Exploring Specification Consultancy in Architecture: Meet Our Three Graduates Working at SpecStudio

What are your academic backgrounds?

Michael: I graduated in 2021 from the University of Liverpool School of Architecture with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. The course taught me a lot about the industry and different disciplines involved, whilst enabling me to develop a core knowledge and understanding of design and construction.

Sara: I graduated from Manchester School of Architecture with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.?The course was enjoyable and challenging, and enabled me to learn and educate myself in multiple fields; architecture, construction, urban planning and arts.

Oana: I am a recent Honours graduate from Manchester School of Architecture. I started this course almost four years ago, when I moved to the UK from Romania. I enjoyed the course as it introduced me to the architectural and construction industry as I wished to pursue a career in this domain since my childhood.

What attracted you to want to become a Specification Consultant?

Michael: During my time at university, the design aspect of the course was great and heavily focused on however sometimes at the cost of neglecting the technical aspects of the design and the details involved. As a Specification Consultant, to be able to work across a broad range of projects, supporting and liaising with a wide variety of clients allows me to constantly learn and integrate their design aspirations into detailed specification documentation.?

Sara: I was intrigued by the technicalities that the job implied. Specification writing implies a lot of the construction side of things in architecture and after my final year project I started having a growing interest in detailing, stages of construction and sustainability, thus basing my job search in firms where I could practice and explore that more.?

Oana: I've always had a strong preference for technical fields and projects throughout university. I was attracted to Specification Consultancy due to the combination of the technical proficiency, communication abilities, collaborative nature, and capacity to contribute to project success.?

How have you found the transition from university life to starting full time work?

Michael: I enjoyed the transition from university life to starting full-time work as it provided me with a structured day that allowed me to plan my workload and time more efficiently, in contrast to university where there would be limited contact time and plenty of self-learning. Being based in the Manchester office made the transition to full-time work much easier, as I always had a colleague to support me in my understanding of new processes and to answer any questions I had when completing tasks.

Sara: It has been quite challenging and enjoyable at the same time. It takes patience with yourself, and others and it’s about adapting to a new lifestyle that most students are not used to. I would say being patient with yourself and learning to manage your time in your favour is one of the most valuable skills I’ve learnt so far.?

Oana: The transition from university life to full-time work has been a challenging experience. While it required adjustments and a shift in mindset, it has provided valuable opportunities for my personal and professional growth.?As a graduate, I had to quickly adapt to the practical aspects of specification consulting, including understanding industry standards, familiarising myself with relevant codes and regulations, and learning how to effectively communicate with different people from within the industry.?

Tell us about a typical working week??

Michael: Typically, each working day and week varies due to the priority and scale of different project demands, which makes for a busy and productive week. Each day can involve a range of tasks; from reviewing design drawings, researching project related information, advising and communicating with clients, attending client and team meetings and of course writing the specification documentation itself.

Sara: For most parts of the week, we are in the office based in Manchester, alongside co-workers and it is a very friendly and open environment, where I get to ask questions about work on the spot, while learning by doing.?The job is project-based, so working in the office offered me the chance to ask questions whilst working towards deadlines.

Oana: A typical working week starts at our office based in Manchester city centre.?It is a 9-5 working environment with the flexibility of working from home for 2 days a week which I think is really helpful for the work-life balance. What I found really helpful was the fact that from the first weeks in the firm I had the opportunity to attend client meetings together with my colleagues.

What are some of the challenges that you have had to overcome?

Michael: Keeping to a structured schedule in regard to reaching project deadlines. As there will be multiple projects running simultaneously, it is important to manage project expectations and client deadlines. There are also many different types of terminology/ abbreviations used within the architectural industry that I was not aware of, with more still to learn; there could even have been a module at university purely for architectural industry terminology/ language.

Sara: I think the most challenging part of the job is adapting to every project’s inidividuality and bespoke qualities. On the one hand, every client works differently and I think processing different information and switching from one project to another in a short time frame has been challenging.?Also, the amount of technical information, terminologies and standards changing can be quite intimidating at first, but you always learn and adapt as no two projects are the same.?

Oana: One of the challenges is managing the amount of new information that I was exposed to. As a graduate in this specific field, I had to learn about our role in the industry and develop my technical and software knowledge. Another challenge was managing several projects at once, each with its own requirements and deadlines.

What type of projects are you currently working on and what is your role??

Michael: From the outset of starting at SpecStudio in early 2022, I was working on a variety of projects, mainly supporting the wider team as well as focusing on Manchester based residential and leisure projects. Most recently I have worked on a large refurbishment scheme, stadia, events centre and residential schemes within the UK.??

Sara: I’ve worked mostly on projects based in the UK, more specifically new-build and refurbishment projects, including a community centre in Salford, multiple residential projects in Manchester city centre and a commercial retrofit in Cornwall.

Oana: I have been part of the team for just under two months, and have already had the chance to work on a variety of projects, from new-build apartment complexes to restoration for hotels and domestic projects.?As a Graduate Specification Consultant, I am learning to use my technical knowledge to efficiently translate challenging technological ideas into detailed specifications that many clients can easily comprehend and apply.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing architectural graduates??

Michael:??I would say one of the biggest challenges facing architectural graduates, is the lack of practical experience and technical knowledge that you are exposed to as a student. Adjusting from being a graduate to learning new skills will take time, but it is great to constantly learn and develop your knowledge. A further challenge, is knowing and being aware of the further career options within the industry that are available to architectural graduates rather than the conventional route to becoming an architect. It can be quite daunting to follow a path that you may not have known existed a year ago or even months prior, but there are lots of exciting opportunities in the industry.

Sara: I think it is is discovering which direction you want to go in as it seems like there are endless possibilities after finishing university. Whilst architectural education equips you with theoretical knowledge and design skills, it can be a challenge applying this within the industry due to the lack of practical experience. There is so much more to the industry than the typical architecture path, that you only start to explore after university.

Oana: In my opinion, architectural graduates face several significant challenges as they transition from academic studies to professional practice. Whilst architectural education provides a strong foundation in design theory and technical skills, many graduates often lack practical experience.?The architectural industry is highly competitive and architectural graduates face challenges in finding suitable job opportunities, which is a struggle that I have overcame after months of searching for a position, as the job market can be demanding, with very few entry-level roles available.?

What advice would you give to those looking to find their first jobs in the construction industry?

Michael: Be open-minded and do not close yourself off from exploring different options within the industry. Once graduating do some research of what is on offer to you, whilst building a CV and body of work that you would be happy to present to a potential employer. Take pride in your work and what you have achieved, as it is what you have worked towards for many years!

Sara: Try and explore as much as possible! It is a challenging industry, especially for a young professional, given the workload, importance and responsibility that the construction industry holds. Don’t be scared to take any opportunities you are offered and make the best out of it.??

Oana: For graduates that are seeking their first job in the construction industry, my advice would be to build a strong CV and Portfolio, as well as gain practical experience, develop a diverse skill set and stay up to date with the companies that they are interested in. Being open-minded?and approaching the job search process with enthusiasm, persistence, and willingness to learn and grow will increase their chances of finding opportunities suitable for them.

Success Stories in Architecture and Construction

The experiences of Michael, Sara and Oana show how diverse careers in architecture and construction can be. Their different paths, struggles and successes highlight the determination, flexibility and love for the job that lead to achievement in this constantly-evolving field. These qualities contribute to success within their roles, which encompasses a wide array of skills and ample opportunities for growth in a thriving sector!

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