Some say it’s never too late to learn new skills. Jean Marie Pagaragan, a project engineer at Rider Levett Bucknall, agrees.
Pagaragan first found herself in the construction industry while conducting research for an architectural firm during a marketing research class at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A brief stint in 2021 as an intern at Trade Media Hui, the company that publishes Building Industry Hawaii, deepened her interest in construction and led her to landing a marketing assistant role at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) later that year.
Since then, she’s transitioned from marketing assistant to project engineer while earning a master’s degree in civil engineering and construction engineering in just three years. She’s embraced her new role by constantly challenging herself and learning from new experiences.
QUESTION: HOW HAVE YOU GROWN PROFESSIONALLY DURING YOUR CAREER?
ANSWER: Each stage of my career has come with its own set of challenges, and I can see the growth within myself when it comes to my technical skill set and the confidence I carry when completing tasks, such as coordinating and communicating with the project teams and stakeholders, conducting site inspections and ensuring that project plans align with on-site work, documenting project progress, tracking critical communications, managing RFI and submittal logs and following through on timely resolution to issues in the field.
Starting in the marketing side of the industry provided me with deep understanding of the industry from business and technical perspectives; then, transitioning to project management further developed my knowledge of construction and engineering, allowing me to effectively contribute to driving the client’s desired outcomes, mitigate risk and control the cost, time and quality of a diverse range of construction projects.
Q: WHAT DID YOU DO TO GET PROMOTED?
A: I attribute my most recent promotion to two significant projects on O‘ahu — a new high-rise timeshare that RLB is managing on behalf of a private developer and a public sector project where RLB is serving as construction manager for the State of Hawai‘i. The preconstruction of a new high-rise timeshare project prepared me with a range of responsibilities and experiences in project management, where I contributed to planning, coordinating and overseeing various aspects of the project. Working on the public sector project allowed me to apply and expand my construction management skills while gaining hands-on experience in field operations. The lessons and experiences from both projects allowed me to confidently demonstrate my knowledge and readiness for greater responsibilities, which played a crucial role in my recent promotion.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGES YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME?
A: One is the learning curve that came with transitioning from a business/marketing background into a more technical role in the construction industry. It requires balancing the demands of continuously learning both in school and on the job, while striving to contribute meaningfully to projects and our team.
As someone who is relatively new to the industry, I’ve also faced moments of imposter syndrome stemming from stepping into a project engineer role quickly. However, I’ve learned to give myself more credit, recognizing that my hard work and dedication have earned me this position. I have previously — and still — continue to put in the effort to build my skill set and learn from every experience so that I can confidently navigate the complexities of this industry and contribute to the success of the projects I support. Having a mindset shift has been crucial in overcoming self-doubt and embracing the growth that comes with being in a demanding, yet rewarding, field.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS
FOR THE FUTURE?
A: I’m currently focused on expanding my technical knowledge and expertise as a project engineer so I can contribute innovative and impactful solutions on my projects. My goal is to advance my career in the industry and be able to take on more leadership roles where I can manage and oversee major construction projects, and to position myself as a key player in the industry.
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE
TO YOUNGER WORKERS?
A: Don’t be afraid to step into challenging or uncomfortable situations, because every step you take, no matter how daunting, is laying out the foundation for your own success. Always work hard, be a sponge and keep learning.
Q: FAVORITE LOCAL FOOD?
A: My favorite local dish is poke! And my favorite place to get a fresh, tasty bowl of poke is Morning Catch in Chinatown.
