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Paul Jordan Dornan
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology
Sligo
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course:
Construction has always been an interest to me, even from a young age. Throughout secondary school my favourite subjects would have been Construction Studies and Design and Communication Graphics, I guess having a good teacher for the subject helps ignite the interest. Having worked most summers on construction sites during secondary school it only furthered my interest in the world of construction, working on housing estates, pharmaceutical and even working in a quarry helped me see various aspects that make up the sector and how it operates.
When I seen this degree I knew it would be of interest to me, covering a wide variety of topics. Living close to home was an added bonus.
What specifically about the course did you particularly enjoy?
The overall course was packed with digital learning, hands-on practical’s and teamwork modules which helped in understanding various aspects of construction. The modules would include speakers from construction backgrounds offering a different angle on topics such as Modular Construction, Building Information Modeling and the use of drones for project monitoring. The course gives all the relevant skills to enter a multitude of construction sectors. The course has multiple assignments to complete
individually or as a team, helping give different angles and opinions on various areas of the construction sector along with the presentation of group work, something that will be very beneficial in the field.
Smaller class sizes helped create a great community of like-minded individuals, and getting to know all the lecturers definitely helped ease the process. The lecturers at ATU are highly engaging and bring a positive energy to the course. Additionally, the Programme Chair for Construction Project Management was very proactive in progressing the course, ensuring it stayed up to date with industry standards and requirements in an ever-evolving field.
What is the best thing about the course that you think new applicants should know?
The course is perfect for anyone with an interest in construction, regardless of their background. It offers a well-rounded blend of modules designed to help students understand the theory and how it can be applied to real-world scenarios. The combination of practical learning, theory, work experience, and interactive methods provides students with the best opportunity to grow and master the fundamentals of construction project management. For new applicants, this course offers an excellent opportunity to prepare for the challenges ahead in the construction sector.
Any favourite modules during your time studying?
My favourite modules were Planning and Programming, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Construction Law: Liabilities and Obligations, and Digital Construction Technology. These modules interested me the most and have been the most beneficial in my current day-to-day work. They provided both individual and team-based learning opportunities, which helped bring together different perspectives and ideas. This collaborative approach allowed us to explore various options and opinions for solving common challenges in construction.
What key skills did you learn while studying in ATU Sligo that have influenced your career?
Learning key aspects regarding law and contracts helps play a huge role in understanding the relationships between the contractors, sub-contractors and clients in day-to-day operations on-site. The understanding of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has come is very useful especially in a project as big as a data centre, the group exercises completed in the module Digital Construction Technology has set me up perfectly for my current role, during the module, as teams we were given a site and told to plan the stages of works all the way through, with the use of BIM Software we completed and presented it to a panel of judges.
Can you share some detail of your career path or further studies to date
After graduating, I began working with Dornan Engineering in September. I spent six weeks in Cork for training before being assigned to a Data Centre project in Belgium in early October. The opportunity to work abroad in Europe was one of the main reasons I chose Dornan. Additionally, the company came highly recommended by several employees as one of the best options for graduates, both in Ireland and across Europe.
What does your current role involve?
My current role is as a Graduate Project Planner, where I’m focusing primarily on the mechanical side of a data centre project. My responsibilities include checking and updating the project schedule, and collaborating with various departments such as engineering, health and safety, and commercial to establish quantities, dates, and costs that support the development and tracking of the program.
I also monitor on-site progress with subcontractors, producing reports for the client. Inputting the percentage completion data into Primavera P6 to generate weekly and monthly progress reports, which help visualize both actual progress to date and planned progression.
What advice would you share with our current students considering a career in your field?
My advice to current students would be to get familiar with the construction landscape by working summers or weekends on building sites, even if it’s as a laborer or general operative. This hands-on experience will help you visualize the various stages of construction and tie in the theory learned in Sligo, creating the perfect blend of learning that will prepare you for the industry.
Students should actively engage with those around the office and site and keep asking questions, luckily with Dornan Engineering this hasn’t been an issue, if you don’t know something you are better off asking no matter how annoying you think you are, everyone was at that stage once.
Communication, report writing, and presentations will be a significant part of construction project management, especially when dealing with clients and subcontractors. Clear, concise, and effective communication is essential in nearly every role in construction, so it’s vitally important to develop these skills.
Networking is also crucial in the construction industry. It’s surprisingly smaller than most people realize, and who you know can play a significant role in future opportunities. Joining professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a great way to meet construction professionals, attend industry events, and stay up-to-date on recent developments. These organizations also provide access to a wealth of materials and resources that can support your ongoing professional growth.
What did you like best about studying in ATU Sligo?
ATU Sligo was much closer to my home in Mayo, so I could get home in just 30–40 minutes, which I thought was fantastic. After two years of commuting, I was lucky enough to find relatively cheap accommodation, which allowed me to fully enjoy living in Sligo. Additionally, the size of the class created a great learning environment, enabling me to connect with the lecturers and build valuable networks with some amazing people.
The teaching experience in ATU is top-class, the lecturers are very engaging and have a wealth of knowledge, making the teaching experience enjoyable for all.
What advice would you give a first-year student starting in ATU Sligo?
My advice would be to attempt everything, give everything you do your 100% at least then you know you gave it everything you had. Sligo has a wide range of activities for socialising, various clubs and societies to make use of and to meet a load of new people.
Getting to know the staff at ATU Sligo can also be very beneficial, especially since many of them have a wealth of industry expertise and valuable contacts. Always ask questions and keep pushing to better yourself—because, at the end of the day, it’s your career and your life. Nobody else is going to do it for you.