When the time is right: meet Anna Jones, APC Candidate
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02 July 2024
Meet Anna Jones, Development Manager West Midlands Combined Authority. Learn more about Anna’s APC journey and aspirations in the Q&A below
Why did you decide to pursue your APC after a break and become chartered by RICS?
It wasn’t a conscious decision to postpone sitting my APC, but rather a product of the professional decisions I made with regards to my employment. Since graduating from studying MSc Real Estate in 2019, I found most of the graduate schemes weren’t suitable to for a new surveyor in their 30s and seem to be geared towards young, post-undergrads.
The grad schemes offered by many large firms can be hugely beneficial in helping you obtain MRICS, but they aren’t the right fit for everyone. I therefore sought out firms which offered the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in surveying, whilst also valuing the life experience and professional qualities I had. This enabled me to progress quickly in the firms I have worked in, however unfortunately, this has meant that APC support was lacking.
My current employer has been considerably more proactive and supportive of me pursuing my APC, which has given me the kickstart to go for it.
What has been the most challenging aspect of the APC process so far?
For me it has been accessing support and study materials. I am on the Planning & Development pathway and I’ve struggled to find online or professional support to help me brush up my skills and knowledge, as much of the accessible material is geared towards the Commercial Pathway or Building Surveying.
Speaking with Lionheart really helped as they have been able to point me in the right direction to find support and offered advice on where to access materials.
How do you think gaining your Charter will help your career, your business, or the team that you lead?
I have reached a point in my career where my knowledge alone cannot help me progress any further up the ladder and a formalised chartership qualification is required.
I would like to progress to a managerial position in my current organisation in the near future and being MRICS will further strengthen confidence in my ability to do this. Post-qualification, I would also like to provide mentorship to APC candidates pursuing the Planning & Development pathway as I’m aware there are currently very few people registered to do this.
What advice would you give potential candidates who might be taking a break in the journey towards membership at RICS?
Do not stress about taking a break if it is right for you careerwise. If you need to pause pursuing your APC to focus on your paid employment and experiential learning opportunities then you can always come back to your APC at a later stage and bring that knowledge with you.
I graduated 5 years ago and only recently it has felt like the right time to pursue my APC, as now I have the right support and all the experience I need to be confident to sit the assessment.
