“I don’t wait for opportunities, I prepare for them and create them”: Building a career Jessica designed herself

Jessica is a Project Management Officer based in AtkinsRéalis Singapore, currently seconded to a client’s Workplace, Real Estate & Facilities team. She started her career as a Project Administrator. Today, she supports strategic oversight across multiple workplace projects for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and she’ll tell you that none of it happened by accident.

From project administrator to project management officer

Jessica’s career trajectory at AtkinsRéalis is a story of deliberate, self‑directed growth. She started in project administration, focused on coordination and documentation. But she was always curious about the bigger picture - why decisions were made, how budgets were allocated, what drove risk.

I intentionally stepped beyond my core responsibilities,” she says. “Volunteering for more complex tasks, supporting senior project managers on reporting and cost tracking. That exposure allowed me to build confidence and develop a stronger commercial and strategic understanding of projects.”

The turning point came when her line manager - Jeremy, entrusted her with the Project Management Officer role supporting client. “It marked a huge shift in responsibility and scope,” she says. “It challenged me to develop new skills, take initiative, and grow professionally in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

Connecting the dots on a secondment

In her current role, Jessica is embedded on the client side, working closely with project managers, consultants, and stakeholders across the region to drive governance, budget control, scheduling, and overall project performance. Being on the client’s side gives her a perspective most people don’t get, balancing strategic objectives with day‑to‑day execution.

Her day‑to‑day involves reviewing schedules and budgets, tracking risks, and making sure teams are aligned with milestones and cost targets. Right now, she’s focused on driving schedule recovery on selected projects and strengthening cost control processes. A big part of my role is connecting the dots, she explains. Translating strategic objectives into clear actions, while making sure execution stays disciplined and structured.

The impact, she says, is often behind the scenes but significant. “The workplaces we deliver support people’s wellbeing, collaboration, and productivity. While I may not be the one designing the space, I contribute to creating environments where people can do their best work.”

Three people who changed her path

Jessica names three people who shaped her career. Maurizio, a previous Project Manager, continued to encourage and support her development even after she moved on from his team. Lim, Head of Cost Management, supported her growth while she worked as a Cost Manager, sharing expertise and helping her navigate challenges. And Jeremy, her current line manager, gave her the Project Management Officer opportunity that changed everything.

Jeremy consistently mentors me, challenges me to stretch my skills, and trusts me with responsibilities that push me beyond my comfort zone,” she says. “His guidance, encouragement, and belief in my potential have been instrumental in shaping me into the professional I am today.”

The thread running through all three relationships is the same: someone choosing to invest time in her before she’d fully proven herself. It’s something she now tries to pay forward.

The ocean is where she recharges

Outside of work, Jessica is an avid scuba diver and by her own admission, she dives a lot. “The ocean is where I recharge, find perspective, and challenge myself beyond my comfort zone,” she says. She also loves travelling and exploring new cultures, though it’s the underwater world that clearly has the strongest pull.

That same independent, adventurous streak runs through her professional life too. “I don’t wait for opportunities,” she says. “I prepare for them and create them.”

What IWD means to Jessica

“For me, it’s an opportunity to reflect on my own journey, acknowledge the mentors and colleagues who’ve supported me, and inspire others, especially women, to pursue ambitious goals, take ownership of their careers, and make an impact both professionally and personally.”

Her advice

Be proactive in seeking opportunities and trusting your own potential,” she says. “Don’t wait for the perfect role or assignment to come to you. Take initiative, volunteer for challenging projects, and step beyond your comfort zone.

Seek mentors, build strong networks across teams, and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance, having advocates can open doors you didn’t know existed. Above all, believe in yourself and your abilities.

Your career story is yours to create, just like Jessica’s. Explore opportunities at AtkinsRéalis and begin your next chapter.