Switching Lanes

by Carly Woodason, Contracts Manager

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After 14 years in hospitality, I made what many considered an unexpected leap into construction project management. While these industries might seem worlds apart, my transition taught me that skills are more transferable than we often realise - and that it's never too late to change course.

The Hospitality Foundation

My journey began in 2006 as a bartender and waitress at a local pub, progressing to supervisor and eventually assistant manager handling cashing up, rotas, stock takes, ordering, and cellar management. In 2017, I moved to football stadiums, arenas, and horse racing venues, working closely with head chef Allen on larger-scale operations - writing menus, organising events, and jumping into my chef whites to assist with service for gala dinners and football matches when needed.

This experience taught me crisis management under pressure,coordinating multiple teams simultaneously, managing client relationships, and making real-time resource decisions. When a Friday night we'd staffed for heavy crowds turned unexpectedly quiet, I had to rapidly redeploy team members while controlling labour costs - skills that translate directly to construction project management.

The Catalyst for Change

The decision didn't happen overnight. For two years, the 12–14-hour shifts on my feet, unsociable hours, and often thankless work had been chipping away at me. Then COVID hit in 2020, and I was made redundant from the confex and arenas sector. When a role came up at MWA, it excited me and terrified me in equal measure, but I recognised it as the opportunity for change I'd been subconsciously seeking. Sometimes life pushes you toward the door you've been afraid to open.

Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

Before I could start my new role, I had to overcome my biggest obstacle: myself. The internal voice was relentless - "You don't know anything about construction," "What makes you think you can do this?" This was full-blown imposter syndrome before I'd even stepped foot on a construction site.

I gradually learned to challenge these thoughts with evidence of what I could do. I'd managed complex operations under pressure, led teams through crises, and consistently delivered results. Those weren't small achievements - they were proof of capability. Once I quieted that critic, I got stuck in, learning from the talented professionals around me rather than trying to prove I belonged.

The Reality: Skills Transfer Better Than You Think

The Pace: Instead of managing dinner rushes, I'm coordinating procurement schedules and handling scope diversions that shift entire programme timelines.

The Relationships: Construction is relationship-driven. Success depends on building trust with subcontractors,suppliers, clients, and inspectors - a lot like hospitality, it’s the same but different.

The Problem-Solving: Every day brings new challenges.The analytical thinking I developed troubleshooting operations transfers directly.

I had to learn technical knowledge, construction software, regulatory requirements, and safety management, but the core skills -communication, multitasking, budget management, and team leadership, transferred seamlessly.

It's Never Too Late to Change

Age is an asset, not a liability. At 14 years into my hospitality career, I brought real-world experience that younger candidates couldn't match - emotional intelligence, leadership maturity, and resilience. Later-career changes often succeed because we have clarity of purpose, financial stability for strategic decisions, and proven track records.

The biggest barriers are mental: "I'm too old to learn," or "I'll be competing with people half my age." But you're offering something different and more valuable - wisdom, stability, and proven performance.

Change isn't just for the young - it's for the brave at any age.

The Truth About Career Transitions

Here's what nobody tells you: you're more ready than you think. The skills you've spent years developing aren't industry-specific, they're human-specific. Your ability to solve problems under pressure, manage people and resources, and deliver results doesn't lose value when you change sectors.

The biggest barrier isn't your lack of technical knowledge, t's the fear that whispers you don't belong. Every expert was once a beginner,and every industry needs people who think differently and bring fresh perspectives. The perfect time to make a change rarely exists, so stop waiting for permission from fear and start trusting the experience you've already earned.

Take the Leap

Career transitions feel daunting, but skills are more transferable than we realise, and diverse backgrounds are assets, not liabilities. The key is articulating your value proposition and maintaining confidence in your unique perspective.

Your years of experience aren't starting over from zero -you're simply applying proven skills in a new context. The foundation is already there; you're just building something new on top of it.

Take the leap - your skills will translate, you will adapt,and you might just surprise yourself with how naturally you fit into a world you thought was closed off to you.

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