Matthew Highland began his career with an internship and dreams of becoming a project manager but soon discovered a passion for estimating. Moving into Quantity Surveying (QS), he balanced work and studies. After moving to the US from Australia, he worked in the tech and life sciences sectors before moving to Soben as an Associate Director.
Tell us about your career journey to date
I began my career with an internship, initially intending to become a project manager. But I quickly realised that project management was not the right fit for me. During this time, I discovered a passion for estimating, which led me to change my career direction. I moved into Quantity Surveying (QS), balancing work and studies as I was working alongside my degree. My first experience in QS was in the residential sector, where I handled tasks up from initial cost planning all the way to post-contract surveying before moving on to the industrial and commercial sectors.
I had the chance to travel the world with a friend, and I decided to take it. It was then I made the decision to move to the states! I was able to go and work in the US, where I worked in in the tech and life sciences sectors during a booming period. I noticed a much better work/life balance in the US compared to Australia. Over around six years, I lived and worked in different US cities, including Chicago, Denver, and Seattle. During this time, I gained a lot of experience working in tech companies and had some unique experiences. The pandemic brought a big shift in the industry, with a shift away from commercial real estate; from there I moved into data centers & life-science construction.
I then moved to Soben which was off the back of previous work relationships and timing really. I worked with Mark Smith for two years in Colorado, where he was my director, and Ana had reached out to me few times, but the timing wasn’t right. When I recently saw a job opening for an Associate Director, I knew the time was finally right to join Soben and take the next step in my career journey.
You’ve worked on many projects over the years – which stand out for you?
Out of all the projects I’ve worked on, the one that particularly stands out is the first job I worked on for a large tech company in Seattle in 2021. This project was the 8th largest underground parking structure in the world, with the car park alone costing a billion dollars and a total project budget of five billion dollars. This was the first project where I was leading the team, which made it a big milestone in my career. I really enjoyed the experience, especially watching all the elements come together. This project not only challenged me but also provided immense satisfaction seeing it successfully completed.
What has been your favourite project you’ve worked on, and why?
My favourite project that I’ve worked on was a Buddhist temple in Australia. This project was incredible for its classic curved gold-leaf tiles, which added a unique and stunning element to the construction. I was primarily involved in the estimating phase, but I also served as the owner’s representative, which meant I worked closely with the owners throughout the project. This role allowed me to ensure that their vision was accurately brought to life, making the experience both rewarding and memorable.
What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and why?
The most challenging project I’ve worked on was for a new-age healthcare drug manufacturing company. The project involved building numerous labs, which had a lot of technical challenges. Unlike my previous projects, where time and money were the key issues, this project needed a lot of collaboration with equipment vendors and the design team. We held many meetings with the client to focus on their priorities and ensure the project met their specific needs from the beginning. There was no room for error, so this project pushed my skills to the limit.
What have been the defining moments of your career?
I would say moving to the US. At the time, I was a bit frustrated with my career in Australia, and making the decision to move was huge. Because I moved alone, I left behind everything familiar, and it required a huge leap of faith in myself and my abilities. I reminded myself that I could always go back if things didn’t work out, but ultimately, this decision ended up opening many opportunities for me.
Did you always want to be an Associate Director? If you weren’t, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t in this role, I would have probably been a personal trainer. I love going to the gym and find physical exercise to be a great way to give my brain a rest. The idea of helping people achieve their fitness goals and improve their well-being is what I would have enjoyed doing.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
I would highlight the importance of writing lists. In today’s digital age, so much of our work is done electronically, but as a millennial, I’ve found a great benefit in physically writing things down. This helps me focus, which is crucial in our industry.
I would also say always doing your best but not taking criticism too personally. Working with many Type A personalities can make it easy to internalise feedback, but it’s important to remember that it’s not always about you. Seeking help when needed is essential; so never try to fake expertise. Just admit when you don’t know something and ask for guidance, this often leads to better outcomes.
Lastly, remember that you can never be an expert in everything, so continuous learning is key.
To find out more about Soben’s consultancy services in North America you can contact Matthew on the details below:
Associate Director
