Name: Carla Jokic
Job title: Senior surveyor – energy and infrastructure, Gerald Eve
What I do: I work in the energy team at Gerald Eve providing real estate advice to energy clients across the full spectrum of energy technologies.
Why I got into the property industry: I knew I was interested in property generally, but I knew little about what jobs were available, how varied it was and how I could apply my interests. My mum suggested I looked into surveying, which is how I found the apprenticeship scheme and ultimately, the job I’m in now.
How I did it: I worked as an apprentice surveyor for four and a half years, doing my bachelor’s degree in real estate management while rotating around the company, getting experience across different service lines and asset classes.
My first proper job: Working in a coffee shop.
My first big break: Probably yet to come…?
My inspiration(s): Female leaders, inside and outside of real estate.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Balancing full-time work alongside degree study was challenging, but equally so was the APC process.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: I’m very proud of how far I’ve come since joining Gerald Eve when I was 18. I’ve done a lot of growing up and learned a lot. I haven’t ever regretted choosing to do an apprenticeship while almost all my friends went to university, especially when I look at where I am now.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I think there is a lack of knowledge as to how wide-ranging the industry is in terms of the roles we play as ‘surveyors.’ If there was better awareness of this, particularly at school age, more people from different backgrounds might be attracted to the prospect of working in real estate. This would then help to diversify the profession, which is really important.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The lack of women in leadership roles. This is changing, but far too slowly. To continue to diversify the industry, we need more female role models that junior women and men can look up to.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Diverse environments are the most interesting and innovative places to work. The industry will stay the same if we continually hire the same genre of person. It develops and evolves when there is a variety of people’s backgrounds, interests, and ideas.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Part of the reason I enjoy working in the energy sector so much is the fact I feel like I am actively contributing towards a more sustainable future. The built environment is a huge contributor to climate change, and we all have a part to play, both professionally and personally.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Hopefully, still enjoying what I do and working with people I like and respect. I admire people who are renowned and respected for their expertise, which is something I aspire to.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: All of my grandparents.
What I do in my downtime: Cooking, eating, reading, socialising, etc.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Maybe a food critic – it seems like a pretty good job if you like food.
My advice for someone just starting out: Try to meet as many people as you can. Creating a big network early on is really valuable – you never know when you’ll cross paths with people again in the future.
My motto/mantra: I don’t really have one in particular, but my colleague told me this the other day which I liked: “You can’t be the best every day but you can try your best every single day.”
