantly improving, everything is easily accessible and it is certainly one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I chose Exeter because of the strong engineering programme, incredible sports facilities and general feel of the campus environment on my post offer open day.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The course itself is essential for learning how to work hard and meet deadlines whilst balancing other commitments. However, one of the most important skills that you gain at University is from the social side of University life; a large part of my career is client and co-worker relations.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
It would be a good idea to obtain some work experience. This will help get your ‘foot in the door’ with employers and certainly help in job interviews.
What are your plans for the future?
The plan is to get chartered within the next couple of years.
