Women Building Futures: Alumni Panel Member Announced: Amy Banks

We are very pleased to announce that Amy Banks will be part of our Alumni Panel on the day. Although Amy is not yet technically Alumni (still currently studying our Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building) we are sure you will benefit from hearing her story. Amy will share her story with us on stage. Here is a snippet of Amy’s story:

An interview with Amy Banks – Student of the Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Postgraduate degree.

Where are you working now?

“Sustainable Development Consultants”

What is your role and what activities does your role entail on a daily basis?

“Junior ESD Consultant I prepare reports as part of planning applications for proposed developments, to help them meet local Council ESD requirements. I also work on energy modelling assessments for building approval. Every project starts with architectural plans from the client, and from there I’ll help deliver compliant solutions and push for best practice ESD initiatives to be incorporated.”

What was your favourite part of your degree?

“Researching ‘real world’ case studies, and the practical assignments that were based on local buildings we could go visit and observe. It meant the application of sustainable solutions was so much more tangible, and therefore more rewarding.”

What do you like best about your role?

“The exposure to different types of developments – I’ve worked on apartments, townhouses, mixed-use buildings, warehouses, childcare centres, an indoor recreation facility and even a fire station. Every project is different and no one solution is the same.”

What attracted you to your role?

“I saw that SDC offered a range of services – a varied workload and the opportunity to gain experience in all these capabilities was highly appealing to me as a first job in the industry.”

What is most important to you when looking for a job?

“Read the company’s vision and mission statement. If you find yourself nodding in agreement and inspired by what they have to say, you’re more likely a good fit for that company and will be motivated at work naturally. I was drawn to SDC above others, because I felt that my own ideas about sustainability were strongly echoed in their vision.”

Tell us about your career journey so far.

“This is my first job in my pursuit for a career in ESD. It’s given me valuable insight into what sustainable initiatives are practical, accepted and implemented in the current local building industry. But it’s also given me a reality check of how important a new generation of ESD professionals are in helping transform values of urban development, where environmental and social sustainability is the motivator before financial interest.”

Tell us about the challenges and triumphs you have faced as a female in a male-dominated industry 

“While construction may be considered a male-dominated industry, I don’t believe this is a continuing trend within the ESD profession specifically. I personally feel woman will be equally sought for sustainability advice within the industry, and my own experiences contributing to projects so far has been encouraging.”

If you could say one thing to young females looking to enter the industry – what would it be?

“Don’t be afraid to be forward and ask questions.”

Anything else you would like to share?

“Sustainability is a relatively new branch of the building industry, and its only going to become more vital and necessary. If you want to help shape and improve the urban environments we live within, I highly recommend the MEESB program.”

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Read more about the International Women’s Day event: Women Building Futures: Careers in Property, Construction and Project Management here:

RSVP For the Event

• https://www.rmit.edu.au/events/all-events/special-events/2017/march/women-building-futures
• Announcing Key Speaker Michael Argyrou
• Announcing Key Speaker Vanessa Goulding
• Announcing Alumni Panelist – Isabel Ley
• Announcing Alumni Panelist – Ellvana Curo
• Announcing Alumni Panelist – Justine Franklin
• Announcing Alumni Panelist  – Mayuri Kulkarni
• Women Building Futures: Sub-theme Announced – “Male Champions of Change”
• Women Building Futures: Careers in Property, Construction and Project Management – Further information 2017
• Women Building Futures: Call For Marketing Gifts Now Open for 2017 event
• Alumni: Share your story!
• 2016 Women Building Futures – Careers in Property, Construction and Project Mangement