Student surveyor Josh Berry talks UKREiiF experience and career ambitions

Quantity surveying student Josh Berry is at a pivotal stage of his journey into surveying. As part of our ongoing commitment to professional development for APC candidates and increasing opportunities in the built environment to aspiring surveyors, RICS supported Josh with attending the UK Real Estate Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in May.

In this interview, Josh talks through his week at the forum and the education and experiences he gained while attending. We also explore his surveying journey so far and his career ambitions.

How did you get into surveying?

My entire family already works in property, so I think it was fate that I’d end up in the industry! Both my dad and sister are real estate surveyors while my mum works in government property.

I also think the skills needed to be a quantity surveyor match the skills I developed during the business management and finance course I did at college. So, it was a no brainer.

What’s your favourite part about being a student surveyor?

One of my favourite parts of being a student surveyor is that we’re able to access a huge network full of opportunities early on in our career. Professional bodies such as RICS are excellent at giving students the opportunity to be in the deep end of the industry, which is something you wouldn’t typically get in other industries.

The ability to talk to fellow surveyors and receive advice on becoming a better surveyor is also very beneficial to me and my career.

Why did you want to become a chartered surveyor?

I want to become a chartered surveyor because I feel my impact on the world can be long lasting, and my career and the work I do have the potential to benefit thousands of people daily. I get the opportunity to work on exciting projects that will likely outlast me and my career, which is a really nice feeling.

I already feel like I am a valuable member of RICS, despite being in the industry for only two years. This has motivated me to get more involved, as each new event brings more opportunity to grow.

How have RICS supported you so far in career?

RICS has been a tremendous help with my career so far. I was graciously given the opportunity to attend UKREiiF, where I had the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals. This agave me a deeper insight into the areas I want to specialise in that I wouldn’t have been able to access otherwise.

I also met some of the members of the RICS Scotland Board and managed to pick their brains and ask questions ahead of my move up to Glasgow in September.

What were the benefits of being at UKREiiF?

I would say that the benefits are significant. The ability to network and meet professionals at this stage of my career has been invaluable. It has given me confidence to talk to the industry more and step outside my comfort zone.

UKREiiF was a fantastic opportunity for someone in my position, and I’d recommend it to any aspiring professional hoping to enter the built environment.

What did you learn from UKREiiF that you’ll take into your day-to-day role?

The thing I learnt the most is that, despite it being daunting talking to people you’ve never met before, the amount of support available is something that I have never experienced before. It made me believe that there are no stupid questions – I was treated as an equal and my opinions were heard despite having much less experience.

What do you want to achieve in the next couple of years?

These next couple of years are going to be crucial for my career and I’m eager to hit the ground running. I’m going on a placement in September, and my goal is to learn as much information as possible and become the best quantity surveyor I can be.

After that, I have one more year of university left at Sheffield Hallam, where I hope to achieve the best grade possible. I’m always motivated for more success and want to have a meaningful impact on the industry.