Kinga Szulc has shoulder-length hair, and is wearing a smart suit jacket.
Kinga Szulc has shoulder-length hair, and is wearing a smart suit jacket.

UWL BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management student wins CIOB certificate of excellence

Intro

Final year student Kinga Szulc, who has been studying the construction project management course part time alongside working, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in recognition of achieving the highest mark in her degree work, which is CIOB-accredited. 

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Kinga, who has been working as a project manager for an architectural glazing firm alongside studying for her course, originally worked in hospitality, however she felt drawn to the idea of working in construction.

Kinga explains:

It was always a little passion of mine. My dad and brother both work in construction, so they’d talk a lot about it and I used to visit them onsite. I really like seeing how things are built and buildings are created.” 

You go from a drawing on paper, or an AutoCAD image and you see how this becomes a hospital or blocks of flats, she says. 

Kinga continues:

As challenging as it can be, studying and working means you get a full understanding of the industry. The knowledge you gain at university helps you to get a good job.” 

Kinga adds that while there are no other women in her team at work, she was delighted to have other women studying alongside her on her degree course at UWL. 

I'm very happy to see that women are studying this. The industry has been male dominated for too long, but it is changing.” 

Her advice to other women looking to enter the construction industry:

Don't overthink it, just do it. In this industry you have to be tough, but don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't do it just because you're a woman. It is not the 1960s anymore.” 

Senior Lecturer in Engineering and the Built Environment Dr Waheed Oseni said:

We are delighted to see Kinga achieving such high marks during her studies with us. UWL is all about preparing students for interesting and fulfilling careers and it is important that we also champion equality of opportunity.” 

Construction project managers are responsible for ensuring projects are procured, designed, and contracted through a proper tendering process, as well as being delivered on time and on budget.

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