Linda Hamilton has been dreaming since she was 12 years old of working in engineering and construction and has landed a job in the industry just over six months ago.
Growing up, Linda was told, “Construction isn't a good job for a woman!” but she was determined to prove that wrong.
Studying law at university, Linda graduated during ‘the recession we had to have’ and jobs were limited, particularly in the construction industry which strongly felt the effects of the economic slowdown. She took a job in a law firm doing insurance and then, at an insurance company and thrived there, with much of her work increasingly, having an engineering and construction twist.
“A large percentage of the work was failed structures: so bridges, infrastructures, film studios, and housing developments, but looking at it through the lens of the insurance contract,” said Linda.
Upon returning to private practise, Linda used the skills she developed working in the insurance industry, doing legal work as a partner then in an international firm, mainly in their specialist construction and engineering division.
“I became very familiar with the contracts, and I was litigating and advising," said Linda.
Though this was a step in the right direction, it didn’t meet Linda’s desire to work directly for an engineering and construction company and be able to see projects from start to finish.
“I gravitated through my whole career towards engineering and construction but without being able to work directly in the area, but having it dangled in front of me. It was always a case of 'so near but yet so far,’” said Linda.
At 57, Linda was concerned that age and seniority would forever prevent an engineering firm from wanting to hire her but was pleasantly surprised when UGL approached her about a job.
“I'm quite senior and that just didn't seem to come into it and in fact if anything it was a benefit to UGL I'm able to leverage my experience all those years of construction and engineering litigation knowledge of the contracts into the front-end experience,” Linda said.
Having hit the ground running, Linda is going from strength to strength.
“I just had my first contract get signed that I worked on literally the first day I arrived. I feel really pleased. It’s exciting. Thanks to UGL and its leaders in law, Stephen Barrett-White and Pryce Dale, I have been given the chance to hit the “refresh” button from insurance into engineering and at the coal face of some of the most exciting projects in Australia.”
Proving those wrong that said the construction industry is not a place for women, Linda has one piece of advice to those looking to make a change in their career: “Never doubt yourself. If you want to do it, go for it! Age and experience need not be a barrier.”