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Started By
Message
re: Construction Management redux.....
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:44 pm to cgrand
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:44 pm to cgrand
quote:
go back and read my first post
day one...here's a broom, get to sweeping
you'll move up from there
trust me
you'll stand out in the crowd of your peers
I have no qualms about doing this either. I would work wherever they needed me.
2
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:45 pm to Manored77
They actually have a pretty sizeable presence in CA. They have several alumni in high places in San Diego, in particular. Heck, San Diego has the largest LSU alumni chapter outside of Louisiana and Texas.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:46 pm to Manored77
then go do it
I'm not at all clear what your questions are
in any event, good luck to you
the industry needs smart people but more than that it needs motivated people
I'm not at all clear what your questions are
in any event, good luck to you
the industry needs smart people but more than that it needs motivated people
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:54 pm to cgrand
I have cm major from lsu. If you plan et stay around BR I would look into the industrial sector as well. Lots of work right now. Performance, Turner, jacobs, Zachary are all large companies that do alot of hiring.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:55 pm to cgrand
quote:
then go do it
I'm not at all clear what your questions are
in any event, good luck to you
the industry needs smart people but more than that it needs motivated people
My only question was what was meant by experience. Subcontractor work, grunt work or working for a contractor shadowing a super or field manager. I would prefer the latter but if it had to be the former, I'd also do it. Trust me I am motivated.
This post was edited on 7/22/16 at 9:57 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:56 pm to kingbob
quote:
They actually have a pretty sizeable presence in CA. They have several alumni in high places in San Diego, in particular. Heck, San Diego has the largest LSU alumni chapter outside of Louisiana and Texas.
Kingbob, do you think they'd be able to find me some intern work with the Post Bac before jumping into the masters?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 10:05 pm to 4LSU2
The experience comments relate to being on a job site doing real work...operating equipment, framing, running a jackhammer on concrete somebody screwed up, storing and maintaining material lay down areas, learning tools, understanding job site culture and methods of communication, becoming fluent in reading/interpreting drawings, etc, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour on this. The bottom line is, just like this guy said, if you don't know how to build it then you'll never be able to manage it. I worked in the field as a laborer for a couple summers starting the yr bf college. Worked my way up to managing small crews for misc activities the super felt like I could handle. Ended up helping him with layout for site work, foundations, building corners, interior finishes, etc. When I graduated LSU's CM dept I moved to Atlanta and got a job the first week I came over. My gpa sucked bc I partied my arse off in college, but they never even asked...I had that sheet of paper and I had 6 yrs of experience that allowed me to be fluent in the language of construction. That early experience has really propelled me to where I am today along with my ability to sell and develop relationships. Just started my own biz this year and we're kicking arse.
You need to pinpoint where you want to get. Do you like commercial or industrial? Do you want to be a GC and run the whole process or be a sub and try to be the best at your limited scope. Once you answer a few of these types of questions you'll be able to figure out the best spot to start learning. You can always go "hang drywall" for the local union but that may not expose you to other things that will help you grow in the right direction. Always be thinking about you're position and be mindful about doing things and being places that will be stepping stones for where you want to be. It will most likely not come fast, but you'll look back in 15-20 yrs and be astounded at all of your experience. Another thing I learned along the way...try to work for the best companies with the best reputations. You need to learn how they operate and emulate everything they do. It's been very beneficial to me.
Lastly, work your arse off. It kind of goes without saying, but get there early and stay late before you have a lot of family obligations. Those early years have the ability to propel you in the future even without you knowing it. You should also identify a few people that can mentor you along the way. For me it's successful construction related business owners that have character and integrity. It's invaluable to be able to pick up the phone and call those types of people and get insight on a situation you've never dealt with.
Sorry for the wall of text, but this is a subject I'm passionate about.
You need to pinpoint where you want to get. Do you like commercial or industrial? Do you want to be a GC and run the whole process or be a sub and try to be the best at your limited scope. Once you answer a few of these types of questions you'll be able to figure out the best spot to start learning. You can always go "hang drywall" for the local union but that may not expose you to other things that will help you grow in the right direction. Always be thinking about you're position and be mindful about doing things and being places that will be stepping stones for where you want to be. It will most likely not come fast, but you'll look back in 15-20 yrs and be astounded at all of your experience. Another thing I learned along the way...try to work for the best companies with the best reputations. You need to learn how they operate and emulate everything they do. It's been very beneficial to me.
Lastly, work your arse off. It kind of goes without saying, but get there early and stay late before you have a lot of family obligations. Those early years have the ability to propel you in the future even without you knowing it. You should also identify a few people that can mentor you along the way. For me it's successful construction related business owners that have character and integrity. It's invaluable to be able to pick up the phone and call those types of people and get insight on a situation you've never dealt with.
Sorry for the wall of text, but this is a subject I'm passionate about.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 10:15 pm to BLM
quote:
The experience comments relate to being on a job site doing real work...operating equipment, framing, running a jackhammer on concrete somebody screwed up, storing and maintaining material lay down areas, learning tools, understanding job site culture and methods of communication, becoming fluent in reading/interpreting drawings, etc, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour on this. The bottom line is, just like this guy said, if you don't know how to build it then you'll never be able to manage it. I worked in the field as a laborer for a couple summers starting the yr bf college. Worked my way up to managing small crews for misc activities the super felt like I could handle. Ended up helping him with layout for site work, foundations, building corners, interior finishes, etc. When I graduated LSU's CM dept I moved to Atlanta and got a job the first week I came over. My gpa sucked bc I partied my arse off in college, but they never even asked...I had that sheet of paper and I had 6 yrs of experience that allowed me to be fluent in the language of construction. That early experience has really propelled me to where I am today along with my ability to sell and develop relationships. Just started my own biz this year and we're kicking arse.
You need to pinpoint where you want to get. Do you like commercial or industrial? Do you want to be a GC and run the whole process or be a sub and try to be the best at your limited scope. Once you answer a few of these types of questions you'll be able to figure out the best spot to start learning. You can always go "hang drywall" for the local union but that may not expose you to other things that will help you grow in the right direction. Always be thinking about you're position and be mindful about doing things and being places that will be stepping stones for where you want to be. It will most likely not come fast, but you'll look back in 15-20 yrs and be astounded at all of your experience. Another thing I learned along the way...try to work for the best companies with the best reputations. You need to learn how they operate and emulate everything they do. It's been very beneficial to me.
Lastly, work your arse off. It kind of goes without saying, but get there early and stay late before you have a lot of family obligations. Those early years have the ability to propel you in the future even without you knowing it. You should also identify a few people that can mentor you along the way. For me it's successful construction related business owners that have character and integrity. It's invaluable to be able to pick up the phone and call those types of people and get insight on a situation you've never dealt with.
Sorry for the wall of text, but this is a subject I'm passionate about.
Be passionate all you want and let me know everything. I need to be schooled. I was hoping it wouldn't be actual grunt work but more shadowing the field manager but I am willing to do the former if it will make me better equipped in the long run.
The local unions offer apprenticeship programs that are structured and tailored to teach you the industry which is why I wanted to sign up with one but you think it would be too limited in scope? Is it not the same work? Same experience?
Now are you saying that it's near impossible to find an entry level project manager job without experience OR that I would benefit tremendously above and beyond if I were to actually get on a site and work first?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 10:22 pm to Manored77
you sound less like someone I'd hire every time you post
you've gotten the same advice from actual contractors here over and over again
go get a job with a contractor doing whatever the frick they ask you to do
then make it your mission in life to learn and move up
I'm not sure how else to say it
you've gotten the same advice from actual contractors here over and over again
go get a job with a contractor doing whatever the frick they ask you to do
then make it your mission in life to learn and move up
I'm not sure how else to say it
Posted on 7/22/16 at 10:22 pm to Manored77
You don't have to go be a day laborer to get in the industry. Don't work for a sub. That will limit your experience to one trade.
Almost every GC in DFW is hiring right now. We just hired 3 kids out of college as field engineers that had business or finance degrees. Give them a tape measure and start making punch list and addressing quality control. They will manage onsite materials, jobsite conditions, enforce the safety program, generate RFIs, daily reports...etc.
They will be assistant superintendents in a year or so. With this approach you get exposure to all trades. That is invaluable experience if your end game is PM. You need to know the details when writing scopes or negotiating change orders and contracts.
You can go swing a hammer or pick up trash for somebody if you want. But I would relocate for better opportunity.
Almost every GC in DFW is hiring right now. We just hired 3 kids out of college as field engineers that had business or finance degrees. Give them a tape measure and start making punch list and addressing quality control. They will manage onsite materials, jobsite conditions, enforce the safety program, generate RFIs, daily reports...etc.
They will be assistant superintendents in a year or so. With this approach you get exposure to all trades. That is invaluable experience if your end game is PM. You need to know the details when writing scopes or negotiating change orders and contracts.
You can go swing a hammer or pick up trash for somebody if you want. But I would relocate for better opportunity.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 11:05 pm to Pelagic Patron
Pelagic Patron, do you think a Post Bac Certificate that has all the basics is sufficient to land the work you're talking about? Or should I hold off until I finish a masters?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 11:30 pm to Manored77
Get a degree in cm. bachelors
Get a job with any contractor that will hire you.
Regardless of the field.
Proceed with your path.
Get a job with any contractor that will hire you.
Regardless of the field.
Proceed with your path.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 11:38 pm to Manored77
Shoot then an email. Can't hurt to ask. Just follow the links on the cm department page to get to the csa site.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 11:44 pm to HardHat
quote:
project engineer
please don't call them engineers.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 11:52 pm to thermal9221
quote:
Get a degree in cm. bachelors
Get a job with any contractor that will hire you.
Regardless of the field.
Proceed with your path.
Already have a bachelors in Econ. The Post bac I'm doing is sort of like an extra major. It's six core courses in the basics.
Posted on 7/23/16 at 12:12 am to BLM
you did it right... Solid post, and good info
Posted on 7/23/16 at 12:43 am to Manored77
No I was talking to BLM
Posted on 7/23/16 at 12:49 am to Manored77
quote:
Manored77
It seems as though a lot of this good advice is falling on deaf ears. You seem to understand what a lot of the successful guys are telling you, yet your posts continue sound like you want to take the easiest route to the top.
Take your head out of the books now. Put some gloves on and put a shovel in your hand. While you're digging holes, observe the site conditions and listen to conversations about problems and how they are fixed.
You learned the books. Now go learn how it's actually done on site, so you'll know first hand how they are fixed, and how it affects the project that you'll hopefully...someday manage.
I work with a lot of these cats. They know what their talking about, bro. Take the advice.
Posted on 7/23/16 at 12:51 am to lsugerberbaby
Of course I'm taking the advice, I was just responding to the other conflicting advice I've received on here too. I don't mind grinding it to get ahead. Trust me this isn't falling on deaf ears.
This post was edited on 7/23/16 at 12:54 am
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