I Need Career Advice

tgrib

I am a licensed general home improvement contractor with a remodeling business of 8 years. I have Bachelor's degree in Business and Mathematics. I have been considering getting out of the remodeling industry in favor of a construction/project management position in commercial construction. The problem I am running into is my lack of commercial construction experience. Not to mention the fact that I really do lack experience in many aspects of construction, afterall, I have specialized in remodeling for the last 8 years. Here is my crux: do I go back to school and hopefully get a Masters degree in construction management to offset my lack of commercial construction experience, or do I take several industry related professional courses and/or certifications. I am not sure what the "higher ups" within the large local construction companies would prefer. Anyone have any input?

mickeyco

Bad time to get out of remodeling, out here it's booming. What are the people that are hiring for the job you seek require, that's what you need. Schooling usually doesn't hurt but it can sometimes you with a really large bill. Might try getting in somewhere at a lower position that will pay for school while you gather experience.






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__________________
Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.

Kaiser

I worked my way up in the Biz. Things are different in the Commercial side yes. Being a carpenter definitely helps.

I was hired for my first Comm. Sup. Job by a long time Construction Pres. for a mid sized G.C. in Denver based on my years of experience in the field but the main factor in his mind was I was a Carpenter.
His thinking was that Carpenters know how the stucture is built. Once you understand what makes the building stand and last a life time the rest falls into place.

Your experience in remodeling has taught you the most important thing which is sequence. You don't have to know all of the nuances of every trade a good understanding of how things go together and good subcontractors will get the job done.

I do not have a degree of any kind and made my way up to P.M. on 40 to 50 million dollars projects. While a degree will be required by the larger Companys and of course bring more money my advice to you is jump in with both feet and work on the schooling while you learn in the field.

Good Luck

__________________
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Henry David Thoreau

constructonomics

I've worked in commercial construction for seven years, and I also have a master's degree in construction management. Large GC's don't really care about a master's...yet. Owners love master's degrees, but it's tough to get in there. If your experience is in residential you may want to look for a job with a large home builder or custom home builder and then move into commercial construction from there. Otherwise, you could be a super for a GC doing interior stuff.

Cdat

A master's degree huh? Wow, and you're posting a response to a thread that was last updated a YEAR ago?


*snicker, snicker*

constructonomics

Then why is it in the top of the discussion list?

Besides, I'm sure this person still needs career advice.

John
www.constructonomics.com