Formerly Educated In Construction?

Greg P

Does anybody here have a formal education in building/construction? And if so, was it worth the investment in time/money?

Like a lot of people here I learn by doing, making mistakes, and picking brains.

But working by myself makes it hard to take my business/knowledge to the next level and taking classes in a local construction technology program is an option I'm exploring.

Appreciate the feedback and also, if you have that formal education...what do you do now?

Thanks,

Greg

CatAlii

I don't know how active unions are today but my husband (who has been a GC with his own business for 20 years) says the best thing he ever did was join the carpenters local union. He joined the union and worked for a couple very large contractors for about 7 years before deciding to start his own business. His trade was (and still is primarily) carpentry.

A W Smith

I wish I had done that. At 53 its too late. Parents talked me out of trade school. If I had listened to myself and not my family I would have been vested by now and practically coasting.

__________________
Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

philner

After taking vocational carpentry in High School, I went to Wentworth Institute Where I got my Associates Degree in building construction then my Bachelors Degree in Construction Management. Later I got my Masters Degree in Vocational Education. All in all I think the two years I spent getting my Associates helped me the most, probably the most important two years of my life. I own a small construction company and the bachelors degree dealt more in large scale construction such as high rises and large public works projects like airports and dams. I am a strong proponent of encouraging everyone to get the most education they can. All we can really sell is our time and that time's value is dictated by our knowledge. Knowledge= Money, Phil

Greg P

I really appreciate your answer -- pretty much what I was hoping to hear. I'm looking at an associate program and going to tour the facility tomorrow with the head of the dept. A little nervous taking this path (wife and kids at home depending on me) but you're right...knowledge=money. Well put. Thank you!

Ranger1

I went to vocational school, then received an associate's degree in bldg. constr. and design. After working for 10 or so years, I went back to school because i got bored. I went to Penn State for a Criminal Justice (Bachelor's Degree) but still worked carpentry to pay my $$$. Man, you figure (and so does everyone else!!!) there would be tons of jobs in this field(Crimj.) but there aren't! I graduated in '03 with the Crimj. degree, had 2 crappy paying jobs, now am back to doing carpentry for myself....So, I have 4 years experience plus my degree, and I cannot find a job...thank god i have the knowledge of carpentry to rely on!!! NOW, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE NICE LITTLE RECESSION ARE COUNTRY IS IN, WE WOULD BE O.K!!!!!!!! Sorry If that was a rant but you asked what we all do and education....

Greg P

Well it just goes to show you your associates degree and experience at least gave you the option to go back to carpentry and pay the bills. So I appreciate your feedback quite a bit. Nothing wrong with rants!

KevinA

I've got a BS in Construction Engineering and Management from NC State. Outta school I went to work as a geotech engineer, then did structural/civil work. I did a lot of inspections of large projects through construction. Now I'm on my own doing concrete work, and I use my background as a selling point. It works.

In school, one of the best classes I had was Estimating and Planning, learning bid take-offs and plans of attack for how to tackle jobs was good useful stuff. But I think the most beneficial thing I gained from my education and engineering work is knowing why things are designed a certain way and what things are critical. So many times I'd be walking a jobsite and find details that contractors overlooked, but to me were just glaring, stuff that could later lead to failures if not corrected. I spent a lot of time explaining to contractors why things had to be constructed a certain way, or just the intent of certain details in the drawings. I was always the guy that contractors hated to see onsite. There were many times I had to make guys rip out their work and redo it.

Greg P

This was the same point the head of this program made when I met with him last week. And it makes a ton of sense.

Thanks for your feedback.

Greg

Dan_Watson

I’m currently going to school for Technology Education. Under that I will teach primary and secondary ed. including woods, metals, and construction. I think it’s the best thing going that schools are starting to make it a requirement that students take at least one of these courses. If all it does is educate the students on what goes on and what is involved in construction and carpentry, that will be enough for me. Hopefully that ends all of these stupid homeowners that pick the cheapest bid and ask these stupid questions when they don’t agree with a price.