Spotlight Feature
Max Andrews
Do something you love - it makes such a difference and you will naturally be passionate about your work
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Tell Us About
Yourself
I'm Max Andrews
Age: 19
Occupation: Apprentice Surveyor
Professional/Sector Specialism: Property Consultancy / Office Agency
Company: Avison Young
Which inspirational quote describes you best?
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” – Steve Jobs
What part of the Midlands do you call home?
Proud to be born & bred in Birmingham.
Tell us about your interests and hobbies.
Anything that provides a sense of adventure or gets the adrenaline pumping I love.
I’m a keen sailor currently working towards a RYA Day Skipper qualification. Growing up around boats with the family naturally draws me to it, but really nothing beats being on the water. I also love skiing in the winter - the adrenaline of throwing yourself down a mountain (not literally), and obviously après drinks, makes it my holiday of choice.
What makes you ‘unique’?
I’m told my passion for industry is what sets me out from the crowd. I love the job, helping others and inspiring the next generation.
What has been the highlight for you so far?
It has to be starting my sailing courses towards my RYA Day Skipper qualification.
Tell us a little bit about your personal and career journey.
During school I always wanted to be working, so I got stuck in and started working in my local restaurant as a waiter. It turned out that I loved the hospitality industry, so I continued working in restaurants whilst completing my GCSEs & A-Levels. Post A-Levels, I wasn’t keen on attending university so I continued with my job full time and started to look at options for careers in property.
During the search, I discovered most surveying jobs required a degree or long term property experience – for a person who had little experience and little intent to attend university, it was a slight problem. I continued to tirelessly search for alternative pathways and this was where I stumbled across a ‘Level 6 Chartered Surveying Apprenticeship’ - a brand new scheme in the industry. This made trying to find a company offering the course very difficult, but after hours of searching, I found a job advert, applied and secured the job.
In September 2017, I started an apprenticeship at a general practice surveying firm - White Rose Chartered Surveyors who specialise in Industrial agency. As part of the scheme, I also started a part-time Real Estate degree at Birmingham City University whilst learning on the job. Working at White Rose really gave me the foundations I needed for the start of my career journey and confirmed a property career was definitely for me.
This is where I really got stuck in. Through university, I attended the RICS Matrics Pub Golf event and after some time, I eventually joined the Matrics board organising events.
6 months into my career, I was approached to continue my apprenticeship with Avison Young. The opportunity to work for an industry-leading company was something I couldn’t turn down, so I joined the Avison Young's Office Agency team in February 2018. Ever since I have continued to love the career and now work with the RICS and Avison Young to promote careers in property and more particularly the apprenticeship scheme.
What are your career goals/aspirations?
My short term aspiration is obviously to complete the 5-year apprenticeship and achieve Chartered Surveyor status. Long term, it has to be to climb the job ladder to a director position in a top UK surveying firm and leading a team.
What challenges do you face on a daily basis?
There are many challenges within the property industry however the most prominent for me is trying to answer the most unusual questions people can have during viewings.
Can you tell us what is the most favourite aspect of your role?
Without being cliché, it’s the fact that no day is the same. One day I can be conducting viewings and the next day I could be working in a team providing advice to one of the company’s top clients.
What has been your greatest career milestone to date?
It has to be securing my initial job at White Rose because it provided a solid foundation to my career and led to the opportunity to work for such a great company like Avison Young.
Who has been your inspiration both personally and professionally?
My inspiration stems from the family around me and I’ve been lucky to grow up around some great people.
Firstly, my Grandfather and Dad, who collaboratively created a leading business, have shown the work ethic needed to succeed and grow professionally.
Secondly, my Mum has continuously developed my soft skills throughout my personal and professional journey. Collectively, they all inspire me on a day to day basis to never give up and keep pushing myself.
What would you like to achieve in the future?
I would like to be providing top quality advice to clients of my own, hold a RYA Yachtmaster qualification and chairing the RICS Matrics committee.
What advice or tips of positivity would you like to share with others?
My best advice for people looking to join the working world is to get as much work experience as possible. It’s not only impressive on a CV but it will provide so much insight into different ways of working.
My other tip would be to do something you love - it makes such a difference and you will naturally be passionate about your work which really talks to clients.
