When Fay Amiri first stepped into the world of construction, she wasn’t following a trend – she was following her family’s footsteps, her own curiosity and her belief that she could help shape the built world. Trained originally as an architect in Tehran, she spent a decade designing before furthering her studies in Australia and moving into construction project management.
Today, Fay is a Senior Project Manager trusted with complex, high‑profile projects – but the journey was far from effortless.
And that’s exactly why she shares it.
Because somewhere right now, another woman is wondering if she belongs in construction. And Fay wants her to know: You absolutely do.
Growing into confidence – not starting with it
Like many women entering the industry, Fay’s early years weren’t glamorous. She admits to tough days, and even tougher feelings.
“I cried a lot in the beginning. I felt weak. I felt out of place.”
But something shifted – slowly, steadily and through sheer persistence.
Fay built her confidence the same way buildings rise on site: layer by layer, through challenges, teamwork and problem-solving.
The result? A Senior PM leading multi‑million‑dollar projects, including FARA’s largest (at the time) – the industry-leading UQ Biosustainability Hub. She was trusted with it because she had proven herself again and again.
As she puts it, “Good things come to those who have proven themselves.”
The realities women face – and why it makes them exceptional
Fay knows the industry has changed – but not fully.
She’s no longer mistaken for an admin or coordinator. But she’s aware that some women still are.
She sees how male clients often let project teams run freely, while female clients feel the pressure to know every detail, ask every question and avoid every mistake.
“Women feel like they have to prove themselves every step of the way,” she says. “But honestly – that’s our advantage. We can’t skate through on mediocrity. We have to be excellent.”
And excellence becomes a habit.
Fay also acknowledges what many won’t say aloud: some men still resist taking direction from a woman. Some don’t take women seriously at first.
Her answer? Meet it head‑on – with knowledge, experience and unwavering strength.
“Long-term, this industry will change you. You become more direct, stronger. You learn how to stand your ground.”
Why she loves construction
For all the challenges, Fay lights up when she talks about the work itself.
The growth.
The constant learning.
The variety.
The privilege of pointing to something built and saying, “I did that.”
“Construction is never boring”, she says. “Every day is different. Every day you learn. And at the end, you can step back and see what you’ve created.”
Her career spans more than twenty state-of-the-art facilities across St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School, and multiple universities across South East Queensland. These buildings now stand as evidence to thousands of young women that they have a place in this industry.
Advice for women considering construction
When asked what she’d tell young women unsure about entering the industry, her message is simple:
- Never give up.
- Work hard.
- Learn as much as you can.
- And remember – you don’t have to start from the bottom. Education opens doors.
And perhaps her most reassuring message:
“Onsite isn’t as scary as it sounds. We have fun. We work hard. We build things. It feels amazing.”
Construction, she says, isn’t for those chasing just a salary – you won’t last long. It’s for those who love the craft of creating something real, something lasting.
“If you want to grow, learn, and build – construction is for you.”
Building a culture for future women
Fay is determined that the women coming after her will inherit a different landscape – one where they’re welcomed not for token appearances and quotas, but for their capability.
“A culture where everyone who wants to build is welcome,” she says.
She inspires younger women not through speeches and awards, but through example – showing that gender is irrelevant to quality, leadership and expertise. Particularly in her work at all-girls schools, she demonstrates daily what’s possible.
Construction needs more women, she believes, “because they don’t just build – they build the culture.”
She laughs and adds with a grin, “Not me – I make it worse! But other women absolutely do.”
Her message this International Women’s Day
Fay doesn’t romanticise the industry.
She respects it.
She knows it can be tough, confronting, even unfair.
But she also knows this truth:
Construction is one of the best industries in the world for women to thrive in.
Women bring precision.
They bring organisation.
They bring attention to detail.
And they bring a kind of grit that can’t be taught.
Fay’s story is proof that the industry doesn’t just need women – it is better because of them.