Construction folks - some career advice needed

[Book Lover]

I have been looking at going into a field far, far away from publishing; one that can use my project management and general production/manufacturing skills. And as I peruse the want ads, I find a lot of work offered as a project manager in construction, which is looking better and better to me all the time. But, the ads all want someone with actual experience (which makes perfect sense to me). So my question to you all as a 37-year-old female who has no trouble lifting 50-70 lbs and can easily deal with working in a "man's world" is what would be a good intro job in the field, so that I could work up to a project manager position? Or am I just crazy to think it would work?

[skygazer]

1. I got my first construction job at 35

That said, being able to lift 50 to 70 pounds isn't so much the issue as is being able to do it all day, over rough ground, up ladders and on slanted roofs. It really is hard, physical labor. Not to say you couldn't do it - I did and I earned the respect of my co-workers who were good teachers and who never gave me a hassle about being a woman. They also didn't cut me any slack on account of it.

I worked in both road construction and building, the last job was as assistant to the project manager. For that job, experience is needed - they oversee every part of the job and have to know about things like obscure building techniques, how to fix the inevitable mistakes that are made and the problems to be solved. They have to be able to read several different kinds of blueprints, have a knowledge of structural engineering (be able to accurately estimate how much concrete is needed for a pour, for example, or how to find elevation, etc.).

I'm no expert on the field by any means (I'm no longer in it for one thing) but it seems that you'd be looking at a long and hard committment to reach the level that you want to reach and I'm not sure it would be worth it to you. And of course, you might never reach it - construction is a trade based on seniority for the most part - you start off digging ditches and humping lumber and a lot depends on how well you do it and how many people are ahead of you as far as how fast you move up.

One idea though might be to take some civil engineering courses and try to get into that aspect of the job. All construction jobs require engineers to make sure they meet guidelines and specs. Probably pays better, too.

[Book Lover]

2. Thank you so much for your honest reply

Looking at my own career path in publishing, I guess it *did* take all those years of doing the handwork to get where I am today, a project manager in my own field. Maybe I'm just dazzled by all the construction openings I see.

I will take your advice about looking into civil engineering as well. The worst thing that can happen is that I realize I'm too old to go into that field. Again, many thanks!

[Book Lover]

3. kick

for the evening crowd

[lizziegrace]

4. I agree with Skygazer

I'm an accountant and had several construction companies as clients. The seniority thing is the critical piece here. That, and being able to pull your own weight.

[Book Lover]

6. Thanks

Looks like I should have started this a while ago. Then again, as sweetheart suggests below, there may be another way.

[sweetheart]

5. plumbing

between the words, i hear you asking whether the 'trades' might work for you, and plumbing
stands out as a trade you can learn that is not so heavy-lifting, involves smarts, and
pays well. Sure school is involved and all that, but you clearly were expecting no less,
as if construction has no science behind it, no theory behind why the pipes are placed as
so, with what diameter out of what materials.

I think you're right on about a trade, just it won't be the same as your old career, you'll
have to tool at the coalface on a particular specialty, and in some of those, like pulumbing
and electrics, heavy lifting is not as much the deal as smarts (heating engineering as well).

[Book Lover]

7. You put plain ol' printing to mind

Many thanks for your suggestion. Both of my brothers are master plumbers, so though I don't live anywhere near them, I think they'd give some good advice about it and how well it would suit me. Your post also makes me realize that I could investigate working at a printing plant; a bit tricky here in my location, as there are not that many in, oh say a 50-mile radius from where I live, but worth investigating.

Then again, I know of another DUer who works at a printing plant, and he hates it. Decisions, decisions...