A ‘pivot’ is never a backwards step LUCY SIMMS (OGC 2002)
Lucy Simms is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently a Non-Executive Director of Bellarine Community Health and Committee member of Cottage by The Sea Rippers. Lucy recently completed her Certificate IV in Real Estate through the REIV. We asked Lucy to share the story of her career to date.
I certainly would not profess to following a ‘standard’ career path, and I have recently just made a third career pivot since leaving university 15 years ago. When I was at school, I had no idea what I wanted to do or be, but I knew it had to be in property. Fortunately, I was blessed with solid skills in maths, and after a year of travelling overseas following school I commenced Civil Engineering at the University of Melbourne. If I’m completely honest, I didn’t love the course, but the incredible friends I made were reason for me to return every year! I spent five years working for a global consultancy in engineering, starting in structural engineering and very quickly shifting to project management, business development and strategic transport planning (all people focused roles!). It was a great foundation in my early years as a consultant, as I consolidated the tools of engaging with clients, and learnt the financial fundamentals of corporate business in Australia. Through my strategic planning work, I gained exposure to developers, and this reaffirmed my love of property. In 2012 I got a ‘lucky break’ as an Assistant Development Manager (ADM) with an emerging Melbourne based property developer (thanks to my engineering background). At the time, it was a backwards career step to any outsider looking in – particularly as I was doing well in engineering; my ‘title’
40 Ad Astra Issue No 142
