contemplating joining the industry..

[woodall83]

What is it like working in this industry? I have the opportunity to join a home builder, possibly as a construction manager trainee type position. I currently work in the computer field, and hate it. Just trying to get an example of what it is like, like a typical day. Long hours? Stress? Fun? Satisfaction? Thanks for any responses!

[Rich]

If you have no previous experience I would request entering the industry as a laborer and moving up through the ranks. You'll find very little respect from the trades for someone who has on field experience. Not to mention the field experience will give you 100 times more knowledge than you have right now of construction - which IMO is paramount to being an effective manager.
On the management side you will typically work 10-12 hours a day.. and field side 8-10 hours. Of course the field side is much more strenuous :) I've worked as long as 20+ hours straight to complete jobs and other days only an hour. It really depends on what your role is and where in the project you are at.
It's like any other job.. it can be stressful, it can be fun, and it's very satisfying. Personally the office side is a little dull for me - push paper all day versus taking pride in building something.

[grumpydasmurf]

I agree with Rich, but there are few CM or PM that I have met with any hands on knowledge. Unfortunately the skilled manager is going the way of the dino.

Rich, our installers work well over 10 hour days :) We have the winter months to relax!

[Rich]

We did too when I had my company. But more and more you see companies that either don't pay overtime or look at overtime as a bad thing.

[woodall83]

I think I would be training for quite a while before I was put on my own. And I've been around the industry for quite some time, just not working professioanlly. Are you guys managers? Would you recommend getting into the industry, or staying out? Do you like it? Thanks for the answers guys!

[Rich]

When asked what my dream job was.. if I could do anything in the world. I said "Build stuff". It's probably one of the more personally rewarding jobs out there. What industry can you bring your kids/grandkids to a project 20 years later and say "I built that".
And construction as a whole is getting older and older.. we need to educate and increase the numbers of young adults. The construction industry has this stigma that we're all a bunch of knuckleheads that are out to rape and pillage our clients.
Well this site and many of the others I frequent blow that stigma out of the water. I hope you make the decision that is right for you :)

[woodall83]

Any more thoughts on this??

[mjpliv]

Monday's answers are usually different than Friday's depending on how the week went. :D

[woodall83]

any inputs on salaries for entry level construction managers or supervisors? What do you guys think is a reasonable salary?

[Rich]

You're probably looking at around 30-40k for something like a job engineer/superintendent in the home building industry. This varies quite a bit from state to state also.

[woodall83]

heck, sounds good to me...
I have called the guy about a job, he said he was looking for help, but has not returned my call. I'm wondering what my next move should be...