There’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing a career path. You might be leaving school soon and considering what to study and where you’d like to end up. Perhaps you’re unhappy at work and feel like you need a change. Whatever reason you have for researching jobs, putting in the work is essential.
The construction field is often overlooked at first glance, but the industry has a lot to offer – for various types of people. If you’re seeking job options, here are some jobs in the construction field that might interest you.
First of all, the most obvious job that most people associate with construction is that of physical construction work. This position is perfect for physically active people who like to be busy and their body and strength to their advantage.
Construction workers will naturally work on construction sites and take on several different tasks – such as erecting scaffolding, breaking down buildings, digging tunnels and holes, laying concrete, moving materials, loading and unloading materials, and more. It’s a very physically demanding job but highly rewarding for the physically active.
Managing a construction project is very different from being physically involved in it. Construction managers coordinate and supervise projects – public, residential, commercial and more.
They’re involved in planning, organisation, budgeting, scheduling, delegating and more. They need to have great leadership and communication skills and be business savvy too. To land a role like this, a construction project management certification is essential, making the role more challenging to break into.
Someone with a degree in civil engineering is qualified to be a construction project manager. However, they have other options available to them, as well. A civil engineer can also plan and design and large construction projects, not only oversee their management.
Civil engineers often specialise in one particular area, such as transport, environmental, geotechnical, maritime, or structural engineering. Depending on your skills and interests, any of these might be an option, but will require specialised study and plenty of experience.
Trade work is essential in the construction industry. In fact, some believe that learning a trade is the best decision anyone could make for their work life. Job titles like plumber, electrician, welder, carpenter, painter, and landscaper could all land you in the construction industry with a good company and plenty of demand for your skill.
Learning a trade often won’t require a university degree which helps lower the barrier to entry in the construction industry. If you’re passionate about your work and skilled with your hands, this could be the perfect fit for you.
Finally, you could consider operating the heavy machinery. This work is not for the faint of heart, and you’ll need to do extensive training to ensure you know what you’re doing.
To become a crane operator, it’s also important that you gain experience through practice hours done in your course. Without experience, you’re unlikely to be hired, but when you have the hours under your belt, the demand for your skill will never run out.
