Althea Mercado
Graduate Cost Estimator, WSP
Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying
Althea Mercado loves her role as a graduate cost estimator at WSP where she is assisting her team in measuring and pricing projects.
“The Waitemata Harbour Connections – Aotearoa’s most significant city-shaping project in the coming decades – is one of the projects I’m currently working on. I’ve been working closely with my buddy who has been guiding me through the various stages of pricing the project. It’s been quite a challenging experience working on a project of this scale, but it has pushed me to learn and grow at a much faster pace. Quantification is an aspect I especially enjoy about my work, which involves reviewing a set of drawings and measuring all the works within the project. We use software like CostX, which I used during my time in AUT, so I was already familiar with it.”
Growing up, she was always interested in taking care of finances, says Althea who studied a Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying.
“Back when I was growing up in the Philippines, I took on leadership roles in my grade school classes that required organisation and even took on the role of being the class representative for my school. In high school, I took an accounting class, which I came to love. Balancing statements and the maths involved felt very therapeutic to me.
“Accounting was what I initially wanted to pursue at university, however I then heard about quantity surveying from a family friend who was working in the construction industry. After hearing about the industry from a lens of passion, I thought, ‘How can I involve myself in an industry that contributes to communities and the environment?’. The more I learned about what a quantity surveyor does, the more I envisioned myself becoming one. As soon as I learned that AUT had a Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying, I quickly applied. That decision is one I’ll never regret.”
Relevant and supportive
She particularly enjoyed the courses where students could apply their skills to real-life projects, says Althea who was proud of being recognised as a high-achieving student, including achieving 100% on her first-ever university report and getting A+ grades despite the pressures of the global pandemic.
“I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to like quantity surveying, but when we started doing actual measurements on real projects I instantly felt fulfilled. Having experience with real projects and applying the skills I learned helped me become confident in my skills. Because of the great courses AUT provides, I was also well-equipped to apply for a summer internship at WSP, which I ended up being chosen for. I felt confident going into my internship as a lot of the things I was introduced to were things I had learned in my courses.”
Another thing she appreciated about AUT were the facilities and resources she had access to.
“I enjoyed the facilities that AUT has as I could study virtually anywhere as the campus is massive. Most if not all the study spaces have plugs and comfy seats, which is very handy as I was always staying for hours doing my assignments. AUT also has several food stores on its campuses, which was convenient for demanding periods where I had no time to make myself food.
“One of the challenges I had in my first year was becoming familiar with the APA7 format for referencing. Luckily, AUT has several resources that support students with this, including the live chat from the AUT library where students can get direct help from librarians. To this day, I’m still using the guides the friendly librarians gave me. This is just one example of the many resources available to help students overcome any challenges they may face during their studies.”
Advice for other students
Althea’s advice for other students is simple: make the most of the opportunities offered to you.
“One thing I wish I had utilised more was taking advantage of the many events held by AUT, with several opportunities AUT is always providing for students. I also wish I had applied for more scholarships earlier in my studies. I applied for the 2024 Keystone Trust BBD Quantity Surveying Scholarship. I was shortlisted and only fell short because I already had a summer internship with WSP. I was however offered a part-time job by BBD instead of the scholarship. Had I applied for more scholarships in my first year, I think would have had a better chance at obtaining one.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to others.
“I think AUT enables students to become fully equipped to start their chosen careers with confidence. I’ve seen this through the opportunities AUT is consistently offering, the courses it delivers and the environment it fosters.”
