As a recent high school graduate, what are your career plans? Although you may plan to go to college, you might want to begin earning an income first.
Or, you could continue your education while you work in the construction industry. The low barrier to entry and lower cost of education make a career in construction attractive.
The following guidelines can help you begin your career in the construction industry.
Choose Your Construction Field
Decide which part of the construction industry best fits your interests and career goals.
- Homebuilding and renovation: Specialize in carpentry, framing, plumbing, HVAC, or another field to build or renovate homes.
- Commercial: Build or renovate apartments, condos, libraries, museums, schools, or other public structures.
- Industrial: Use cranes, scaffolding, cement mixing trucks, and more to work on nuclear plants, oil refineries, or other structures that require heavy duty work.
- Engineering: Create bridges, roads, mass transit lines and rails, or other infrastructure.
Secure an Apprenticeship
Working as an apprentice lets you earn money while you develop your construction knowledge and skill set.
- Spend approximately 2 years working under a trade master.
- Gain hands-on training from an expert in your field.
- Graduate to the level of journeyman.
- Find a trade master to observe and approve your work on projects.
Earn Trade School Certification
Earning certification in a construction field can increase your career options.
- Spend an average of 18 months to 4 years obtaining your certification.
- Specialize in the field that interests you.
- Gain technical experience for the career you desire.
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
You may need to earn a 4-year college degree to land the construction job you want.
- Occupations such as project manager and civil engineer typically require a bachelor’s degree.
- Gain the skills, logistics, and hands-on experience to help you succeed in your chosen field.
- Many employers will pay you to earn a master’s degree or doctorate degree.
- Talk with an admissions counselor to learn the steps needed to develop the career you want.
Work with a Staffing Agency
Contact a construction staffing agency for help landing your first job.
- Gain access to unadvertised roles.
- Receive insider information about employers and positions.
- Get coaching to improve your resume and interview skills.
- Have a recruiter negotiate potential job offers on your behalf.
Land a Construction Job
Find your first job with help from CCS Construction Staffing. Visit our job board today.