With International Women’s Day just around the corner, we’re taking this opportunity to highlight one of BSE’s leaders, Amelia Fraser, Manager – National Strategic Partnerships. 💜
Amelia is best described as sunshine, bottled. An essential part of our National Strategic Partnerships team, she brings a commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for BSE clients, and an interesting range of opportunities for our teams to design. Working with our teams across the country, Amelia establishes and builds strong connections within the industry, and champions BSE’s offering to our project partners.
What is your background story?
After having a go at a couple of things at uni, and knowing it wasn’t what I was after, I took an opportunity to jump straight into work. I worked in all client-facing roles, including medical admin, HR, and recruitment, before settling in property and construction in a surprise twist.
Like so many, it took me time to work out what I found inspiring professionally. The connections made with people, and the opportunities within this industry, are exciting. I was pretty green when I joined. However, through growth and development, and spending time understanding the industry and all its nuances, I’ve grown to enjoy the challenges thrown our way (cough cough, the current VIC market).
My role throughout my seven years at BSE has seen various iterations. However, the crux has always been generating relationships, identifying opportunities, and positioning BSE in a desirable position within the market.
Did you choose engineering, or did it choose you?
Without doubt, it chose me. It wasn’t an industry I thought I would chase, but throughout the past few years, I’ve absolutely developed a soft spot. It’s hard to ignore the huge impact our team’s involvement in projects has, and it’s so interesting to appreciate and see the bigger picture and all the behind-the-scenes work and coordination.
Throughout my time in the industry, I’ve enjoyed being involved in various groups, including being on the Tree of Knowledge committee for VIC. I thrive on bringing people together, and TOK is a brilliant opportunity to do that. I’ve also enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in the 500 Women in Property program over this past year, and I’ve connected with some wonderful, like-minded industry peers.
How do you feel services engineers add value to projects?
Walk into any building and you can’t always identify how the space comes to life, but behind the walls, under the floors, and in the ceiling are the important parts that make a building or space liveable, workable, and enjoyable.
The vision comes from the architect and designers, but without an engineer, the vision can’t spring to life. Services engineers literally add in the energy and life to buildings. Plus, they have a great overview of where cost savings can be made, a depth of knowledge and experience for the potential solutions and ways for approaching a design, all while making buildings sustainable and improving their lifecycle.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Look, I’ll be upfront: I’m just not a morning person. However, our home gets the most gorgeous morning sun, so once I drag myself out of bed, a coffee in the sun is a pretty glorious way to wake up.
Once the caffeine hits my system, I’m excited to get into the office, see the team, meet new people, and build connections with others. I’ve been so lucky to meet such incredible people in the industry, colleagues, and friends, and enjoying what you do makes the mornings just that little bit easier!
What does Amelia do in her free time?
Travel, and spending time with the people who fill my cup: family and friends. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Japan and Europe last year, and I’m on the hunt for the next place to scratch that travel itch!
When I’m on home soil, you’ll find me spending my free time hosting friends and family for a wine (or 7), trialling a fun new recipe, spending time with my fiancé (wedding planning!!!!), or with my nose deep in a book.
