4 answers
Nick
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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What are helpful high school classes and courses that would be useful to get in the job field of construction?
I am looking into the construction field for a career I am not 100% settled on anything yet. I am just thinking construction is an option.
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1595
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
TAKE RELEVANT CLASSES – In addition to perfecting the hands-on nature of a craft, most construction trades require apprentices to have strong theoretical knowledge as well. This means that sharp math and reading skills will be a huge asset to candidates applying for and entering into a construction apprenticeship. Learning to read plans, ask questions, follow directions, problem solve, and communicate well with other people are essential to a successful career in the construction trades. The recommended prerequisites for high school students include construction courses, shop courses, and math and science courses. Knowledge of chemistry, physics, algebra and geometry are all applied to many construction trades almost every day. Blueprint reading and welding are also useful skills to experience in a shop or mechanics class before starting an apprenticeship.
ONLINE TRADE SCHOOLS – You may be surprised to discover the abundance of online carpentry courses. Available to anyone, from high school graduates to those who have worked in the field for years, online carpentry classes offer foundational instruction and practical exercises that teach you not only how to become a carpenter, but also how to succeed in the trade. If you’re interested in a career as a carpenter, but don't want to make a full commitment to carpentry school online or in person, you can try a few online carpentry courses to help decide if it's the right path for you. Some of the most popular online trade schools offering programs in carpentry include:
• Ashworth College: www.ashworthcollege.edu
• Penn Foster College: www.pennfoster.edu
• ed2go: www.ed2go.com
ONLINE TRADE SCHOOLS – You may be surprised to discover the abundance of online carpentry courses. Available to anyone, from high school graduates to those who have worked in the field for years, online carpentry classes offer foundational instruction and practical exercises that teach you not only how to become a carpenter, but also how to succeed in the trade. If you’re interested in a career as a carpenter, but don't want to make a full commitment to carpentry school online or in person, you can try a few online carpentry courses to help decide if it's the right path for you. Some of the most popular online trade schools offering programs in carpentry include:
• Ashworth College: www.ashworthcollege.edu
• Penn Foster College: www.pennfoster.edu
• ed2go: www.ed2go.com
charnelle saint-laurent
Observer analyst
25
Answers
Huntington Station, New York
Updated
charnelle’s Answer
I think a real helpful job is Tech, it helps with measuring and hand eye coordination. Math courses and art courses would be good. There are school this specialize in design and the arts so hope you found this helpful.
Kevin Ealain
Actor/Carpenter
5
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
I've said it before... you have the obvious answers of math classes, shop classes, welding classes. Anything that will get you experience handling power tools safely, how to read a tape measure, and figure out calculations without always pulling out your phone for the calculator.
But also, take art classes. Learn how to visualize things that don't exist yet. Learn how to sculpt and shape things. Take English and communications classes. Communication is the number one thing that can make or break a job site and how it functions. You need to be an effective communicator to step up to leadership roles, like foreman and supe. And take a theatre class or get involved in drama club. You can help build sets to start getting that experience with tools but also it'll make you a more well rounded human. Clients today want to work with intelligent, kind, professional people. Not the roughnecks of yesterday.
And know when you graduate, you should look into a trade apprenticeship. You'll get *paid* while you learn your craft, instead of going into debt going to a school.
But also, take art classes. Learn how to visualize things that don't exist yet. Learn how to sculpt and shape things. Take English and communications classes. Communication is the number one thing that can make or break a job site and how it functions. You need to be an effective communicator to step up to leadership roles, like foreman and supe. And take a theatre class or get involved in drama club. You can help build sets to start getting that experience with tools but also it'll make you a more well rounded human. Clients today want to work with intelligent, kind, professional people. Not the roughnecks of yesterday.
And know when you graduate, you should look into a trade apprenticeship. You'll get *paid* while you learn your craft, instead of going into debt going to a school.
Robert Kohn
remodeling general contractor
43
Answers
Methuen, Massachusetts
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Nick,
Construction pays well but it is very physical as I'm guessing you know.
I have always loved working with my hands and accomplishing things. I'm a very visual learner rather than a book smart type of guy. I love working with wood and have always built things since the 6th grade when I was in a shop class and built a well pump lamp. (which I still have on my desk and it still works). I have my own company now for 20+ years because I didn't like to have bosses and put up with egos or stupidity. I prefer to do residential work where I can take pride in my work rather than doing commercial work where it's get it done but don't really need to give 100%. (at least from my experience).
If you are not in a trade school, I would suggest you go and watch activity at a job site (if it's a bigger company you would like to work for) or see if you can get an apprenticeship with a residential company. Maybe you want to try and get a job as a laborer and watch other journeymen work and ask questions when appropriate to do so. You can watch You Tube videos (from professional companies not DIY'ers) on just about any area in carpentry from siding, windows, roofing, framing, cabinet installation and/or fabrication all the way to even just estimating jobs which require training on software.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Bob K.
Construction pays well but it is very physical as I'm guessing you know.
I have always loved working with my hands and accomplishing things. I'm a very visual learner rather than a book smart type of guy. I love working with wood and have always built things since the 6th grade when I was in a shop class and built a well pump lamp. (which I still have on my desk and it still works). I have my own company now for 20+ years because I didn't like to have bosses and put up with egos or stupidity. I prefer to do residential work where I can take pride in my work rather than doing commercial work where it's get it done but don't really need to give 100%. (at least from my experience).
If you are not in a trade school, I would suggest you go and watch activity at a job site (if it's a bigger company you would like to work for) or see if you can get an apprenticeship with a residential company. Maybe you want to try and get a job as a laborer and watch other journeymen work and ask questions when appropriate to do so. You can watch You Tube videos (from professional companies not DIY'ers) on just about any area in carpentry from siding, windows, roofing, framing, cabinet installation and/or fabrication all the way to even just estimating jobs which require training on software.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Bob K.