28.11.2024

“Whether in Zurich or Lausanne – whether I’m studying or working – I learn something new here every day”

Agathe Schmitt works for Wincasa Construction Management. The native of Lausanne is currently working with the Zurich team. How did this come about? How does she divide her time between work and studies? Agathe reports on her experiences in both parts of the country and in the dynamic environment of construction management.

Agathe, how long have you been with Wincasa and where did you start?

I joined Wincasa in Lausanne as a project assistant in Construction Management on 1 February 2023. At the time, I was reporting directly to the head of the department for French-speaking Switzerland. Today, I am part of a team dedicated to a specific client and divide my time between the tasks I receive from the team in Zurich and the tasks related to my original position in Lausanne.

What are you studying, and how did your studies influence your decision to work for us?

I am studying International Business & Management at the Geneva School of Business Administration (HEG-GE). It is a bachelor’s degree program that is taught entirely in English and combines practical knowledge from the field of business management, such as accounting, quantitative finance and statistics. We also develop social skills that are important for good leaders, and tools for project management. All this is complemented by an international aspect in which we learn to work in a multicultural environment and to master the challenges associated with it.

I decided to do this part-time course in order to stay active in the world of work and to establish a link between a more theoretical course of study and practical work. I was looking for a position that would give me the flexibility to do both, as well as an environment in which I could get to know an industry from the inside. The working atmosphere in the team and the learning and development opportunities were also very important to me. I found all of this in the position of project assistant in construction management at Wincasa.

What prompted you to move from Geneva to Zurich to study?

I wanted to do that even before I joined Wincasa. Right from the start, I wanted to share ideas in a German-speaking environment so that I could speak German fluently over time. We discussed this in an interview and I was given the opportunity to share ideas between the offices in French-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking Switzerland while studying. I like that because it gives me the opportunity to really immerse myself in the language and culture and is not only geared towards an international environment where mainly English is spoken.

Academically, I am now in the final year of my bachelor’s degree. This means that I can choose a specialisation. The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), which is more academically oriented than the HEG, offers courses that I would not have had access to in Geneva, in particular, everything relating to data analysis, programming and artificial intelligence.

How was the change within Wincasa for you?

The change within Wincasa went very well and the team in Zurich gave me a warm welcome. It’s fun getting to know the new team members and working more closely with those I already knew. After a month here, I have to say that language is still a challenge, but I am working on it, and I am sure that by the end of the year that I am here, my progress will be noticeable. I think this exchange is really a great opportunity to benefit from the knowledge exchange and to strengthen the collaboration between the two areas of our Construction Management team.

You work in Construction Management. What does this department do?

Wincasa is best known for its activities in the field of real estate management. But the Construction Management department is also important. In fact, we have just over 70 employees who manage around 700 projects a year. We have two main functions in “CONSTRUCTION”: principal representation and client support as well as construction manager, although these two roles differ only in terms of the degree of responsibility. In the first case, the employees are responsible for advising the client, i.e. the owner of the property, and acting as experts. In the second case, they manage the companies on the construction site as coordinator/site manager.

We primarily represent and support institutional clients in Switzerland from the banking, finance and insurance sectors. Real estate can come to us at any stage of its life cycle: in the design phase, for implementation or for refurbishment.

In other words, Construction Management employees bridge the gap between tenants, asset managers and construction experts. In other words, between those who have little knowledge of the construction industry and the construction specialists. For this reason, most employees have their initial training as architects, construction or HVAC engineers or site managers. Their day-to-day tasks are similar to those of a project manager.

And what are your responsibilities?

I don’t come from the construction industry. However, I was able to learn a lot about this area in my almost two years at Wincasa. As a result, I can now closely support the project managers in my team and support them both in administrative tasks and directly in the projects.

In my day-to-day work, I prepare meetings and presentations, both at regional and national level. I help with the onboarding of new employees and take care of the entire intern application process.

Quite soon after I joined the company, I was also entrusted with the task of ensuring communication within the Construction Management department. I do this together with Wincasa’s Marketing and Communications department.

Recently, I have also been coached on specific topics by my colleagues here at the Zurich headquarters and then pass on this knowledge to the team in Lausanne. Overall, my responsibilities are very diverse and varied. No two days are the same and I can always learn new things.

Which project have you enjoyed the most so far?

I can currently take part in a specific construction project. I particularly like this because I have the opportunity to observe the development and be part of it. My supervisor takes the time to train me in the different phases. This is very enriching and gives me the opportunity to learn through practical experience.

The organisation of the department meetings is also very near and dear to my heart. Our entire department meets once or twice a year. Together with my colleagues, I take care of finding the venue, providing the necessary technology and catering, and hiring interesting external speakers. I also translate the presentations and take care of the live broadcast.

Where do you want to go professionally in the future?

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I would like to continue my studies with a master’s degree in the field of international relations. The aim is to work in an environment where my work has a tangible impact on the world around me and where I am not lacking in challenges or new learning opportunities.

Working closely with the various roles in Construction Management has shown me just how much expertise goes into construction projects, how these roles fit into the company and how they energise and reflect it.

Any tips for fellow students if they also want to combine work and study?

Above all, you must be determined and motivated, because combining the two is not a piece of cake! Having a flexible employer is also a big advantage, and it is important to build a relationship based on trust and transparency to better manage unexpected situations. Planning my semesters in advance, especially the examination phases, as well as the important moments at Wincasa, helped me to organize myself better. What you need is consistency, perseverance and resistance to stress.

 

Agathe Schmitt is studying International Business and Management in Geneva and Zurich. When not working for Wincasa, she enjoys spending her time studying, exercising, swimming in the lake and travelling to meet her friends who live abroad.