What first attracted you to construction?

My attraction to construction began at eight years old, cutting out furniture from my mother’s lifestyle magazines and pasting them on paper to create functional rooms. I was captivated by the art of transforming blank spaces into places that serve real human needs. 

As I grew older, that creative curiosity evolved into a clear career vision. I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a construction-related field (whether architecture, civil engineering, landscaping, or interior design, you name it!), to turn spatial concepts into tangible reality.

Why did you choose to study Construction Project Management?

Upon graduating high school, I stumbled across Construction Project Management (CPM) while applying for AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation’s (MKF) scholarship programme. It was a BSc (Hons) degree offered by the British University of Bahrain and awarded by the University of Salford.

After thoroughly researching it, I realised that my interests spanned the whole lifecycle of the built environment, and CPM offered the ideal pathway to holistically coordinate, supervise, and manage that multi-disciplinary process. In a nutshell, CPM encapsulated both the pre- and post-contract stages of a development, from early conceptualisation workshops and project tenders to underground utility trenches and turnkey interior fit-outs (almost like watching a fast-forwarded video of an entire development coming to life).

Seeing it as my golden ticket, I did not apply for any other scholarship nor university major. I just had this bizarre, strong belief that: "I will secure this scholarship and enrol in this exact program." Fortunately, that is exactly what happened!

How did you transition from being a student to starting your professional career?

In Bahrain, majoring in CPM at an undergraduate level is still considered a niche/underdeveloped path. I understood that it was a somewhat risky trajectory, hence I focused on building my practical experience and solidifying my technical knowledge through back-to-back summer internships.

Accumulating 6+ months of direct site exposure across both consultancy and contracting environments allowed me to develop a field-tested skillset and establish my professional reputation before completing my studies. 

Now as a recent graduate, I feel like an active part of the industry. I know its language and how to communicate it, which tremendously facilitated landing a role that aligns with my career goals under the right leadership.

What has surprised you most about working in construction?

I was surprised by the gap between academia (theory) and industry (practice). I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to innovation and sustainable practices, whether it is about off-site prefabrication, repository design libraries, or urban mining. 

However, while immersing myself in the three projects I was assigned to, I found various opportunities to pioneer such concepts but equally came to understand the undeniable barriers to adoption. This made me deeply value the influence of building codes and regulations, as they directly dictate the pace of innovation and drive supply chains responsiveness.

Which skills were most useful during the early stages of your career?

Across the internships I completed, two core skills stand out: technical adaptability and clear communication. 

On the technical side, being able to read, navigate, and cross-reference tender packages, specifications, and drawings allowed me to be an active intern, learning and performing simultaneously. On the personal side, developing the confidence to communicate transparently with both experienced trade crews and senior management made me understand real-world operations beyond textbooks.

Underpinning both is a disciplined mindset driven by attention to detail, curiosity, and consistency. Approaching every task with these three principles naturally accelerated my learning curve. It helped me refine my practical capabilities and stay relevant to the job market.

What encouraged you to become a member of CIOB?

I first joined the CIOB as a student member in 2023 after being introduced to the institute by my lecturer, Ms. Lina Saeed (MCIOB, Chair of the CIOB Bahrain Hub, and a true role model for our cohort!). From attending CPD sessions to seeing my degree program gain CIOB accreditation, my involvement grew rapidly, leading to my appointment as a Tomorrow’s Leaders’ representative in 2024.

What encouraged me most to join CIOB was the opportunity to connect with a thriving local network that opens international opportunities. It meant aligning with a global body that champions a better image for the construction industry, while gaining the platform and community needed to thrive as a young professional.

How has participating in CIOB events, Tomorrow's Leaders, CPD activities and the Bahrain Hub helped your career?

Participating in CIOB events, Tomorrow’s Leaders, and the Bahrain Hub helped me step back and capture the bigger picture of the construction industry. CPD sessions sharpened my technical knowledge by addressing critical, forward-thinking topics, from GCC Sharia law to energy recovery and digitalisation.

At the same time, serving as a Tomorrow’s Leaders representative built my confidence to engage comfortably with both peers and senior professionals, while the Bahrain Hub connected me to an invaluable local network. Ultimately, these experiences opened doors to exciting internship and career opportunities, transforming how I perceive and navigate the sector. 

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in construction?

As a guiding motto, remind yourself that experience, knowledge, and confidence are built, not required on day one. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone, bank on your malleability as a talent. Whatever expertise and capabilities I have developed always trace back to moments where I embraced the unknown and dove headfirst into unfamiliar environments, trusting that I would figure it out, grow, and adapt along the way.