1 answer
Alan
Student
Marfa, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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Will it be exactly what i researched it would be?
My name is Alan Alfaro, i'm from Marfa Texas and really all i want to do is just have a successful career on facility maintenance. I didn't finish high school and i signed up for Job Corps because they are a step in getting a career of my choosing and helping out with my education. #Construction #Facility Maintenance
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1 answer
Josh Guerra
Architect
5
Answers
Beaverton, Oregon
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Howdy Alan. Great question about facility maintenance. There are a few things you can do to really get into this field. I'm an architect who deals with new construction, but my brother is a maintenance manager in Dallas for a school district. He's also a licensed plumber and makes a good living (without the student loan debt from college). Here are some suggestions on what you can do to become established in the field of facilities management:
1. Get your GED. A high school diploma is important and will go a long way.
2. Read and write a lot. Communication is really important in every aspect of the building industry from the journeyman plumber or carpenter, to the architect or engineer. If you can read, write, and communicate effectively then nobody can stop you.
3. Learn to read building drawings. I work with construction documents every day and its an important tool we use to communicate with builders. There are different types of drawings that go into a construction document set: Architecture, Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical. Start by checking out books on architectural drawings to learn about plans, elevations, and sections. The sooner you learn about construction drawings, the sooner you'll be able to advance in your field.
4. Join a trade association and become licensed. You can be a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or HVAC technician. Skilled trades are really important and buildings are becoming increasingly complicated. With apprentice programs you can learn and get paid while you learn, which is great. Our industry needs competent skilled workers to construct and maintain facilities.
5. Join the Construction Specification Institute (CSI). This is an older organization that has education programs and networking for building professionals. It is not just limited to Architects. There are contractors, suppliers, engineers, facility managers, and owners in the organization. The organization has helped me a lot. I highly recommend membership with them.
Good luck!
1. Get your GED. A high school diploma is important and will go a long way.
2. Read and write a lot. Communication is really important in every aspect of the building industry from the journeyman plumber or carpenter, to the architect or engineer. If you can read, write, and communicate effectively then nobody can stop you.
3. Learn to read building drawings. I work with construction documents every day and its an important tool we use to communicate with builders. There are different types of drawings that go into a construction document set: Architecture, Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical. Start by checking out books on architectural drawings to learn about plans, elevations, and sections. The sooner you learn about construction drawings, the sooner you'll be able to advance in your field.
4. Join a trade association and become licensed. You can be a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or HVAC technician. Skilled trades are really important and buildings are becoming increasingly complicated. With apprentice programs you can learn and get paid while you learn, which is great. Our industry needs competent skilled workers to construct and maintain facilities.
5. Join the Construction Specification Institute (CSI). This is an older organization that has education programs and networking for building professionals. It is not just limited to Architects. There are contractors, suppliers, engineers, facility managers, and owners in the organization. The organization has helped me a lot. I highly recommend membership with them.
Good luck!