There’s no denying that construction is one of the most popular career choices for graduates. It’s an industry worth $1.2 trillion in the United States and one where workers are always in demand, whether it’s for building new properties or renovating existing ones.
You’re likely reading this today because you want to explore the different options available to you in construction. The following are some examples of career choices that you could work towards if you’re new to the industry or have perhaps started to forge a career in it:
1. Construction Manager
If you’ve got a construction management degree, it makes sense to consider getting a job as a construction manager firstly. As a construction manager, your job is to oversee each building project’s general management and planning.
Part of your work involves delegating tasks to your team and ensuring that all schedules get met. You’d also be in charge of safety at your construction site and liaising with external contractors and site visitors.
2. Building Surveyor
Do you enjoy talking to people about building projects and learning more about residential, commercial, and industrial architecture? If so, you should consider a career as a building surveyor.
As a building surveyor, your job is to advise clients on the design, construction, and maintenance of their buildings. You would spend much of your time surveying buildings and creating reports on your findings, plus offering recommendations for each project.
3. Environmental Engineer
Are you a person that enjoys construction but also has a strong sense of environmental protection? If that’s the case, a career move to an environmental engineer could be the right choice for you.
Environmental engineers conduct site and technical audits and evaluate the environmental impact each building or site poses. They also help design, develop, and test technical solutions that help householders and organizations become more eco-friendly.
4. Building Control Surveyor
If surveying sounds like a role that interests you, but you might not feel you’re the right fit for a building surveyor, you could instead consider a career as a building control surveyor. As a building control surveyor, your primary role is to ensure compliance with building regulations.
Part of your job might also be to survey damaged or unstable buildings and decide whether they can get repaired or if they should get demolished. There is a strong emphasis on health and safety in this role, especially with significant commercial developments.
5. Architectural Technologist
Lastly, if you’d prefer to have a more creative role in the construction industry, a job as an architectural technologist might be for you. The job involves working with architects to design and present scale models of new building projects to clients.
You would use CAD software on a computer to design models and participate in site visits to create realistic models of new construction developments. The work is both varied and technical and is the furthest thing from a typical office job.
6. Become a Building Manager
Although this job role isn’t strictly related to the construction world, your background in construction can help you secure a senior position. Building managers ensure that a building is safe and habitable for all residents, and guarantees that that the building meets all regulatory standards. As a property manager, you’ll take advantage of systems such as Raiven to manage residential or commercial facilities and procure independent contractors to keep up with maintenance and renovations. As a fringe benefit, this job offers an average base salary of $108,033!