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in the construction business do I always start out as laborer ?

if that is the case how can i improve my knowledge on all the specific areas of the construction business while i am a laborer example: carpentry and plumping

management construction carpentry construction-management
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Carmen’s Answer

If you want to start off in a role in construction there are so many avenues to take. You can go to a 4-year college/university and get a degree in construction management. That will allow you to become a project engineer or project manager coming out of college for a construction company. Alternately you can go to a trade school and learn a skill set in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, there are so many trades within construction that will teach in an apprenticeship and have you grow within their companies. This path is not always known by many but you can make significant money working in a trade and it also allows for upward growth as a foreman, manager, superintendent type positions depending on how long you've been doing the work. It all depends on what path makes the most sense for you. I would recommend you meet with someone within both areas for coffee and pick their brain about what they do on a daily basis, how they got to that point and understand how much school or skill training they had to go through. This will help you narrow down what might work best for you. I've found doing informational interviews with people in industries similar to those you're interested is a great route in meeting people and growing your network but also picking their brains. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will do great at either!
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Aaron’s Answer

Becky is correct, many trades can be learned in a trade school prior to entering the work force. There are often labor positions available without school experience as well. Once you secure a postion, regardless of your experience level, a key component to moving up the ladder quickly is asserting yourself on the job. Basically, this means putting yourself in a good postion to learn, be noticed, and show your skillset while continuing to add new skills along the way. By doing this your leaders/managers will begin to notice you and your efforts and you will postition yourself for any advancement opportunites ahead of those who simply do their job and go home. Showing assertiveness is a sign of leadership and those in leadership postions will certainly notice your efforts.
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Robert’s Answer

Sevillen,

Unless you have technical school experience, you will need to start as a laborer. There are some companies that train so you can move up. The starting pay is probably minimum but if you like to work with your hands and are physically motivated then this is a good job for you. You can work in all types of weather as well. The main thing is to always be watching what people are doing and learn. If you can, ask questions if you don't know what they are doing but not while they are doing it because of safety (at least with power tools and not while you are supposed to be doing something, just in your free time). Then you can move up to an apprentice and then a journey person in the area that you like if there is a trade that you are interested in.
I hope this helps and good luck!

Bob K.
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Becky’s Answer

If you go to trade school, you can go into electric, plumbing, surveying, carpentry, etc...none begin as laborer. But most begin in training, then move up to more $ as a journeyman.
If you want to be in management, that's a different question...
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