Meet the team: Patricia Barrett, Senior Chartered Project Manager
Patricia Barrett’s story is proof that there are many non-traditional routes into the construction sector. In her role as Senior Chartered Project Manager with Rogerson Reddan, she can draw on diverse life experiences.
Patricia Barrett
Before starting a family, Patricia had worked as a hairdresser for many years in Ireland and the UK. As her children got older, Patricia had been thinking about returning to the workplace. When her son was choosing his third-level education options at a TU Dublin open evening, it was suggested that she could follow a similar route.
Patricia, a cancer survivor, had thought about studying radiology as a way to give something back. Her husband was a carpenter, and both their children showed an interest in construction and engineering, therefore many a conversation around the dinner table often involved building projects and practices. Ultimately, she was drawn to the variety of work within the construction sector and decided to study to be a Quantity Surveyor. Patricia achieved Chartership status as a Project Manager with the SCSI in 2021.
She found that returning as a mature student, and one of just two women in her class in the first year, was a positive experience. “I received great support from the lecturers because the lecturers viewed the mature students as being there to learn. You weren't like someone fresh out of school who was told by their parents: ‘You have to go to college’. I chose to be there, and they were prepared to help and encourage you.”
Patricia is nothing if not resilient; two weeks before she was due to start university, her husband sadly passed away suddenly. With encouragement and support from her family, she decided to pursue her four-year degree, and she was among the top graduates in her class.
She had already completed a placement at Rogerson Reddan during her third year in college and she returned to work there full-time in September 2021 as a Project Manager. Today, much of her work is with the Department of Education Schools Building Programmes. Her role involves coordinating the design, stakeholder management and progressing projects through the 5 stages. “School projects are divided into five stages, and my job is to move them from stage one to stage five as easily and seamlessly as we can,” she says.
Patricia enjoys her work and believes she made the right choice. “I'm happy in what I chose, and I believe if you're happy doing a job, it's easier to do,” she says.