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re: CM graduate- Field Engineer or Estimator?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:23 pm to theBOSSman!!
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:23 pm to theBOSSman!!
I graduated in CM as well from LSU, live in Dallas now, and work for one of the big GCs here in Dallas as a Sr. PE. I would highly recommend working in the field first as you truly get a feel for what drives the project and how problems get solved, and more importantly, how to prevent problems from happening. Makes a huge difference once you transition into the office. I would only go into estimating if you intend to stay in estimating. Estimating is like a quick-sand trap. The longer you stay, the harder it is to get out of it. Those are the guys that work the longest hours.
0
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:23 pm to BlackCoffeeKid
Cm
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:28 pm to theBOSSman!!
Office Space was on last night
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:31 pm to djangochained
quote:
Well your not an engineer, so I wouldn't use that term
At LSU, CM is in the college of engineering so technically he will have an engineering degree when he graduates.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:31 pm to theBOSSman!!
That depends, are you a people person and can you demand respect and take control of a bunch of roughnecks? You can't be timid in the field. Don't sweat it if you can't, it's not for everyone, and take the project management track. A superintendent has to wear a lot of different hats, but first and foremost, you've got to be very confident and assertive.
The most important thing is taking the track you know best fits your personality. If you don't, you'll cut yourself short on how quickly you can climb the ladder.
The most important thing is taking the track you know best fits your personality. If you don't, you'll cut yourself short on how quickly you can climb the ladder.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 2:45 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field Experience is valuable, especially in estimating. Estimating is BORING AS frick. I estimated for 1 year as a bridge to get another job. I gained 30+ pounds in the first 6 months. I still do some estimating but I sure as hell won't ever do it again as a primary function of my job.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 3:04 pm to Epic Cajun
Definitely go to site as a field engineer.
If you go straight into estimating you'll be a horrible estimator and learn shite about how a project is actually executed.
If you go straight into estimating you'll be a horrible estimator and learn shite about how a project is actually executed.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 3:06 pm to theBOSSman!!
What kind of life do you want? And what are the salary differences? 10k difference from 40-50? Or 70-80?
Those positions lead to totally different lifestyles. And depends on what you want from a career.
Also, if you're working 50plus hours as a field engineer, you won't be salary (probably). 50 plus as an estimator is salary.
Those positions lead to totally different lifestyles. And depends on what you want from a career.
Also, if you're working 50plus hours as a field engineer, you won't be salary (probably). 50 plus as an estimator is salary.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 3:51 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field engineer
Estimating all day made me want to kill myself
Estimating all day made me want to kill myself
Posted on 3/20/17 at 3:52 pm to AUCE05
quote:
Legally, only a PE can claim the title engineer. Similar to a nurse claiming to be a doctor.
What if I drive a train?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 3:59 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field experience >>> estimating experience.
It is easier for someone to take-off a project if they know what they are looking at, IE having seen it in the field. Guys we hire straight out of college and put in estimating pick things up slower then those who worked in the field.
It is easier for someone to take-off a project if they know what they are looking at, IE having seen it in the field. Guys we hire straight out of college and put in estimating pick things up slower then those who worked in the field.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 4:12 pm to theBOSSman!!
<---graduated with a CM degree in '03. Went into project estimating from '07 to '11. Currently a Field Construction guy.
Estimating was a pretty cush position and you do learn from it, but it gets repetitive and all you do is plug away at excel or timberline. Also, in my case, when I wanted to get out to the field and join construction teams, I was behind the learning curve and had to play catch up for a few years before I got a position worth a damn.
I don't regret my career path but if I did it again, I'd jump into the field sooner.
Estimating was a pretty cush position and you do learn from it, but it gets repetitive and all you do is plug away at excel or timberline. Also, in my case, when I wanted to get out to the field and join construction teams, I was behind the learning curve and had to play catch up for a few years before I got a position worth a damn.
I don't regret my career path but if I did it again, I'd jump into the field sooner.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 4:13 pm to rowbear1922
quote:
At LSU, CM is in the college of engineering so technically he will have an engineering degree when he graduates.
It doesn't appear that you know what the word "technically" means. Technically, you get a bachelor of science from the school of engineering in construction management. That is not technically an engineering degree, it's technically a construction management degree.
ETA: And I have nothing against CMs. I work in construction, so they're my people.
This post was edited on 3/20/17 at 4:16 pm
Posted on 3/20/17 at 4:24 pm to theBOSSman!!
anyone who can add and subtract can estimate
its not rocket surgery
there is not a single person who works for me including myself who calls themself an "estimator". get out in the field and learn how things get built
its not rocket surgery
there is not a single person who works for me including myself who calls themself an "estimator". get out in the field and learn how things get built
Posted on 3/20/17 at 4:32 pm to theBOSSman!!
Commercial or Industrial?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 5:22 pm to cgrand
quote:
anyone who can add and subtract can estimate its not rocket surgery
You have to know a lot to be a good estimator imo, especially in heavy civil or large projects
This post was edited on 3/20/17 at 5:23 pm
Posted on 3/20/17 at 5:30 pm to Carson123987
Industrial.
But thanks everyone for all the input. I think I got the answers I was looking for.
But thanks everyone for all the input. I think I got the answers I was looking for.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 5:37 pm to TrebleHook
quote:
You have to know a lot to be a good estimator imo, a
knowledge which is gained in the field
not a spreadsheet
Posted on 3/20/17 at 5:39 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field. I worked on site full time on road reconstruction, drainage and water improvement projects for 4 years right out of school. The time I spent there was invaluable in my career and I now work in a completely different industry. My ability to understand the moving pieces of a schedule, and think of solutions on the fly, as well as my ability to grasp scope/budget/schedule better than most has made the difference in my career.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 5:50 pm to cgrand
quote:
knowledge which is gained in the field
not a spreadsheet
well yeah, but you said anybody who can add and subtract can be an estimator
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