There is no single route into a career in construction. For Dustin van den Eerenbeemt, the journey began well outside the industry, with a first job as a general labourer at a wholesale meat processing and distribution company. Today, Dustin is a Quantity Surveyor at WT, working primarily across our payment certification and loan monitoring services.
Dustin’s career is an example of how exploring new opportunities and remaining open to unfamiliar paths can lead to a rewarding profession you may not have originally considered.
As part of our Careers in Construction series, we spoke with Dustin about his journey into quantity surveying, his experience working on major projects and the advice he would give to anyone considering a career in construction.
Finding a Path into Quantity Surveying
Dustin studied Construction Management and Administration at the University of Alberta, before continuing his construction education with Construction Estimating at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Combined with his industry experience, this path ultimately led Dustin to earn his Construction Estimator Certified (CEC) designation through the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS).
But construction was not necessarily an obvious career choice from the beginning.
“Someone close to me introduced me to the quantity surveying profession, and if it wasn’t for them, I probably would never have heard of the industry.”
It was that introduction that opened the door to quantity surveying and ultimately shaped the career Dustin has built in the construction industry.
Building a Career at WT
As a Quantity Surveyor at WT, Dustin works primarily within our payment certification and loan monitoring service lines.
These services place him close to the construction process, giving him exposure to projects as they progress from plans and budgets into built assets.
One project in particular stands out: the Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace, British Columbia.
“One of my most memorable projects was the Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace, BC. It was one of the first major projects I worked on when I started with SSA Quantity Surveyors (now WT), and I found it fascinating to see first-hand how a large and complex hospital redevelopment comes together through construction.”
For someone early in their career, seeing the delivery of a major hospital project first-hand gave Dustin an opportunity to experience the scale and complexity of the construction industry in practice.
Keep an Open Mind
Dustin’s biggest piece of advice for people considering construction is straightforward: keep an open mind and explore what is out there.
“There are so many careers in construction that you may not know exist. Ask questions, try different things, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on something unfamiliar. It might lead you to a career you never expected.”
Dustin’s journey reflects the many different pathways into construction. Through education, professional certification and hands-on project experience, he has built a career in quantity surveying that continues to expose him to different projects, sectors and opportunities across the industry.
At WT, we’re proud to celebrate the different experiences, backgrounds and routes that bring people into the construction industry, and the people who continue to build their careers within it.
Build your career with WT
At WT, careers in construction take many forms. Our people bring different experiences, disciplines and perspectives to their work, while contributing to projects and the communities they serve.
Interested in where a career in construction could take you? Explore opportunities with WT.
Dustin van den Eerenbeemt
Quantity Surveyor
