Researching Construction – Jobs, Companies and Careers
Perhaps you have always fancied a career in construction but have never been sure which role you are most suited to. Similarly, you may be unsure where to begin searching for a construction job, and which companies to apply to.
In this situation, working out your skills and abilities – and researching the construction careers out there – will help you to match the two up and discover new career opportunities.
Are you right for a construction job? Skills, strengths and weaknesses
Compile a list of your skills and abilities, along with all your strengths and weaknesses and what you like and dislike doing. Remember that you are the only person who will see this list, so be completely honest when you do so.
Think about any previous construction work experience you have had, and how anything you learned at school or college might be relevant. If you have been involved in building work at any point, write down anything you particularly enjoyed or disliked, as this will help you pinpoint what type of construction job is right for you.
What about the various construction careers?
The Internet is a great place to begin researching companies and possible construction careers. Many sites are dedicated to the construction industry and provide a wealth of information about available construction jobs, plus any apprenticeship opportunities that might exist as well, as accredited training courses at colleges.
This will help you to identify what a particular construction job involves, and what experience/training may be required.
Visit the websites of any construction-related companies you can find. There you will find information about the company, the vacancies they have and what it is like to work for them. This will allow you to find out about particular companies in more detail, which is advantageous if you apply for a job with them.
Speak to people who already work in construction work. This way you can find out exactly what the job entails on a day-to-day basis and ask if they know of any opportunities to train or gain construction experience.
If you are a graduate, make an appointment with a career advisor, who can discuss your skills and abilities and identify construction job opportunities available to you. Visiting Job Fairs allows you to speak to employers directly and sell yourself to them.
Done the research? What now?
After carrying out research into construction jobs and careers, you can match the various openings to your skills and experience. Taking the time to think seriously about what you have to offer, which type of construction job is right for you, and the opportunities open to you can greatly enhance your chances of embarking upon a successful and rewarding career.
Grant Hill
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/researching-construction-jobs-companies-and-careers-725175.html
What are some careers/occupations/jobs with adventure?
Background:
I’m 22 year old and recently graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and landed a great first job which paid well with my own office. I was happy at first but then begin to realize that I didn’t like what I was doing. If it were a matter of finding a different job, I wouldn’t have a problem doing so, however, I begin to realize that sitting in an office (or cubicle) working mostly by myself all day (or most of the day) was boring, tedious, and left me mentally (and thus physically) drained. Moreover, I realized that the 9-5 grind was boring and that even though I make money to enjoy the weekends, live comfortably, and buy nice things, that didn’t make up for it.
Unfortunately almost all careers in electrical engineering and most engineering fields involve sitting or standing indoors(usually at a computer) all day. In that way I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of money and time training for something I that I don’t want a job in. It’s not that I dislike electrical engineering (I graduated with a high GPA having conducted research in the area) but I feel like I’m missing a sense of adventure and activity in my life.
Thus, I’ve made the decision to quit my job and pursue something that interests me but I don’t know what I should do so I’m looking for advice perhaps from more experienced people. I’ve made a list of things I like in a job and a list of things I’m willing to give up:
Things I like:
1. Being outdoors preferably in the wilderness (i.e. the ocean counts as wilderness whereas a construction site does not). I’m fine with being indoors for some time. I don’t want to exclude jobs which may require some desk work.
2. Having a job that allows me to be physically active and stay in shape (but not in a monotonous and repetitive way e.g. not a lumber jack).
3. Work with other people, perhaps in a team and at least have people to keep me company. I like working together with other people to accomplish something. I have a high tolerance for being alone (ironically) but it doesn’t make me happy.
4. Being able to travel would be nice but it is not necessary. I’d preferably like to travel to different wilderness destinations (not necessarily to different cities/countries though that would be nice too). I enjoy being able to do something different every so often. That’s probably the reason I was able to stick out engineering–I was able to take new classes every semester and do something different).
I know I feel like I’m asking for the impossible job and I know that in order to find it I would need to give up something. For instance traveling a lot isn’t conductive to having children. Thus, I would be willing to give up:
1. Salary, assuming I’m able to make ends meet wherever I am. All I need is somewhere to sleep, food, and other essentials. I don’t have the need to buy luxurious things. I’d far rather be happy with what I’m doing so long as it doesn’t affect my health.
2. Having children/starting a family. I don’t plan on having children (for a number of reasons which I wont list) so I don’t need the stability or salary that an engineering job would bring.
3. Some/most civilized comforts. So long as I have human company and essentials, I don’t mind doing without.
4. I realize that not everything will be an adventure. I’m NOT the kind of person that needs to be entertained all the time or I become bored (how would I have ever made it through engineering). I’m perfectly content taking my time doing something or having some down time. The thought of living a long, comfortable, boring life sounds completely unappealing. I’d far rather die young doing something I like than living to an old age of boredom and monotony.
Again, I know it feels like I’m asking for the impossible so anything that comes close to matching all of my "likes" would be great. My engineering job now fulfills none of them so anything is a step up.
I’m looking for advice on what kinds of jobs are available that would meet most of, if not all of, my interests. Also, since I have an engineering degree, I probably have no experience in jobs that meet my interests so how would I break into the job? Also, what resources are there that might help me find what I’m looking for and break into it?
The thought of going on say a wildlife expedition or some other kind of expedition is very appealing but I would have no idea how to start that. In addition, being a tour guide, rafting guide, surf instructor, etc sounds appeals but again I have no idea how to start in it. I’d love to do an internship in some area and find what I like, but again I don’t know where to look or what to look for.
For me this is such a major decision that ANY help would be appreciated.
Sorry for the long read. PHEW!
Need a new career/occupation/job
3 Mar 10 at 6:37 pm
why dont you start some sort of construcion business
References :
Chief Wahoo!
3 Mar 10 at 11:39 pm
accounting… cluttered in a dark corner with other people… numbers the only thing you see all day… it is very thrilling
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Team Rocket
3 Mar 10 at 11:41 pm
I have it pegged! You need to be Border Patrol on the Canada/US border.
Fresh air, a horse, and a gun! I ask you;
What could be better?
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Tasty_Sammichez
3 Mar 10 at 11:43 pm
Cop
fireman/firewoman
Join the Navy!
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Read My Mind!
3 Mar 10 at 11:45 pm
Being a wildlife or field biologist sounds right for you by your descriptions above. Or being a park ranger, game warden, naturalist, etc. might also work for you. All of these require a degree however, so going back to school to earn a 2nd degree is definitely in your future if you want to persue a career in this field. You might look into schools such as this that will give you some training in a short amount of time that may at least give you some hands on experience and get you connected to other people in this field for future help in finding a job:
http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_students/teaching_zoo/
References :
me: wildlife biologist
birdgirl
3 Mar 10 at 11:47 pm
I THINK YOU´RE GETTING A TROUBLE,ECAUSE IT´S VERY HARD TO GET YOU SOME ADVICE.BUT IN MY OPINION THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO FOLLOW IN….OPEN AN OFFICE BE YOUR MANAGER TO SELL SOMETHING MADE FROM YOU OR OTHER GUYS.TAKE A LOT O PEOPLE LIKE SELESMAN,GIVE THEM SOME TASKS AND GO TO STREET TO OFFER YOUR PRODUCT..BY BY ADEILSON RECIFE-BRAZIL
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OR LOOK FOR OFFSHORE´S WORK ADEILSON
Adeilson
3 Mar 10 at 11:49 pm
I think you might enjoy being a National Park Ranger or a National Forest Service Ranger. You’re still young, and you could break in doing trail maintenance and such and work your way up. You do have to work for the government, which may or may not be a drawback to you and you have to apply through the gov’t. But, it sounds like it could work for you. In many situations your housing is provided, simply because of where you’ll be working. Not to mention the fact you’ll get to live in a magnificent place!! Also, you get to work with people in some situations and by yourself in others. You’d definitely be active and in shape. While the salary won’t be great to start, if you enjoy yourself and make a career of it and work your way up, you end up with nice benefits and a decent salary.
Look into it National Park Service here http://www.nps.gov/personnel/rangers.htm
And the US Forest Service here
http://www.fs.fed.us/
The national parks also have contractors that run the concessions at the parks. You could get in with them too. That would be a park by park type of thing though so you’d have to start looking around at your favorites and go from there : ). You’d have housing again in most circumstances and while you may not be outside all the time during your work hrs. You’d still live in a fantastic place and meet some amazing people, etc.
Good luck. I know quite a few people that have "reinvented" themselves over the years, some even a few times….myself included!! It can get a bit hairy for a bit, but it’s totally worth it to follow your dreams and be happy!!
References :
Ginney
3 Mar 10 at 11:51 pm
Your job doesn’t have to be a 9-5 job just because it traditionally works that way. I’ve been in the computer software business for a long time, and I have a pretty fun life.
Have you considered moving to a place where you can work (and make lots of money) and still have fun? I live in a house next to a river. I go whitewater rafting and kayaking at least once a week. I go hiking in the mountains on my lunch hour.
References :
David E
3 Mar 10 at 11:53 pm