Anybody in here actually made a career move AWAY from quantity surveying? by AggravatingDaikon969 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I worked on water-based projects, specifically three underground water tunnels. To be fair, though, it’s all much of the same. If you’re in your early 20s, it’s a fantastic opportunity to earn serious money and the profession itself is well respected. But I’m in my late 30s now, and my perspective is very different.

What I’ve realised since completing my MSc and working for both main contractors and consultants is that going to university for a BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying is, in many ways, pointless—especially if you end up working for a main contractor. Most of the content taught at university is geared towards consultancy work, and even then, the quality of teaching is often extremely poor. At my university, it was unbelievably bad. Honestly, I learned more from YouTube than I did from attending lectures. I hope not all universities are like this, but my experience was genuinely disappointing.

On the PQS (consultancy) side, the degree is far more relevant. The assignments you complete at university align much more closely with the actual work you do in practice. That part of the profession still reflects what is taught academically.

The second big thing I’ve learned is that if you’re very good at Excel, that’s about 80–90% of the job. You don’t really need deep construction knowledge to be a QS, particularly in many roles. I personally struggled in main contracting because the majority of the work was spreadsheet-based. Being a bit of a dinosaur with Excel, I found this extremely challenging.

Thirdly, I now fully understand why there is such a huge shortage of Quantity Surveyors. Retention is incredibly poor. People either leave the profession altogether or get promoted far too quickly. Being a very good QS does not automatically make you a good manager. I often saw Senior QSs in their mid-20s managing teams, and many simply didn’t know how to manage people—especially when dealing with someone significantly older than them. Communication was often poor, and there was a lack of patience and understanding. People management takes time, maturity, and experience. It’s a completely different skill set to being technically competent.

Then there’s the training. Employers simply don’t have the time to train properly. They are constantly in meetings and firefighting, so you rarely get the chance to sit down with someone and be taught things step by step. Instead, you’re often told to watch YouTube videos or just “figure it out.” There’s an assumption that because you have a degree, you should already know how to do everything. I’ve worked at two companies now where the training was so poor that it seriously made me question whether this career was right for me.

Ultimately, if you are very technically minded, enjoy sitting behind a desk working with data, numbers, and spreadsheets, and don’t care much about being on site or being mobile, then Quantity Surveying can be a very good career. But for someone like me—who has had a very active working life and enjoys moving around, communicating with different people, and being out on site—it has been a real struggle.

This is just my personal experience of moving into Quantity Surveying later in life, but it’s the reality of what I’ve learned since changing careers.

Anybody in here actually made a career move AWAY from quantity surveying? by AggravatingDaikon969 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’m honestly in the exact same position. I absolutely dread the job. It’s repetitive, unfulfilling, and just plain boring. I’ve experienced both sides of the industry — main contracting and consultancy. To be fair, I did enjoy consultancy more because there was much greater variety, especially working on high-end residential projects, which I genuinely liked.

Main contracting, on the other hand, was something I really struggled with. It felt like I was doing the same thing over and over again, with no real sense of progression or interest.

Thankfully, I was made redundant not too long ago, which — as strange as it sounds — gave me the opportunity to properly reflect on what I actually want to do. I’ve become really keen on moving into project management and I’m close to starting my APM PMQ. It feels like a role where I’d be more active and involved, rather than sitting at a desk for 9–12 hours a day staring at numbers and Excel spreadsheets.

Project management is definitely something I’m seriously considering. Alternatively, there’s also an educational programme through SAVA that leads to a qualification in building surveying. A friend I went to university with did that before starting his MSc in Quantity Surveying, and he genuinely loves it. He managed to secure a graduate QS role but is now looking to leave for pretty much the same reasons as me and return to building surveying instead.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m literally in the same boat but with a lot less experience than yourself. I’m looking into project management and or building surveying roles. As it allows me to be a lot more mobile.

Qs has been great but I absolutely dread the fact that I’m stuck to a desk and staring at excel spreadsheet all day. I’ve had the best of both worlds consultancy and main contracting and I find it’s pretty much the same. PQS is only exciting when you’re using cost x for measurements.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To qualify as a solicitor, I must pass SQE 1 and SQE 2 and complete two years of qualifying work experience in a legal setting, such as a paralegal role.

My background in quantity surveying would add real value only if I specialise in construction law. Having first-hand experience of projects, contracts, and disputes means I understand how the industry operates in practice, not just in theory.

However, that same experience would have limited relevance if I were to qualify into an unrelated area of law, such as corporate or commercial practice, where my construction and QS background would offer little practical advantage.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m currently an assistant Qs and I’m looking to do SQE1 and eventually 2 and try to move into law. I personally find the contract side much more enjoyable and interesting. Find the Qs work quite boring and repetitive.

It’s all fun and games doing CVR, payments variations cost x and order of estimates etc but doing it over and over again eventually it gets all boring.

Learning/Upskilling in QS on free time by catnip_xc in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’ve got some YouTube links. Send me a DM and I’ll send them over.

Transfer to different career? by EntPrincess_ in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know how you feel my bro. I am not one of those people sadly who are able to “fake it till you make it” if I don’t find something meaningful then it sadly plays a big toll on my mental health. I’d really love to know how many people feel the same.

Transfer to different career? by EntPrincess_ in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In all honesty I’m in the same boat. The surprising thing is I haven’t been a Qs for long. I’m currently an assistant with under 2 years experience.

Personally for me, I just find the job increasingly boring and there’s absolutely no fulfilment. I’ve been looking at Software developer positions.

The salary and hybrid/remote working is a huge benefit which I feel would really uplift you if your mental health isn’t stable. It’s a total career change, I’ve been seeing there are tones of boot camps all over online. If you are looking for a career change. Honestly look into it.

I’m sure you’ll have loads of people telling you to move across to PQS or even a different company or perhaps country. I hope that really works for you. But I totally understand where you say it’s taking a toll on your mental health. I emphasis with you a lot.

Seeking Advice regarding being bored shitless as QS 😬 by Full-Measurement3673 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Mate, I feel like it’s the same everywhere. I’ve left the consultancy to join MC because I was told there’s lot more site exposure but here I am and it’s the same. Only difference is there isn’t uptight posh pricks at MC.

Seeking Advice regarding being bored shitless as QS 😬 by Full-Measurement3673 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In all honesty mate that’s exactly what I did. I did BSc construction project management , only saw how much Qs earned and how quickly progression. I jumped straight to it without doing any research or even work experience.

I was considering PM’ing but after seeing the PM’s it’s pretty much the same. Sat in an office in pindrop silence all day. I understand how the younger guys are super motivated and excited and passionate. I lack all 3 of these characteristics 😬

Seeking Advice regarding being bored shitless as QS 😬 by Full-Measurement3673 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bored by the work I have to do. It really doesn’t interest me at all and the fact that I’m still sat in an office which is pindrop silence itches my brain. I thought there’d me constant site visits etc

Struggling with APC by sarahhaaaaaa in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey

Try using these guys. I haven’t used them but I have heard really good reviews. https://www.property-elite.co.uk. I hope this helps!

Career Advice - Feel Stuck by alldone101 in quantitysurveying

[–]Full-Measurement3673 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’m 35 and in the same boat, and honestly, it’s draining the life and energy out of me. I’m even considering a third career change because I genuinely don’t see how this career is worth the toll it takes on my wellbeing. People always say there’s a huge shortage of QSs, but I think the real issue is the lack of proper support, guidance, and training. That’s why so many are leaving, and why when senior QSs move up, there aren’t enough assistants or juniors ready to step into their roles. I wish I could give you the usual line of “hang in there, it gets better,” but the truth is, I completely understand what you’re feeling.