“It was incredibly inspiring to hear people’s different career journeys. It made me realise just how many directions you can take once you get a foot in the door.”
When Vanessa Byrnes joined FSC’s Switch 2 Infrastructure program, she wasn’t just changing roles, she was stepping into an entirely new industry.
With a background spanning management consulting and healthcare leadership, Vanessa brought deep experience in project delivery, contract management and people leadership. What she was looking for next, however, was flexibility, learning, and a chance to apply her skills in a new and tangible way.
“I’d reached a point where I wanted something different,” Vanessa says. “I have an inquiring mind - I love learning new things and meeting new people - and I was looking for work that would allow me to balance my career with family life.”
After seeing the Switch program advertised through Work180, Vanessa applied, curious about whether infrastructure could offer the challenge and variety she was seeking.
Vanessa describes her first days at FSC as both exciting and reassuring.
“Everything felt new - a new industry, new people, new ways of working - and I loved that. From the moment I walked into the FSC office, everyone was welcoming, supportive and genuinely invested in helping me succeed.”
Early in the program, Vanessa was introduced to different areas of the infrastructure industry through informal mentoring, technical webinars and conversations with industry professionals. This exposure helped her build foundational knowledge while also seeing the breadth of career pathways available.
During her Switch training program, Vanessa completed placements with Carey Civil and CPB Contractors, working across contract administration, cost estimation, social procurement reporting and data analysis.
Her prior experience managing large government contracts translated naturally into infrastructure, while her curiosity and adaptability allowed her to quickly build new technical skills.
“Contract management is contract management, no matter the industry,” Vanessa explains. “What changes is the context and learning that context was one of the most valuable parts of Switch.”
Alongside traditional contract administration work, Vanessa also began exploring how automation and AI could improve efficiency and quality across systems - identifying opportunities to reduce manual processes and improve accuracy.
“There’s enormous potential for better systems and automation in infrastructure,” she says. “That’s something I’m really excited to keep developing as I grow in the industry.”
One of Vanessa’s proudest achievements came toward the end of the program, when she was offered a part-time contract administration role with CPB Contractors, despite a broader hiring freeze.
“That was always the goal,” she says. “To learn the industry, build relationships, and transition into a role where I could continue growing. Being able to do that - and on a flexible, part-time basis - felt like a huge achievement.”
For anyone considering a career change or thinking about applying for Switch, Vanessa’s advice is simple:
“If you enjoy learning, meeting new people and taking on new challenges, it’s a fantastic opportunity. The program gives you exposure, support and the chance to shape your own pathway. Once you’re in, there’s a world of opportunity.”
Ellen Connor and Vanessa Byrnes
