At Frequency, our graduate project managers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of infrastructure, working on impactful projects while gaining invaluable experience. We recently sat down with one of our graduate project managers, Joachim, to hear about the experiences, challenges, and motivations in the world of project management.

What does your role involve? What does a typical day look like?

Now that I’ve had a bit more experience, I’ve started to take more ownership of the projects I work on. My typical day revolves around preparing for meetings, taking minutes, and then following up on key actions. Whether it’s health and safety incidents, design approvals, or responding to contractor queries, my job is to make sure the right people are talking to each other and that decisions are being made efficiently.

What motivates you in project management?

For me, it’s a sense of pride. Knowing that my decisions and actions directly impact a project’s success is incredibly rewarding. Every day, I get to help drive a project forward, solve problems, and influence outcomes. That responsibility is what keeps me engaged.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in project management?

You have to embrace the fact that you won’t know everything, and that’s okay. The key is knowing who to ask and how to learn from experts around you. Every meeting is an opportunity to absorb new knowledge, and working closely with senior professionals helps you grow fast.

How have your studies helped you in your role?

Some university courses, like construction and contract management, were really useful. Having a basic understanding of industry contracts like NZS 3910 is a huge advantage. But beyond that, the problem-solving mindset and structured thinking from my degree have been the most valuable.

How has your confidence grown since starting at Frequency?

Confidence comes from repetition—doing the job, learning from mistakes, and having the right support system. The people around me have been instrumental in building that confidence. It’s about knowing that you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room; you just have to connect the right people and ask the right questions.

Reflecting on your decision to join Frequency—how do you feel about it now?

I love working in project management, and I think this experience is invaluable. In the future, I might explore design or construction roles to round out my skill set, but I know I’ll always return to project management because it’s the space where I thrive.