3 minute read
Getting to know our people – Sophia Chin You
GETTING TO KNOW OUR PEOPLE
Sophia Chin You, Membership Coordinator
What is your role at the CIQS and to whom are you accountable?
I hold the position of Membership Coordinator . My responsibilities include processing new membership applications and ensuring the required supporting documents are received before submitting files to the Membership Committee for evaluation; maintaining membership records; acting as liaison between potential and existing members and the organization; providing administration for diaries; as well as coordinating and scheduling of PQS candidate interviews . I am accountable not only to the Executive Director, Education Director, and the CIQS National Board, but also to CIQS members – as I guide them toward their journey in achieving their professional designations .
What does a typical day look like, and is there much variety in your job?
The tasks I perform vary from day to day . These include fielding calls and responding to emails from potential members looking for further information on CIQS membership, or to existing members wishing to discuss their next steps toward their designation; collecting diary or paper submissions and passing them on to evaluators for approval; arranging interviews for PQS candidates; sending follow-ups to applicants with regards to supporting documents; producing monthly and quarterly assessment reports for our Education Director and the CIQS national board; processing new applications; and updating application tracking sheets . From time to time, I also make an effort to follow up with members who have been inactive in their pursuit of their designation in case they have questions about their next steps .
How long have you been doing this, and how has your role changed?
I joined the CIQS in March 2015 as Membership Coordinator, a new position developed to look after all aspects of membership nationally, including applications . In the beginning, one of the
priorities was to develop a tracking sheet to record the status of new applications and existing member files from across Canada . Now that we have collected member information, my role involves processing new applications, keeping maintenance of member records, and providing guidance to new and existing members . Our future goal is to regularly follow up with members and offer support and guidance in their journey to achieving their designations .
What is the most satisfying part of your job?
I thoroughly enjoy being able to support and guide individuals through the process to achieve their goals of attaining professional designations . It is definitely rewarding to be able to work with an individual to achieve their goal, whether they are new students, graduates, new immigrants to Canada, national members, or international members . The most satisfying part of my job is when I send that final letter to a member accepting them as a Construction Estimator Certified (CEC) or Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) .
What are the challenges and opportunities of performing your role?
The CIQS is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers to keep it going . One challenge is finding enough volunteers with ample experience and qualifications required to assist with the approval process of PQS candidates . I believe that we can never have enough volunteers as sometimes individuals may lose their interest or resign due to personal or work commitments . However, we are lucky enough to have a number of experienced PQS members who are always willing and able to find time in their busy schedules to help the Institute . I am glad to have the opportunity to work with such knowledgeable and experienced individuals willing to dedicate their spare time to devote to the institute and the members .
Tell us a little bit about yourself – do you have any particular other interests?
I have two wonderful kids who keep me very busy, whether it is helping them with their schoolwork, taking them to their swim, gymnastic, or dance classes, or driving them to birthday parties . When I have the time, I enjoy new challenges like learning to make bread, learning the art of hand lettering, taking lessons in archery, or treetop trekking (which is something I have tried recently and enjoyed – when I was not looking down, that is) .
About the author
Interview conducted by Arif Ghaffur, PQS, Editor of Construction Economist.
