Q+A with Begüm Karamanoğlu

How do you describe your job to people outside of the industry?

As an assistant project manager having an architecture background, I can describe project management as the effort to lead the team to deliver the best design solutions on time and within the scope of the project budget.

Why did you decide to become a project manager?

At first, I decided to be an architect so that I could use my creativity for my professional life. The idea of seeing something you've designed become reality was really exciting to me. We spend the majority of our lives in constructed environments, which are products of architectural design. Architecture can structure how we live, our attitude, and our behavior. I was also excited to have the chance to affect people’s lives positively.

After 11 years of architectural experience and in the final stage of my construction project management master program, I decided to use my architectural knowledge to manage design projects. I like to develop and improve myself constantly. Every new project you manage brings with it a new set of stakeholders and a new team. Regardless of how many projects you've completed previously or how many classes you've taken, you'll essentially be learning as you go.

How would you describe life at Ghafari?

Life at Ghafari really provides a space to thrive! You can be supported by all members of the team when you have a desire of self-improvement. It is a very good place to learn from others and also share your experiences.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened during your time here?

When I first started at Ghafari, I was assigned to the task of designing one of the buildings of Turkish Airlines’ new campus. That building was my first industrial building design, it was the first time I was designing collaboratively with other disciplines, and it was my first time applying a BIM approach. Now, seeing that building being constructed is really exciting.