If the idea of seeing buildings take shape makes your heart beat faster and you have some mathematical skills, then perhaps you could consider a career in quantity surveying.

The quantity surveyor is the cost and financial specialist of the construction industry.

The work involves the measurement of building and civil engineering works, bid documentation, construction cost planning and economics and estimating cost of construction contracts.

This career will also require that you develop research skills, professional ethics and general knowledge related to the built environment and the quantity surveying profession.

The programme , offered at the University of Technology (UTECH) includes courses on the built environment, construction technology, civil engineering technology, quantitative methods and research methodology.

Duties are comprehensive and varied, depending on the work situation, but would mainly comprise the following:

. Estimating the cost of and assisting with determining the feasibility of projects
. Preparing documents for competitive tendering
. Tendering and negotiating for contracts
. Managing and exercising financial control
over contracts to ensure cash-flow and the profitability of
projects
. Controlling and managing subcontractors, suppliers and the like
. Concluding contracts upon completion of projects

The quantity surveyor will become a person who enjoys managing and controlling the cost of small to large projects and people at various professional levels and will be able to adapt to the diverse nature of the profession and client's business.

You will enjoy a varied employment situation, as well as a balance between working in office and on site, and appreciate the differences in the practice in both environments.

Good human relations, as well as the ability to think logically and report on situations in an orderly manner, are important skills you will need.

Entry requirements for the degree at UTECH include five subjects inclusive of English language and mathematics and three (3) others from among the following approval list: Chemistry, Physics, Additional Mathematics, Geography, Information Technology, Principles of Business, Economics
Technical Drawing, principles of Accounts, Pure and Applied Mathematics.

You will also need Subjects CAPE (level 11) or
the successful completion of the UTECH one-year Pre-requisite Course of Study (PCS) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.3

Alternative entry paths include any other programmes and qualifications obtained at a recognised educational institution. Applicants accepted via this route are required to submit academic transcripts and to document evidence of relevant work experience and certified copies of the course curricula studied are also required.

*Information sourced from the University of Technology.