High school students enjoy a fun day out with friends while exploring diverse and lesser-known careers in property. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
About 100 female students recently caught a glimpse of the many facets of their local property sector, along with some free goodies, at the Canberra 2025 Girls in Property event.
Grade 9 and 10 students from the ACT Government’s Understanding Building and Construction Program gathered at University of Canberra (UC) for the initiative run each year by The Property Council on a national scale.
It marked Canberra’s biggest year yet for the program, which added confidence-building and elevator pitch workshops for the first time.
ACT Property Council executive director Ashlee Berry launched the event, alongside UC Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten and Ginninderry sustainability manager Jess Stewart.
“Girls in Property raises awareness among high school students of how varied careers can be in our industry,” Ashlee said.
“It also aims to generate a diverse pipeline of talent by encouraging more women into our sector.
“The level of passion, talent and energy in the room was inspiring. These young women are switched on, ready to make an impact in both property and construction.”
Students heard from several speakers, each enjoying a fulfilling career in a different area of property or construction.
Sales agents, project managers, marketing specialists, engineers, architects, developers and property lawyers took to the podium to divulge their best tips for industry entrants and talk about what their day-to-day work looks like.
The young women also heard about challenges faced by the industry, innovative opportunities in Canberra, and how property contributes to social and economic development.
Ashleigh Bujaroski and Rosanna Curtotti from local developer Village Building Co. then took the room through a dynamic industry quiz, which Ashleigh said led to brilliant feedback.
“I was truly touched by the number of girls who came up to me during breaks to ask more questions about my role,” Ashleigh said.
“A few even mentioned that they hadn’t considered marketing as a property career before, which was really heartwarming. Their enthusiasm and curiosity reinforced how important events like these are in opening doors and sparking ideas.”
Next up, students practised assertive body language during a quick confidence workshop and learned about speaking up, backing themselves and supporting others in tense environments.
Seeing students engage with genuine, thoughtful questions throughout the day provided a highlight for Ashleigh.
“Being surrounded by so many bright, curious young women took me back to when I was their age, imagining what life might look like after school,” she said.
“There weren’t any events like this in Canberra when I was finishing school. I wish there had been because I could have found my dream role sooner with a little guidance.”
After an encouraging address from Minister for Women, Marisa Paterson MLA, students enjoyed a development site tour on campus before returning to the lecture theatre to snap up their loaded goodie bags.
Ashlee was thrilled to see Girls in Property receive funding in the most recent ACT budget.
“Initiatives like Girls in Property and the Understanding Building and Construction Program are so important,” she said.
“Girls in Property is instrumental in encouraging young women to consider non-traditional roles in our industry. We’re keen to see the program continue in Canberra, as it will boost our local sector as well as add to the talent pool on a national level.”
For more information, visit The Property Council: ACT.
