How moving to the Middle East has developed my career

Like many others, I first assumed that careers in construction were limited to architecture, engineering, law or project management.

I was introduced to building surveying through my family's involvement in real estate. My father, who has always been involved in residential and commercial real estate, purchased an old textiles mill in Yorkshire and redeveloped it into a range of commercial units. During this process, we engaged building surveyors to assist with various landlord and tenant matters, which gave me my first insight into the profession.

Later, while studying for my A-levels, we were encouraged to complete a week of work experience. Wanting to explore a career that offered a balance between office and on-site work, I chose to gain experience with Michael Steel & Co, where I was able to experience the daily life of a surveyor first hand.

This exposure completely changed my perspective. I was drawn to the diversity of the role, with its balance of technical problem-solving, site inspections, report writing and client interaction. It offered both structure and variety, and I knew then that it was the right path for me.

So, when I started my job search, I was open-minded about options and came across a position in Dubai at a project development consultancy. I applied without hesitation and was offered the job to start almost immediately in September 2020. My employer managed the whole visa process, travel and medical, I just had to get my degree attested in the UK before moving.

I was fortunate enough to land on my feet with a great company and mentor, who taught me everything about building surveying in the region. I was taking a bold move into an unknown environment, but one that has enabled significant professional development and personal growth.

Since relocating, I have gained broad and valuable exposure to a range of projects, including airports, commercial and recreational portfolios, residential communities, industrial assets and major hospitality developments.

My role has involved providing core building surveying services across the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and Egypt, including areas such as technical due diligence, reinstatement cost assessments, snagging surveys, reserve fund studies, defect analysis, landlord and tenant matters and planned preventative maintenance surveys.

Working in this dynamic and fast-evolving market has significantly enhanced my technical knowledge and adaptability. Now, as I navigate the APC building surveying pathway to RICS membership, my experience has strengthened my professional resilience and deepened my commitment to becoming chartered.

Being one of the few women on site or in a technical discussion can feel overwhelming at times. It requires a higher degree of self-assurance and confidence. I've learned to view this not as a limitation, though, but as a motivator – to represent and encourage greater diversity in the profession and demonstrate the value women bring to technical roles.

Adapting to regional work cultures and standards has been another key part of my professional development. In the Middle East, projects often involve multinational teams, expectations of speedy progress, and a blend of local, British and American construction standards.

This demands a high level of cultural sensitivity, awareness, flexibility and communication. Building strong working relationships across different languages, cultures, and professional backgrounds has been crucial to the success of the projects I work on.

This experience has deepened my understanding of global practice and highlighted the importance of creating inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are valued.

It has also reinforced how vital it is to adapt RICS standards to suit regional contexts without compromising professional integrity. Collaborating within such diverse teams has not only strengthened my ability to communicate effectively but also underscored the role of inclusion and teamwork in delivering innovative and sustainable project outcomes.

There are some key differences in client interaction between the Middle East and the UK. In the Middle East, relationships play a much larger role and there is a strong emphasis on trust and respect before progressing with technical discussions.

Communication tends to be less direct compared to the UK and there are often greater expectations for flexibility and responsiveness, particularly in the hospitality sector where timelines can be fluid.

For me, business development has played a bigger role in the Middle East compared to the UK. This often requires attending industry events, having evening commitments or informal meetings such as a coffee catch up, lunches or even a sporting event.

Here, hospitality is not just a social custom but reflects one's character and intent. Understanding and embracing this can have a positive influence in building and sustaining professional relationships.

Whether working with contractors, consultants, security or labourers on site, showing respect and treating everyone equally is not only appreciated but remembered. Fostering a sense of mutual respect also helps create a collaborative environment. Even small gestures such as greeting a worker in their own language, understanding their challenges or simply sharing a coffee break can remove many social barriers.

The Middle East draws in expertise from around the world. This diversity enables shared learning and continuous improvement. Collaborating across cultures allows teams to explore different methods and evaluate work from various viewpoints.

With professionals coming from all parts of the world, I have had the opportunity to gain insight from a wide range of perspectives, which has not only enhanced my technical work but also broadened my worldview. I now have colleagues and friends from around the globe, an experience that has made me more culturally aware, empathetic and open-minded.

Leadership here requires far more than technical skill. It is not about being the loudest voice in the room but about listening actively, understanding different viewpoints and adapting to fast-moving project environments.

Early in my career I struggled with speaking up, whether in sharing ideas in meetings or asserting my position on technical matters. But through consistent exposure to high-pressure situations, support from mentors and learning to navigate diverse cultural expectations, I have developed a more confident voice.

The region has taught me that leadership is rooted in emotional intelligence, inclusive communication, cultural sensitivity and adaptability. These are skills I continue to refine, but they offer a foundation for the way I approach my work.

For women in particular, while the path may occasionally be challenging – like so many male-dominated industries – I do wholeheartedly recommend it. Yes, it can be daunting in terms of cultural expectations and building credibility, for instance; but these experiences develop one's resilience and confidence in a way that is hard to do elsewhere.

Yes, I've experienced some challenges as a female professional in the industry. On some sites, there is often no female facilities which can feel awkward from the outset. There has also been experiences where workers have taken photos of me without my consent, something which has made me feel extremely uncomfortable and made me reflect on surveying safety as a young female working in the Middle East.

In meetings, I've occasionally found that questions or technical discussions were directed to my male colleagues, even when I was the lead on the project, simply because of my gender and probably my age.

That said, these experiences have also motivated me to build confidence in my expertise and assert my voice in professional settings. Over time, as I've gained more experience and built strong relationships, I've found that respect naturally follows.

There have also been many positive experiences. I've had colleagues and clients, both male and female, who have been incredibly supportive and proactive in creating more inclusive working environments. These contrasting experiences have given me resilience and a real passion for helping shape a culture where women and younger professionals can thrive in the industry.

The rewards are great, from contributing to iconic projects, learning from industry experts, expanding your technical and cultural skill sets and growing on a daily basis.

It is not always glamorous and not every project is headline-grabbing. But for the work, the people you encounter and the opportunities and knowledge you will develop, it is worth pursuing.