Consultancy requires overview and experience - but also curiosity and new perspectives. At KHR, we work with both. Here, Martin, Mikkel and Mathilde talk about starting early in the profession and growing with the tasks in a team with strong professional sparring.
Three young consultants on responsibility, learning and decisions close to the client
How did you find your way into construction consultancy?
Mikkel: “Even during my studies, I found legislation and the strategic processes in construction more exciting than just sitting and drawing solutions that are often changed anyway. I liked the idea of being involved all the way - from early decisions to tendering and follow-up - and ensuring that the client actually gets what they want. I started at KHR as an intern and during that time I moved more and more from the architectural part of the building to the client consultancy. It was a good match and I was offered a student job until I graduated and could start full-time. ”
Martin: “I'm a newly qualified engineer and just started two months ago. I actually just saw the position in the client consultancy team and thought it sounded really exciting because you get closer to reality. As an engineer, you often design solutions in isolation, but here you work with the big picture and all the stakeholders around the project.”
Mathilde: “I actually turned down the position initially because I thought I needed to go out and get construction experience. But fortunately, I quickly realised that if it was client consultancy I wanted to do in the long term, I might as well get the experience here - close to the projects and with experienced people around me.”
So you had the idea that client consultancy was only for experienced profiles?
Martin: “Yes, definitely. I actually thought that you had to have many years of experience to be able to advise clients. But I quickly realised that you can start young if you have a solid team behind you.”
Mikkel: “You can't have young client advisors if there isn't a strong foundation of experienced profiles. But when it's there, it makes a lot of sense. You learn a lot by being involved in real cases from the start.”
What do you do on a daily basis?
Mathilde: “One of the things that has surprised me the most is how dissimilar the tasks are. One day it's technical due diligence, the next it's tendering, construction management or dialogue with tenants. The role is very broad - and that makes it really exciting.”
Mikkel: “We do a lot of technical consultancy, feasibility studies and condition assessments, which often develop into smaller construction projects. Then we are involved every step of the way - from analysis to tendering and on to construction management.”
Martin: “I'm still very new, so I mostly work with specific parts of the assignments - for example, notes from inspections or sections in a TDD. But even then you get an insight into how decisions are made and what is important to the client.”
When did you first experience real responsibility?
Martin: “I've already been responsible for a few points in technical due diligence reports. I do them myself and then they are reviewed by a senior person who gives feedback. It's a really good way to learn.”
Mikkel: “Responsibility comes early, but you're never alone. You always know who to ask, and there's a culture of not holding back with questions. It makes it safe to take responsibility.”
Mathilde: “You're taken along as a ‘foal’ in the beginning, but pretty soon you're given your own tasks. At the same time, you absorb a huge amount of knowledge from the more experienced people, who are good at sharing their experience.”
What do you bring to the team as younger profiles?
Mathilde: “We are very curious and sometimes challenge habits. We ask: Why do we do it this way? Could it be done differently? Especially when it comes to technology and new solutions.”
Mikkel: “We also bring the latest knowledge from our studies - for example, about legislation and new tools. This can be an advantage in terms of both quality and economy, because there are often better solutions today than 20-25 years ago.”
Martin: “And then we can do some of the groundwork so that seniors can spend their time where their experience really makes a difference.”
What is the value of client consultancy from your perspective?
Mathilde: “We save the client a lot of time. Many people know very little about construction and focus mostly on the economy, and we help explain what's important - and why.”
Mikkel: “Although it costs money to have an owner's consultant, it often pays for itself quickly. You get a better project, fewer errors and a more efficient process.”
What would you say to recent graduates considering construction consultancy?
Mikkel: “You should just go for it if it sounds exciting. Don't wait until you're ‘ready’. You can easily become a great client advisor without having years of construction experience first.”
Martin: “You don't have to be afraid of responsibility if you have the right training and support.”
Mathilde: “And if you like variety, responsibility and working with people - it's a really cool role.”
Read more about KHR Architecture's client consultancy or Send an application, if you'd like to join the team too.
