Construction Industry Careers

Residential or commercial. Looking into different careers and curious to see what you do, a day in the life, education (college or job experience) that got you to where you are at.

 

The construction industry is an important economic indicator. One of the first to be hit by downturns and usually a little slow to catch up when the economy turns around. Construction is also seasonal. People don't want to have their kitchen remodeled at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Often tax season can delay potential projects. Or, the weather may be too inclement.
Therefore, the trades that are least effected are elec. and plumbing. Oh yeah, they'll call you to unstop a toilet Thanksgiving day but not to measure for new granite counter tops.
Food for thought for anyone considering a career in the trades.

 

What 831 said is true but once you build a reputation as a trustworthy professional who can be trusted and does good work you can stay pretty busy. When the crash hit 10 or 12 years ago we were able to keep our core crew working, it was tough but we survived. Every day there were guys coming in the office looking for work, felt bad we couldn't hire some of them. There is a shakeout every so often when things get overheated and a lot of contractors that shouldn't be in business are forced out.

 

I am a project manager for one of the larger self performing heavy civil commercial construction company’s in my area.

My bachelors is in biochemistry and I have an associates in industrial technology. I use to work in refineries. Started at the contractor level and was later a process operator for the company. I was making mid 6 figures in my mid 20s. But I was becoming burnt out by 29. I quit plant life 5 years ago and started as a laborer with the company I am with now. I worked my way through each rank. Laborer. Foreman. Superintendent. Assistant PM and now PM.

I actually planned on going back to school for construction management but my boss told me he would rather me work and learn in the field than go sit in a classroom. He said the lack of an additional degree will not prevent me from achieving anything in this company.

So here I am, now a full fledged project manager in an industry riddled with college kids with “construction management” degrees coming out of school expecting to be a PM with no actual hands on experience. It’s just not going to happen. Being hands on and learning the trade is more vital to the business. Obviously you still need to understand financials in my position, which I had to learn on the way. But it’s part of the responsibility. I now run 11 active projects ranging from 1.2M to 10m.

 

Danny,
Good point. I started in construction as a laborer and worked my way up to management. Many of the young people we have hired think they should start at the top running projects without a clue as to what they are doing. Many end up quiting because they don't want to put the time in learning at a lower pay scale, not understanding entitlement is not given but achieved through hard work.

 

Isn't it mandatory that you drive a Ford if you work in construction?

 

Been there, dealt with that. Most come in and get put in the field and think because they have a degree they shouldn’t have to put on rubber boots and wake up at 2 am so they can be there for 3 am to pull mud (concrete) for a big pour. Or just be there in general to see how the work gets put in place. You can’t expect to understand how to build the job from a management standpoint if you don’t understand how it gets put in place.

I’m not old by any means. I just made 35, so it took some time to earn the respect from some of the older guys. I grew up in a construction family. So I guess it’s in my blood.

But, because of my education and experience, HR felt I would be vital as a part of the hiring committee for all positions from the PM level down. Which I am glad to do because it only helps us become better as a business.

There is so much to do in construction industry. The only limitation is yourself and what you’re willing to put up with for what you want out of it haha.

 

This is what I've been looking at recently. Currently, I am a project manager (without the title, but most of the responsibilities) in the air force. I've been doing it for roughly 6 years. I want to get more education doing it to add on to my work experience. But reading how you were encouraged to get more real world experience leads me to why I made the post.

Basically, I don't want to waste time in a classroom if I don't have to.

 

God I hope not...cause I need to find the career for mandatory tundra owners...

 

I agree completely. Very few can manage if they don't understand all the trades, and processes that combine to actually make it a project.

 

Plumbing is my main job. Along with water treatment, wastewater treatment, natural gas distribution, aviation fueling systems, water distribution, fire suppression. My career field is pretty diverse.

 

After finishing high school I landed a job in building construction mainly insulation and roofing. From there I went to welding school and had a couple different jobs welding. I also became interested in driving truck.

I am not managment material. Been a supervisor and I just don't like it. I have a hard time properly motivating people to do their job.

Now I work for a small construction co. He has 3 trucks and runs about another 15 independents . I enjoy what I do, which isn't much. I show up on time, do my job without argument and go home. As of now the boss told me we got in with the contractor that has the interstate 81 job between Wilkes-barre and Scranton. Should be a couple years work.

I am very blessed that I was able to learn from my grandfather and father. From plumbing to electrical to wood working. My wife is amazed that she can show me a picture of something and I can go out in my shop and make it. From a small project for her Sunday school lesson to making kitchen cabinets. I may not be college educated (nothing against it) but I feel that I have done pretty good on this earth.

Now my wife on the other hand. She started as an entry level call taker in a call center and worked her way up to Director of quality. Has won a presidents award. That's why I can afford to drive a dump truck

 

I wouldn’t completely disregard an education. I think having both experience as well as fundamental knowledge gives you an advantage to people with just one or the other.

 

I’m not in construction, but I’ve worked in operations and held plenty of jobs as a laborer even with my MBA.

Experience will trump a degree in trade jobs and most other industries. I’d say if you’re willing and able, you’re most likely going to have to spend time in the trenches.

 

Absolutely spot on.

Shit, I have an MBA and can’t stand being behind a desk (found that out after getting my degree go figure) and took a couple jobs in operations and maintenance where I learned a ton. Doing that has afforded me to get in good with getting in a partnership in a sandblasting and painting company. Using my hands on skills with my education to run numbers. Still getting the wheels turning, but using this time to learn the ropes and techniques.
Like you said, having both is fundamental. My wife loves having a guy with a graduate degree that knows how to do plumbing or can troubleshoot what’s wrong with our dishwasher.

 

haha..so true. All industries are similar.

 

You should also consider the safety field. I worked full time EMS job and electrical and general construction on my days off. I decided to make a change and took a safety / training job at a large wastewater treatment plant 5 years ago. The pay is good, I don't mind teaching and the compliance part of the job isn't bad ether.

 

The safety side isn't bad. I haven't considered it as much as maybe I should have. I'll look into it, thank you.

 

The thing to remember about being the safety guy is that you'll never have any friends on the job site. If you want to be buddies with the tradesmen and go for beers after work, being a safety guy isnt for you.

Speaking from experience as I'm on our joint health and safety committee and I'm the shop's lead first aid attendant on top of being a welder and working side by side with the guys on the floor.

 

Oh absolutely, it's always a mixture of cussing and booing when the safety guys come out to a job site. Usually, when we see them coming we shut everything down till they leave

 

Totally agree. I am def pro education but still believe that higher education isn’t for everybody. But having my degrees has definitely provided the foundation needed escalate my path to be in upper management. I love my job and that makes it even better. My coworkers are also like my family. The Godfather to my 5 month old is a guy I met 5 years ago when I started here and were literally brothers from another mother at this point lol.

 

Railroad good retirement.

Plastic welding would be a good one.

 

My brother and I both worked in the building trades ~ I retired as a sheet metal worker, he was a cabinet maker by trade. At some point he was offered an opportunity to work with a local school district and took the job. I wish I had done the same thing. Private sector jobs look really appealing monetarily but the big institutions offer lots better benefit and retirement packages. The ultimate in the building trades is going into business for yourself if you're cut out for that sort of thing. However, if you're going to work for someone else it may as well be a public institution. They offer good job security, excellent benefits and a nice retirement ~ something rarely found in the private sector.

 

I keep struggling with this same issue you speak of @YardBird I work private and make over 100k but all the public works jobs are low 40's. That a hard pill to swallow especially when you might not be around to enjoy the ending of it all.

 

Your railroad?

 

Guess the national average is different than CA. Here in California the average government position makes more pay than it’s private counterpart PLUS benefits and retirement.

 

ARamirez73

Yes sir
Union Pacific

 

Same here! Tie South

 

Lol no crap

What gang
I went to bridge north little over a year ago whice sounds like we might be bridge south after all the restructuring going on.