BLOG: ‘Women can thrive in surveying – I know, because I did’

Back in 1983 when I qualified as a surveyor, I was just one of three women among 40 students on my university course.

At that time, around 10% of the profession were women. While that ratio has crept up over time, we’re a long way from parity. A recent study showed women accounted for just 18% of RICS members across the UK, which demonstrates glacial progress.

Today, on International Women’s Day, we need to recognise this as a rallying call to all women who are passionate about property, and consider joining our profession.

While the general make-up of the surveying profession is heavily male-dominated, we know that women can do the job just as well.

Irrelevant

Gender is entirely irrelevant because what’s important is an eye for detail, a methodological mind and a burning interest in property.

We are proud that our vocational Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation helps people achieve their goals and start a new career in the profession. Women have every right to be a part of this fulfilling and respected profession and we would like to encourage more women to consider a career in surveying.

We are champions of equal opportunities and I’m very proud that among the technical team at Sava, all four of us are women.

In 2022 one of our former students, Zoe Baker, won the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year Award. She has since set-up her own business and published a book about buying property, while the current President of the RICS is a woman and there have been an additional two before her. These achievements demonstrate how women are enjoying thriving careers in the industry.

I’ve often been asked about whether my gender held me back and in my case the answer is a firm no but I know that’s not the case for all.

I didn’t follow a traditional career path and fell into surveying after not being entirely sure what I wanted to do as a teenager.

Sisterhood

A relative who was already working in the profession suggested I shadow him and the rest is history. Nowadays, there is more of a sisterhood in the profession than ever with networks offering strong support.

To thrive within surveying, no one needs to be a DIY aficionado because the profession is about understanding how to inspect residential property, conduct residential property valuations and achieving a strong grasp of professional conduct and law.

If we think about it in more simple terms, our students do not learn how to become bricklayers but they will understand if the bricklayer has done a good job.

Go for it

My advice to any woman thinking of a career in surveying is ‘just go for it’ and don’t overthink it. Countless female graduates have reported how the profession is never boring and is personally as well as financially rewarding – with those working for three years generating an average income of £61,000.

With such attractive prospects and supportive networks, I’m very excited about the future.

Author bio: Hilary Grayson joined Sava in 2003 and is now a Director focusing much of her time on the development of new qualifications. Sava provides education, technology and professional services to help look after the UK’s 29 million homes.