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Started By
Message
Construction Project Management and Career Changes
Posted on 11/30/20 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 8:36 pm
Any of you Baws and Bawettes have any experience with changing your career at 29 years old? I graduated in CM and have been (and currently) in a Project Management position for a General Contractor for the past 6 years making excellent money. However, every day that passes I realize that this job does not fit who I am or who I want to be. I am more the type that wants to help people reach a goal. Maybe something in finance or real estate (preferably land and timber sales). The problem is, I have 0 education or experience in either. Now I work for an amazing Company and amazing group of people who I wold do anything for, but no amount of those things will ever change this industry, what is required to survive in it, and how it will completely break you down until you turn into someone you hate.
For those that don't know, this job is like sitting in a giant pressure cooker of stress and anger day in and day out. There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over. It will turn you into the worst version of yourself and slowly affect your personal life (the small one that you are allowed to have). There is a high probability that you will become an alcoholic and just an down right unhappy individual which will ultimately affect your wife, kids, and family. There is no such thing as a work/life balance. The job comes first. Period. You are either on the A Team or you are off the Team. Pick one. I just cannot imagine an entire career of being a part of this God forsaken industry full of greed and lies.
I'd say I have about 80% bad days and 20% good days. Maybe it has just been one of those days and I just needed to vent, but I know that one day soon I am going to just walk away and never look back.
Have any of you ever had experience in this industry? Does it get better? Has anyone made a drastic career change at 29? If so, were you happier after?
Sorry in advance for the long rant.
For those that don't know, this job is like sitting in a giant pressure cooker of stress and anger day in and day out. There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over. It will turn you into the worst version of yourself and slowly affect your personal life (the small one that you are allowed to have). There is a high probability that you will become an alcoholic and just an down right unhappy individual which will ultimately affect your wife, kids, and family. There is no such thing as a work/life balance. The job comes first. Period. You are either on the A Team or you are off the Team. Pick one. I just cannot imagine an entire career of being a part of this God forsaken industry full of greed and lies.
I'd say I have about 80% bad days and 20% good days. Maybe it has just been one of those days and I just needed to vent, but I know that one day soon I am going to just walk away and never look back.
Have any of you ever had experience in this industry? Does it get better? Has anyone made a drastic career change at 29? If so, were you happier after?
Sorry in advance for the long rant.
20
Posted on 11/30/20 at 8:52 pm to OGD
Learn to put up a mental wall or GTFO
It’s about the money and nothing else. That’s the decision you have to make
It’s about the money and nothing else. That’s the decision you have to make
Posted on 11/30/20 at 8:58 pm to OGD
hate to break it to you but if that’s your life you work for a shitty contractor. I’m a contractor and my days are nothing like that
I love my job, my customers love me and my employees are living the dream. Every day we do our part to keep the wheels of commerce turning by designing, building or improving facilities that our owners use to employ others and generate revenue
you need to go job hunting
I love my job, my customers love me and my employees are living the dream. Every day we do our part to keep the wheels of commerce turning by designing, building or improving facilities that our owners use to employ others and generate revenue
you need to go job hunting
Posted on 11/30/20 at 9:11 pm to cgrand
Engineer doing cm.
I did disasters, did big projects, another big project that was a disaster and fixed it.
Stress sucked and it wasn’t fun after the last one so I switched to similar pay but less rewarding work - it’s not pretty, very fun, or hard abd complex. It’s actually quite boring.
I’m in for 8 and home by 430 every day, no more weekends, nights, turn arounds. Low stress. I play games with my kids in the afternoons.
My upper management are douches but so are most corporate ones.
Switch was good overall.
I did disasters, did big projects, another big project that was a disaster and fixed it.
Stress sucked and it wasn’t fun after the last one so I switched to similar pay but less rewarding work - it’s not pretty, very fun, or hard abd complex. It’s actually quite boring.
I’m in for 8 and home by 430 every day, no more weekends, nights, turn arounds. Low stress. I play games with my kids in the afternoons.
My upper management are douches but so are most corporate ones.
Switch was good overall.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 9:12 pm to OGD
Get a job as a maintenance planner in a plant.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 10:20 pm to cgrand
Cgrand....could we communicate offsite?
Posted on 11/30/20 at 11:32 pm to OGD
quote:
For those that don't know, this job is like sitting in a giant pressure cooker of stress and anger day in and day out. There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over. It will turn you into the worst version of yourself and slowly affect your personal life (the small one that you are allowed to have). There is a high probability that you will become an alcoholic and just an down right unhappy individual which will ultimately affect your wife, kids, and family. There is no such thing as a work/life balance. The job comes first. Period. You are either on the A Team or you are off the Team. Pick one. I just cannot imagine an entire career of being a part of this God forsaken industry full of greed and lies.
I'm in industrial. this is all true
Posted on 12/1/20 at 12:23 am to Carson123987
quote:
I'm in industrial. this is all true
Big commercial here. Same.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 6:28 am to couv1217
sure
chris@grandconstructionla.com
chris@grandconstructionla.com
Posted on 12/1/20 at 7:18 am to OGD
quote:
but no amount of those things will ever change this industry, what is required to survive in it, and how it will completely break you down until you turn into someone you hate.
quote:
There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over.
quote:
It will turn you into the worst version of yourself and slowly affect your personal life
quote:
I'd say I have about 80% bad days and 20% good days.
I walked in these very shoes for 10 years (non-construction) and upon the advice of my dad, I stuck it out for another 9 years. That was a big mistake. You seem to have a clear assessment of where you are. Glass ceilings come with the territory. When you do switch gears, just remember that nobody will throw flowers at your feet and you'll have periods of frustration and doubt before the clouds lift. And when they do, it's a great feeling. Good luck. I admire your ambition. Jealous that I didn't do the same at 29.
This post was edited on 12/1/20 at 7:46 am
Posted on 12/1/20 at 7:41 am to OGD
Are you currently in commercial or industrial? I am in industrial and I hate it. I am in the same boat as you.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 7:59 am to tigerpawl
I’ll add - my kids are small and I cherish my time with them now.
I have resigned myself to being an individual contributor and work my job as such. No more long hours, leave on time, try not to stress.
I will not get a big promotion or raise unless I move and become a mid management spreadsheet jockey who travels non stop.
It’s a paycheck and allows me to do what I want at the moment.
I am looking to the future, and I think everyone should. After 2 years you should have it all sorted out and will know you can either promote up or jump ship.
I have resigned myself to being an individual contributor and work my job as such. No more long hours, leave on time, try not to stress.
I will not get a big promotion or raise unless I move and become a mid management spreadsheet jockey who travels non stop.
It’s a paycheck and allows me to do what I want at the moment.
I am looking to the future, and I think everyone should. After 2 years you should have it all sorted out and will know you can either promote up or jump ship.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 8:27 am to OGD
quote:
For those that don't know, this job is like sitting in a giant pressure cooker of stress and anger day in and day out. There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over.
You just described almost every job with a decent salary attached to it.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 9:24 am to OGD
I went through that. You just have to do the best you can. If that's not enough, frick it they'll get rid of you. It is cliche, but you can only do what you can do. The best thing you can do is more preparation on the front end.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 9:27 am to FinleyStreet
quote:
You just described almost every job with a decent salary attached to it.
Everyone wants the big bucks but don't realize the strings attached. I envy the people that clock out at 5 and don't have a care in the world. With more money come more responsibility. There a Spiderman quote in there somewhere.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 9:28 am to FinleyStreet
quote:Unless you own the business.
You just described almost every job with a decent salary attached to it.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 9:48 am to Carson123987
quote:
I'm in industrial. this is all true
Imagine being in residential.
quote:
always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over.
Imagine this time 1000x because homeowners have unrealistic expectations and know diddly squat about homes.
ETA: I'm in a similar situation as you, but a couple years younger. I'm looking to switch over to tech.
This post was edited on 12/1/20 at 9:53 am
Posted on 12/1/20 at 10:22 am to Lazy But Talented
quote:
Imagine being in residential.
I wouldn't give two shits about a homeowner. Try explaining to a plant manager why his FCCU isn't up and running and he's losing millions of dollars a day... 
Posted on 12/1/20 at 10:37 am to OGD
quote:
For those that don't know, this job is like sitting in a giant pressure cooker of stress and anger day in and day out. There is always someone to fight with, always someone to argue with, always a problem, always someone unhappy, and always someone blaming you for things that you don't and will never have control over. It will turn you into the worst version of yourself and slowly affect your personal life (the small one that you are allowed to have). There is a high probability that you will become an alcoholic and just an down right unhappy individual which will ultimately affect your wife, kids, and family. There is no such thing as a work/life balance. The job comes first. Period. You are either on the A Team or you are off the Team. Pick one. I just cannot imagine an entire career of being a part of this God forsaken industry full of greed and lies.
I am on the owner side of this relationship and what you described is so perfect. Most of the people I work with on the construction side love it, tho. Managing any type of large project successfully is a great resume add, I don't think you would have a hard time finding a less stressful job.
Posted on 12/1/20 at 11:24 am to OGD
At 29, you're but a mere babe. G-d willing, you'll live many more decades and learn lots along the way. Either you need a new job, as your current situation is clearly making you miserable, and you might even need a different career path.
BUT, I'm also going to suggest that you consider some mental health counseling. You mention the job not "fitting" who you want to be, you mention work/life balance, alcoholism, etc. Any job can be terrible if our coping skills aren't helping us get through the day. Become a "student of the self" and dig deeper to determine if the job is the problem, or how you're coping/not coping with the job is the problem.
Just an old person's $.02. But I look back on difficult career points in my own life and can reflect with distance that I was at least part of the problem along the way.
You still may need a job change, but finding a mental health pro who works with career stress is an investment in yourself.
BUT, I'm also going to suggest that you consider some mental health counseling. You mention the job not "fitting" who you want to be, you mention work/life balance, alcoholism, etc. Any job can be terrible if our coping skills aren't helping us get through the day. Become a "student of the self" and dig deeper to determine if the job is the problem, or how you're coping/not coping with the job is the problem.
Just an old person's $.02. But I look back on difficult career points in my own life and can reflect with distance that I was at least part of the problem along the way.
You still may need a job change, but finding a mental health pro who works with career stress is an investment in yourself.
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