‘All roads lead to industrial’: Jessica Topelson’s unconventional career journey

There’s no single pathway into industrial – and Jessica Topelson is proof of that.

Before joining Vaughan Constructions seven years ago, her career was rooted in advertising, branding and property marketing.

Today, she’s delivering major logistics facilities as a development manager, while leading the way for more women to dive into an industrial career.  

A non-traditional pathway into industrial

Jessica Topelson didn’t plan on a career in logistics and construction.

Her professional life began in advertising, then branched into branding and communications, working with household names like Brand Tasmania and Tennis Australia. Over time, she found herself drawn towards property-focused projects.

‘I had a lot of exposure to architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and placemaking,’ she says. ‘That whole built-form environment really interested me.’

That interest led Jessica client-side into property development and construction marketing. But after returning from maternity leave during a downturn in the residential apartment market, she found herself having to reassess her next move.

That’s when an opportunity at Vaughan Constructions caught her attention.

‘At the time, industrial wasn’t on my radar,’ she says. ‘I hadn’t worked in the sector, so I wasn’t sure how I’d go or what it would be like.’

But the more she looked into industrial, the more it appealed to her.

‘I was drawn to the fact that industrial development underpins so much of everyday life, from warehousing and logistics to food and medicine distribution,’ she explains.

‘It’s an industry built around solving real-world challenges, with long-term relevance, stability and impact – and that was something I wanted to be part of.’

So she backed herself and went for the role.

Navigating a completely new industry

The transition into industrial wasn’t easy. Jessica joined Vaughan as a Bid Manager while navigating life with a 13-month-old daughter at home – and learning an entirely new industry from scratch.

‘Initially it felt overwhelming,’ she admits. ‘But I had great support from colleagues and mentors at Vaughan.’

Determined to learn quickly, Jessica immersed herself in every part of the business. She sat in meetings with architects, engineers and subcontractors, attended client site visits, and picked the brains of colleagues across the design and construction departments.

‘I just said yes to everything and figured it out as I went,’ she says. ‘You have to trust the process, be inquisitive and not be afraid to admit when you don’t know something.’

Seven years on, Jessica still believes authenticity and curiosity are essential.

Transferable skills matter more than you think

The idea that industrial only suits people with technical or construction backgrounds is a misconception Jessica wants to challenge.

She explains, ‘In my experience, the skills that matter most are transferable. Skills like relationship management, negotiation and communication – all of which were a huge part of my background.

‘You can learn the technical side over time if you’re willing. But the baseline skill set is really a customer-centric mindset.’

That perspective helped shape Jessica’s own career progression at Vaughan. After starting in bid management, she gradually built confidence, developed strong client relationships and began winning projects for the business. Soon, she decided to step into development management.

‘I definitely felt out of my comfort zone,’ she says. ‘But getting uncomfortable – and becoming comfortable in the uncomfortable – was a big part of the growth.’

That growth eventually led to one of her proudest career moments: helping deliver the Synnex Logistics Distribution Centre in Oakleigh South, Victoria.

The 34,000m² facility includes a 35-metre-high, 4,283m² highbay warehouse with integrated robotics. And Jessica was involved from the very first conversation.

‘Being involved from the initial phone call through tendering, negotiations and construction was incredibly rewarding,’ she shares.

And now, every time she drives past the facility near where she grew up, she sees the tangible outcome of years of collaboration and problem-solving.

A lot more than steel and concrete

Like many people outside the industry, Jessica once viewed industrial through a fairly narrow lens.

‘There’s still this stigma that it’s just steel and concrete warehouses out in the western suburbs,’ she explains.

But today’s industrial facilities are sophisticated and thoughtfully designed around the needs of end users. Robotics, automation, sustainability and advanced operational design are reshaping the sector as ecommerce continues to accelerate.

And that complexity is exactly what makes industrial so exciting.

‘One of the things I value most about this industry is the variety,’ Jessica says. “No two projects are ever the same. From cold storage facilities and automated high-bay warehouses to freight, logistics and manufacturing infrastructure, the work is far more dynamic and innovative than most people realise.

‘What also stands out to me is the critical role industrial plays in everyday life. It’s often the unseen part of the built environment, quietly keeping supply chains moving and supporting the systems communities rely on every day.’

Why more women should consider industrial

The move into industrial was a career pivot that paid off – completely reshaping how Jessica viewed the sector and her own future within it.

She believes industrial offers enormous opportunities for women, especially those who may not come from traditional industry pathways.

‘In my experience, the sector is open to people from different backgrounds,’ she says. ‘And women help make this industry even more vibrant. We bring fresh perspectives.’

Her advice for women considering a move into industrial? Stay open-minded.

‘If you’re someone who thrives on critical thinking and enjoys dynamic, fast-paced work, industrial is an incredibly rewarding industry to be part of,’ she says. ‘There are so many moving parts and so many high-performing people to learn from. And every project brings new challenges.

‘What I value most is the sense that you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself – being part of teams that come together to deliver outcomes with real impact.’

It’s also why Jessica values Vaughan’s ongoing support of women in industrial and the company’s partnership with WIN.

‘Vaughan has backed me personally, and they’ve backed Women in Industrial,’ she says.

That support, combined with industrial’s long-term growth and diversity of opportunity, is why Jessica believes more professionals will continue gravitating towards the sector.

As she aptly puts it: ‘All roads lead to industrial.’

Want to hear more inspiring stories about women in industrial? Connect with WIN on LinkedIn.