Master of the plan
by Heather Leggett
Sitting back in the crisp white boardroom of his offices in the Adelaide CBD,
co-director of Connor Holmes John Stimson has come a long way since his days on the ‘bottom rung’ of urban planning.
Fifteen years ago, Stimson graduated with a Master of Applied Science in Project Management from UniSA and for the past 24 years the easy-going director has planned and created countless developments – including one you might live in.
Growing up, the Adelaide local had a natural talent for geography – a trait no doubt passed on by his father who was a professor of the subject. But it was a love for creating places that drove Stimson into project management.
"I had a Bachelors degree in Urban Geography. Then in 1987 I had finished a Graduate Diploma in Regional and Urban Planning at UniSA," he says.
"Some time later, I knew I needed to up-skill to move forward. I was tossing up between doing a MBA or focusing on project management. In the end, I chose project management because of its more hands on approach."
It’s a decision that paid off. Not long after Stimson graduated, he landed a planning job at Hassell Planning Consultants and in 1997 relocated to the Philippines, working on a number of master planning projects on the islands.
"It was a steep learning curve, but a fascinating experience dealing with a different culture – how and why they want to develop their cities in a certain way."
Back in Adelaide, Stimson works alongside co-director and former UniSA classmate Stephen Connor at Connor Holmes, a development advisory firm that plans and implements projects across a diverse portfolio. Now, he spends much of his time on the urban design of new communities, requiring him to manage a range of consultants.
"We can help develop an entire project – from finding the site to gaining the approvals, managing the builder and handing over the finished product," Stimson says.
Now, 15 years since he stepped foot in a classroom, Stimson says the lessons haven’t stopped.
"In this industry, you have to constantly educate yourself on what is going on in the world," he says. "Take the time to ask people what they’re doing and why…it’s more than a nine to five job."
If you’re thinking about property management as a career, consider Stimson’s advice.
"Never stop asking questions, never stop learning," he says.
Attention 1994 graduates
If you remember your uni days, you might recall that much of your time was spent buried in a book at the library. Today, that resource is still a vital part of university life and its ongoing development relies on donations, many of them from former students. Each year, UniSA contacts graduates who are celebrating 15 years since graduation to encourage them to give back to the library.
If you graduated in 1994 and are celebrating 15 years since graduation, please consider donating to the 2009 library appeal.
To make a donation, click here.