Answer extracted from the Pegasus Radio podcast — listen to the full episode below.
Do construction and project management graduates need to start at entry level?
A degree does not exempt you from entry-level positions. Construction and project management graduates must start in trainee roles and put in genuine work before advancing to more senior responsibilities, regardless of their qualification.
The misconception that a university degree fast-tracks career progression is common across construction and related fields. However, as discussed in Pegasus Radio, the reality requires patience and foundational experience regardless of educational achievement.
The five rungs of the career ladder still apply
Mackey illustrates this point with a contemporary parallel: his son completed a degree in film and television production. Despite qualification, his son began work as a floor runner on set productions—a foundational entry-level position—before progressing to associate producer and eventually director roles. The pathway to senior levels requires time and demonstrated competence at each stage.
The same principle applies directly to quantity surveyors (QS) and project management professionals. A newly graduated QS or project manager should expect to begin in trainee or assistant roles within established practices, absorbing practical knowledge alongside their theoretical foundation. This is not punishment for lacking experience; it is standard progression across the profession.
Mackey's own career trajectory reinforces this reality. Over a five-year period in Brisbane, he made more job moves than he had in his first 15 years of UK career, navigating different market structures and learning environments until finding the right fit. The willingness to accept lateral or slightly backward steps to find the right organization and role often proves more valuable long term than refusing entry-level placement.
Effort and genuine commitment shape progression
What distinguishes professionals who advance is not their starting title but their genuine commitment to the work. As explored in the episode, career progression mirrors the philosophy of sacrifice: it is not a sacrifice but a choice. If you are serious about reaching senior levels, you must invest the effort and time upfront, understanding that the foundational rungs cannot be skipped regardless of academic credentials.
"You've got to have a relationship and be so embedded with that client. If you were to walk out the door, that's going to be a hole in the company's bottom line."
Matthew Mackey — Director at Contolo Group. Matthew Mackey spent 16 years in Brisbane, Australia, building Arcadis' cost management service from 2010 onward. He stepped back from director-level responsibilities in Manchester to join a small local Australian firm of 30–40 people as a senior cost manager, making multiple strategic job moves over five years to navigate Australia's different market structure. He built a significant personal brand through running a podcast, managing major networking groups, and appearing on Australian financial television before rejoining the UK market in late 2024.
This insight speaks to a deeper career truth: the episode also explores how embedding yourself within an organization creates real value that transcends your formal title, a lesson learned through years of practical experience across two continents.
Key takeaways
- A degree does not exempt graduates from entry-level trainee positions in construction, QS, or project management roles.
- Foundational rungs of the career ladder cannot be skipped; effort and genuine work must precede advancement to senior levels.
- Strategic job mobility over time—even lateral or slightly backward moves—often accelerates long-term career development more than refusing entry-level placement.
- Serious career progression requires sustained effort and choice; it is not a shortcut but a demonstrated commitment to the profession.
See also
What speed and procurement advantages does the Australian market offer compared to the UK?
When Australian clients commit to a project, they move at pace with relatively quick planning processes, unlike the UK where regulatory frameworks create longer lead times and approval cycles.
What structural factors limit the development of the QS profession in Australia?
The Australian construction industry is heavily unionized, with all trade contractors generally belonging to one union, creating a fundamentally different professional and contractual landscape compared to the UK.
How does career progression differ for professionals relocating from the UK to Australia?
Relocating professionals typically experience a significant step backward in responsibility level. Mackey moved from director level to senior cost manager, requiring multiple strategic moves over five years to rebuild career trajectory in the Australian market.