Just the job: Saira Is-Haq at the NHBC

When did you decide to become a building surveyor?

About two years ago when I started my gap year here at the NHBC. But I had been interested in a career in construction since I was about nine. We had an extension built at home, and I remember looking out the window, seeing a pile of bricks and thinking "Wow! That's going to be my bedroom". That was the initial spark that eventually led me to start a degree in construction management.

But it is still regarded as an unusual career route for a second-generation British Asian, isn't it?

The trend among first-generation Asians has been to study to become doctors or lawyers - those are the professions that parents traditionally want their children to go into. But my brother, who's a surveyor, was a big influence on me. He said: "You can do this. It's fine."

Were you the only person of Asian origin in your class at university?

Yes, it was quite intimidating at first, but more because I was the only woman than because I was the only Asian.

Do you think the industry does enough to attract people from ethnic minorities?

I'm not really sure. I would like to see a few more Asians in the industry but how do you go about it? I think the aim has to be to target the parents. I still don't think construction is seen as a successful career.

What does your work at the NHBC involve?

My current role is quite wide-ranging. I deal with NHBC warranty issues and the Building Regulations, taking clients through the process of Building Regulation approval. I enjoy it and am still gaining a lot of experience.

You are still studying for a degree part-time. How do you find juggling work and study?

I definitely prefer the part-time route. I started doing a full-time degree but after I did my gap year at the NHBC they offered me a position to work here. I now work here three-and-a-half days a week and I've found that the pressure's reduced by half. If I'm studying for a particular module then I have a lot of people on hand I can call on - for example, the engineers are just downstairs and we have surveyors in the office. I would have graduated by now if I had stayed on at university full-time, but I wouldn't have got any practical experience - everything is just shown to you in books and on screen. Some people that study full-time end up waiting to get jobs, but I know that when I finish my degree I've got a job. It takes the worry out of it.