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is it worth it to take the extra steps like getting higher education for construction ?
is it worth taking the extra steps like college and university for a construction job what are the benefits
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John’s Answer
Hi Kevin,
Looks like you asked a couple questions around this topic. I'm going to try to answer them all here.
First let me say I agree with Mark Kamien. College isn't for everyone but I'm a fan too. If you have a chance to go to college, you should! People with degrees on average tend to make twice as much as those that don't. That's not universally true. But I think you can achieve your career goal of owning a construction company AND go to college.
What are the risk and pros to making your own construction company?
From this question I gather your end goal is to own your own construction company. This informs my answers to the other questions.
The risks and pros of owning your own construction company are essentially the same for owning any business. As a business owner, you will likely struggle for the first 5 years of your business. You will have to do all the work like marketing, accounting, foreman, and of course construction. You will make a lot of mistakes. Those mistakes most likely won't be fatal. But they are typically painful.
The rewards of owning your own business, are, eventually you figure things out. As a result, you'll make more money, have more control over your life and generally feel better. Google "why you should own your own business" for more on this.
Is it worth it to take the extra steps like getting higher education for construction?
Short answer, "Yes"! There are 2 or 3 degrees I can think of that would be super helpful in a construction business. Assuming your goal is you want to own your own construction company, you might want a business degree! Since you will own a business, you might want to learn how. A business degree can save you from making a ton of mistakes along the way. There is a degree in engineering that specifically looks at buildings. For example, answering what kind of steel do I need to use in this building or who do I heat, cool electrify an apartment building is something an engineer would do. It's a degree that math heavy. But if you change your mind about owning a construction company later in life, this degree can be super helpful in getting a job. Finally, you can think about a degree in Architecture. Architecture is the art and science of making buildings work for their purpose and making them beautiful. Architecture may be a little outside your construction company objective. But it was close enough that I thought it warranted honorable mention. If you like to draw, this may be something to consider.
For a future construction business owner, I would take a double major in business and engineering. Make sure your engineering school has a program that really works for your construction company future. Your business degree should have a heavily focus on the Entreprenurial aspect of business.
Is it worth it to take the extra steps like getting higher education for construction?
As above, yes, I think so. If your end goal is to own a construction company, then the degrees mentioned above would be helpful.
Why is a bachelor's degree needed for most construction jobs?
Probably the jobs you are seeing are more advanced jobs. You probably aren't seeing "painter" on indeed. Foreman and up hiring managers may want a degree for two reasons. 1.) They may be absolutely required in the case of an engineer role. 2.) They may be highly desirable to show you have the skills and maturity to at least get through a degree. It's not fair, but people that don't have a degree are discriminated against. Ask me how I know!
This question brings up a good question you haven't quite asked. But I suspect you are thinking about:
What's the best way to start a construction company???
The number one way to get the experience you need to be able to start a construction company is to go work for a construction company! ANY JOB in the construction industry will do. I don't care if you're the guy that empties the trash at the end of the day. Get in the business anywhere, along the way you will improve your skills, and get more experience, and get better jobs. Electrician Apprentice, Plumber's helper, Handyman's assistant are great starting jobs. To get a job in the business, call EVERYONE IN THE BUSINESS. Tell each person you are talking to that you'd like to start a construction company someday. In the meantime, you are looking for an entry level job to start learning. Ask them, "Do you have any room in your business for a cheap hard-working worker? Or know someone that does?" If phone calls don't work, just show up in person. Go to every construction site you can find and ask for the foreman. Say the same thing you did on the phone but face to face. You'll be working before you know it!
Save at least 50% of everything you make. You'll need this savings to start your own business later.
Go to college, (Business and Engineering double major)
Work your way up to better and better jobs in the business
After you complete your degree, take side jobs as a side hustle.
Find a mentor
Luck favors those who work the hardest. So best of luck!
If you'd like to discuss let me know!
John Husband, Real Estate Investor and Business Owner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjhusband/
Get any job in the construction business
Go to college for business and engineering
Work your way up in the construction industry
After you finish your degree, take side jobs.
Get a business mentor.
Looks like you asked a couple questions around this topic. I'm going to try to answer them all here.
First let me say I agree with Mark Kamien. College isn't for everyone but I'm a fan too. If you have a chance to go to college, you should! People with degrees on average tend to make twice as much as those that don't. That's not universally true. But I think you can achieve your career goal of owning a construction company AND go to college.
What are the risk and pros to making your own construction company?
From this question I gather your end goal is to own your own construction company. This informs my answers to the other questions.
The risks and pros of owning your own construction company are essentially the same for owning any business. As a business owner, you will likely struggle for the first 5 years of your business. You will have to do all the work like marketing, accounting, foreman, and of course construction. You will make a lot of mistakes. Those mistakes most likely won't be fatal. But they are typically painful.
The rewards of owning your own business, are, eventually you figure things out. As a result, you'll make more money, have more control over your life and generally feel better. Google "why you should own your own business" for more on this.
Is it worth it to take the extra steps like getting higher education for construction?
Short answer, "Yes"! There are 2 or 3 degrees I can think of that would be super helpful in a construction business. Assuming your goal is you want to own your own construction company, you might want a business degree! Since you will own a business, you might want to learn how. A business degree can save you from making a ton of mistakes along the way. There is a degree in engineering that specifically looks at buildings. For example, answering what kind of steel do I need to use in this building or who do I heat, cool electrify an apartment building is something an engineer would do. It's a degree that math heavy. But if you change your mind about owning a construction company later in life, this degree can be super helpful in getting a job. Finally, you can think about a degree in Architecture. Architecture is the art and science of making buildings work for their purpose and making them beautiful. Architecture may be a little outside your construction company objective. But it was close enough that I thought it warranted honorable mention. If you like to draw, this may be something to consider.
For a future construction business owner, I would take a double major in business and engineering. Make sure your engineering school has a program that really works for your construction company future. Your business degree should have a heavily focus on the Entreprenurial aspect of business.
Is it worth it to take the extra steps like getting higher education for construction?
As above, yes, I think so. If your end goal is to own a construction company, then the degrees mentioned above would be helpful.
Why is a bachelor's degree needed for most construction jobs?
Probably the jobs you are seeing are more advanced jobs. You probably aren't seeing "painter" on indeed. Foreman and up hiring managers may want a degree for two reasons. 1.) They may be absolutely required in the case of an engineer role. 2.) They may be highly desirable to show you have the skills and maturity to at least get through a degree. It's not fair, but people that don't have a degree are discriminated against. Ask me how I know!
This question brings up a good question you haven't quite asked. But I suspect you are thinking about:
What's the best way to start a construction company???
The number one way to get the experience you need to be able to start a construction company is to go work for a construction company! ANY JOB in the construction industry will do. I don't care if you're the guy that empties the trash at the end of the day. Get in the business anywhere, along the way you will improve your skills, and get more experience, and get better jobs. Electrician Apprentice, Plumber's helper, Handyman's assistant are great starting jobs. To get a job in the business, call EVERYONE IN THE BUSINESS. Tell each person you are talking to that you'd like to start a construction company someday. In the meantime, you are looking for an entry level job to start learning. Ask them, "Do you have any room in your business for a cheap hard-working worker? Or know someone that does?" If phone calls don't work, just show up in person. Go to every construction site you can find and ask for the foreman. Say the same thing you did on the phone but face to face. You'll be working before you know it!
Save at least 50% of everything you make. You'll need this savings to start your own business later.
Go to college, (Business and Engineering double major)
Work your way up to better and better jobs in the business
After you complete your degree, take side jobs as a side hustle.
Find a mentor
Luck favors those who work the hardest. So best of luck!
If you'd like to discuss let me know!
John Husband, Real Estate Investor and Business Owner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjhusband/
John recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the advice.
kevin
Updated
Kacey’s Answer
The short answer is that it depends on how quickly you want to move up the ladder. You can get a construction job with no education or experience but it will take you a very long time to work your way up to a management or supervisor position. Maybe 5-10yrs depending on the job. If you want to get into a higher paying job sooner you will want some formal training of some type and a few years of experience. I always suggest a degree in construction management as it will get you a better paying job faster. Specializing in any certain type of construction will also add to your value. Good luck!
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Kevin!
It depends on your priorities in life. The more goals you set, the more sacrifices, time, efforts and costs required. It may be by academic education path, vocational / technical education path or apprenticeship (learning at work) path.
Construction Technician/Junior go for A Level / Level 3 / High School Diploma / Ordinary National Diploma / Access to Higher Education Diploma / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification or technician licence. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Associate Technician go for (Level 3 with up to 5 years) Level 4 / Certificate of Higher Education / Associate Degree / Advanced Certificate / Higher National Certificate / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification and, or registration in professional body. Relevant is experience required. Your may grow higher experience and CPDs.
Construction Professional / Senior go for (Level 3 with up to 10 years / Level 4 with up to 5 - 7 years) Level 5 / Diploma of Higher Education / Foundation Degree / Advanced Diploma / Higher National Diploma / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification and registration in professional body. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Supervisor go for (Level 5 with up to 5 - 10 years) Level 6 / Honours Degrees / Graduate Diploma / Professional Graduate Certificate qualification with specialization certifications and professional registration. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Superintendent / Manager / Chief go for (Level 6 with up to 15 years) Level 7 / Masters Degrees qualification with specialization certificate and professional registration. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Expert / Consultant go for (Level 7 with many years) Level 8 / Doctorate Degrees qualification with specialization certificate and professional registration. Relevant is experience required.
It depends on your priorities in life. The more goals you set, the more sacrifices, time, efforts and costs required. It may be by academic education path, vocational / technical education path or apprenticeship (learning at work) path.
Construction Technician/Junior go for A Level / Level 3 / High School Diploma / Ordinary National Diploma / Access to Higher Education Diploma / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification or technician licence. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Associate Technician go for (Level 3 with up to 5 years) Level 4 / Certificate of Higher Education / Associate Degree / Advanced Certificate / Higher National Certificate / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification and, or registration in professional body. Relevant is experience required. Your may grow higher experience and CPDs.
Construction Professional / Senior go for (Level 3 with up to 10 years / Level 4 with up to 5 - 7 years) Level 5 / Diploma of Higher Education / Foundation Degree / Advanced Diploma / Higher National Diploma / Apprenticeship qualification with specialization certification and registration in professional body. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Supervisor go for (Level 5 with up to 5 - 10 years) Level 6 / Honours Degrees / Graduate Diploma / Professional Graduate Certificate qualification with specialization certifications and professional registration. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Superintendent / Manager / Chief go for (Level 6 with up to 15 years) Level 7 / Masters Degrees qualification with specialization certificate and professional registration. Relevant is experience required. You may grow higher with experience and CPDs.
Construction Expert / Consultant go for (Level 7 with many years) Level 8 / Doctorate Degrees qualification with specialization certificate and professional registration. Relevant is experience required.
Updated
Mark’s Answer
I am a fan of higher education but it may not be for everyone. The goal is to have meaningful work. There are trade schools that can train you in fields such as construction or other similar roles. Those roles are important because those people help build our cities and infrastructure so bravo and good luck if you want to do this. But a 4 year college degree not required.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
kevin