Whatever major you decide on, it is important to get as much experience as you can, as it is something that will set you apart from the competition. The more you have early on, the more success you will have as your career progresses. Construction is a growing field, but jobs are not as plentiful as they were a few years ago, particularly for entry-level positions. The candidates with the most experience are going to have the best chance at landing a job.
Many companies have internship programs, either over the summer or part-time during the school year. Think of it as an investment toward your future career. If you do a good job, chances are that the company will want you back. They are investing in your future by training you. During college, I worked as a student engineer trainee for WI-DOT. I learned firsthand about the inspection process, scheduling and coordination of trades, among other things. When I applied for jobs I had three internships under my belt.
During the school year, join an engineering or architecture organization. Get to know people who are in the industry, and go to networking events. After graduation, join SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) or NAIOP (National Association of Industrial & Office Properties).
There are two common construction career paths: superintendent or project manager. Superintendents generally spend more time working in the field supervising subcontractors and overseeing the day-to-day activities, while project managers work primarily in the office and are responsible for estimating, scheduling and drafting contracts. As a superintendent moves up the ladder, he or she can become a senior project superintendent and eventually a general superintendent. Project managers typically become senior project managers and then project executives. It’s also possible to switch from a project superintendent to a project manager or vice versa, depending on whether you prefer an office or field environment.
When it comes to choosing a company to work for, consider the following options. Do you want to work for a small or large firm? Do you prefer commercial, industrial, or residential projects? I chose to work at Krusinski Construction Company because of the variety of work we do — from retail centers to warehouses and medical office buildings. Since joining Krusinski in 2004, I have overseen work on a 17,000-square-foot retail center in Blue Island, Ill., a 63,000-square-foot distribution center addition in Hanover Park, Ill., and a 32,000-square-foot medical and professional office building currently under construction in South Elgin, Ill., among others.
One final note: as a professional in the construction industry, it is important to stay abreast of technology and get certified in new procedures. Even after 11 years, I participate in one full training session each year and attend at least one trade organization meeting a month.
There isn’t one career path that is right for everyone. Become educated, spend some time in the field, and talk to someone in the industry. Then choose the path that is right for you.
About the Author
Stephen A. Moeller is a project manager for Krusinski Construction Company (krusinski.com), which provides comprehensive construction services for many of the Chicago area’s top developers as well as national corporations on a wide range of healthcare, distribution, manufacturing and retail projects. Headquartered in Oak Brook, the company is a member of Citadel Group, an alliance of nine ''best of class'' regional construction related companies in 19 cities that have affiliated to serve the needs of national clients. Stephen can be reached at stevem@krusinski.com.
