Is Construction a Good Career Choice For You
Every day, new buildings are getting constructed and the demand for housing, offices, and other structures is ongoing. As long as people need buildings to live, shop, and work in, there will be a need for people to work in the construction industry.
But demand for a particular industry doesn’t necessarily mean that the field is a good match for you. When you’re considering your potential career path, knowing what to expect from an industry and what skills are commonly required in it can help you see if it’s a good fit for you. If construction sounds like an intriguing possibility, here are a few signs that it’s the right industry for you.
You’re Looking for Stability
Ideally, the career you choose will provide you with plenty of opportunities. You don’t want to train for a career only to struggle to find a job in that field. If you crave stability and a steady paycheck, a construction career might be right for you.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment opportunities in the construction industry as a whole will grow by 4% between now and 2029. There is stability in the industry as there is an ongoing need for buildings. Although the industry as a whole will grow by 4% over the next decade, some occupations will see even greater growth. The demand for electricians, for example, should increase by 8% over the next 10 years[2].
You Take Safety Seriously
You might be wary of a career in construction because you’ve read statistics that suggest that is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. While it’s true that there is a risk of falling, becoming injured, or even death when working in construction, it’s also the case that there are numerous safety codes and requirements.
If you’re the type of person who takes safety seriously and would commit to wearing the appropriate gear while working and to following suggestions and rules, construction is likely a good fit for you. The industry needs workers who understand why regulations and codes are important.
A concern for safety doesn’t just protect you on the job. It also protects the people you work with and ensures that the finished project meets all required codes.
You Want to Learn as You Go
There’s not just ample opportunity for entry-level careers in the construction industry. There’s also room for growth and development. If you’re interested in starting from the bottom and working your way up, construction has plenty of opportunities for you.
You can get your foot in the door of a construction career in a few ways. Some companies will offer informal, on-the-job training, depending on the type of work you are interested in. Others offer formal apprenticeship programs that let you earn as you learn. You can also complete a career certificate, earn the appropriate certification or license, and break into the field that way.
Once you start working in construction, you’ll likely find that there are plenty of ways to continue to learn and build your skills.
You Don’t Want a “Desk Job”
The idea of a 9-to-5, sit down job appeals to lots of people. But it might not appeal to you. If you want to work in a job that has you up and moving about throughout the day, a construction career is likely a good fit for you.
What your day-to-day life will look like in construction depends in large part on the career you choose. As a carpenter, you might work on a building site and your job might take you to multiple locations throughout the week. As an electrician, you’re likely to travel from site to site, installing or repairing electrical systems.
Even as you move up the career ladder and find work as a supervisor or manager, your job will likely you have up and moving, rather than confined to a desk.
You Enjoy Solving Problems
Construction careers tend to require a lot of problem-solving. If your job is to repair HVAC systems or electrical systems each day, you need to know how to troubleshoot common issues. It also helps to be creative and able to think outside of the box.
If you like solving problems, you’re likely to find a career in construction to be fulfilling.
Construction careers also offer a lot of variety, from working on assembling buildings to working on installing and repair mechanical systems. Orange Technical College offers several career certificate programs in architecture and construction. To learn more, get in touch with our admissions team today to request information about our programs.
Sources:
- Construction and Extraction Careers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/home.htm
- Electricians, Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm