GC Student, Advice Needed.

Underwood84

I am 24, I work in an unrelated field to support myself and am working on a Bachelors in Construction Management (at Wentworth) to eventually make a career transition into commercial construction. I understand that work experience, through a co-op program or internships is essential to my transition but am unsure at what point i leave my safe and secure full-time job to pursue my career in construction, especially considering the current state of our economy. What are the vital skills I need under my belt before i look to get my boots wet? As experienced General Contractors, what would you recommend i do/get involved in to give me any edge when i go out looking for my first job/intership/co-op?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

concretemasonry

You need exposure in the general field of construction to see if you have the interest and aptitude to persue the studies. This will also give you some direction into which area you are interested in while you also do some very basic accounting and economics classes, which should be in the curriculum.

There are no thunderbolts from the blue or people to tell you if it is for you. Only exposure will tell you.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

philner

I got my b.s. in building construction from Wentworth in '86. I think you'll find the education will serve you well. It's a great school with a good reputation in the construction field. I think first you need to soul search about exactly what you want to do and live your life. While I was on co-op I had a job where I was in an office almost all day and found that wasn't for me. At another job ( with the same firm) I found I loved being on site, however most commercial constuction supervisors for large firms have to move around alot and I didn't see that working with my eventual goal of having a family, so I moved over to residential and have never been sorry. think about what you want and talk to the placement office about available opourtunities that would give you a foot in that door. Just my very long two cents. Good luck. Phil

CrpntrFrk

A guy asked me once if I would hire someone fresh out of school over a person with 4 years experience in the trades. I told him the guy with experience! It's great that you got this schooling and there is something to be said for that but hands on is the best education you could ever receive in this industry! You could read a book for a year on how to finish concrete but it would only take about a month for someone to teach you hands on to use a mag and steel to achieve a decent product. My advise is to first get a job under a good GC for a couple years before you jump in head first! Also visit this site as often as possible and listen to what everyone has to say! There is years of hands on experience on this site that you can't find in any book! Good Luck!

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