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Updated almost 7 years ago, 12/21/2017
What is the best way to get into the building and GC industry?
Hi,
I'm currently working in South LA on my second residential property. I'm looking to work for a local GC as an Project Engineer. Ideally with a contractor who does both commercial and residential projects in LA. My experience comes from mainly my own projects, I've also assisted others on their projects and have studied various online resources. I can read blue prints and have an understanding of how various aspects of a project should be done and look.
What is the best way to work with a contractor if you're starting out in the industry?
The past 10 years I've spent in Marketing and Advertising. Since I've already begun investing in properties and renovating them, I'd like to scale up by working with a contractor.
Best,
Parker
Parker.
I'm in LA as well. I live in West LA.
I think that the best way to do it would be to call all the local GC's in your area.
Reach out to them and tell them that you'd like to come and help them with any aspect of their business for free for a set amount of time.
Then you can learn from the Pros. Eventually you start working for them and they pay you because you're so good. Or you go out and do your own thing.
@Parker Steele as someone who worked as a "project engineer" and then moved to a project manager for a mid sized GC, I can say the best way is to find job offerings in your area. My experience was however, a ton of hours, and can be stressful. It gives you a lot of construction knowledge, the PE is more or less a paper pusher (think review submittals, some buy out of subs, create RFIs, update documents, work on change orders, etc.). If this is what you are looking to do, I'm sure there are opportunities. Im guessing this might not be exactly the job you are looking for though.
Parker,
First, there is no quick course or experience that will get you the experience you are looking for. A commercial GC will be your best bet but know there is an honest 5+ years to get to a point to call yourself experienced. 10+ years if you want to sit for your GC license. Second, it is very stressful with very long hours but if your heart is in it, you will put in the effort.
Good luck!
#3 Contractors Contributor
- Contractor
- Los Angeles, CA
Parker Steele There is a glitch in your plan, finding a commercial gc for you to be a project engineer is challenging, and adding to cater residential sector puts an icing on the top, simply because they don’t need a project engineer. The level of having a business in the commercial side contracting is heaven and earth than that of the level where investors hire their “contractors” (90% Joe +1 with truck and tools). So you need to choose a path. If you are a licensed engineer, go for that position (site engineer) on commercial, if you want to work with your hands, go for residential builders. You cant bite an apple and orange at the same time.
@Manolo D. Great suggestion. Thanks for the clarity. Residential was only a way into investing for my wife and I. It's not necessarily the end goal.
At this point, I'm looking to find an entry-level position that allows me to gain experience in construction management and offers a W2. I'd like to find a small to mid-level company to get started.
I've never been afraid of long hours, hard work and the stresses that come with it. I invite the challenge @Trip Guinan. I've reached what most would consider a successful career in an industry where creatives are a dime-a-dozen. Plus, I've got a solid 30-40 years left in me. My background in the military and as an Eagle Scout taught me to be self-reliant. I'm eager to add value to whatever respectable construction organization I'm able, creating a win-win.
@Manolo D. How does one embark on a Site Engineer career path? Is it unheard of to hire someone while they're taking online courses to satisfy a company's requirement for education? Are online certifications even valuable when a majority of the work is learned on the job?
@Antoine Martel @Brian PulaskiThanks for the suggestions guys! Very valuable. I would love to add in a type of internship or apprenticeship a couple days a week. I've actually been in touch with one commercial GC here in LA. I threw together a resume and sent a few emails. Established a common connection and we met for lunch. It's been a few months. They work on large commercial projects, but this guy also wanted to start up flips on the side.. It seems like a great way to get experience. I've sent half-a dozen emails with updates as I learned Sketch-up, Bluebeam, and finished some renovation projects, but haven't heard back. Let's see how 2018 shapes up! I'll definitely start calling people.
If you want to move to a Boise, let me know. If you do, send me your resume. We are looking for people. We do commercial, industrial, and heavy-civil. It is kind of unusual to find larger GC’s that do commercial and residential. I am building a $60-mil Wastewater Treatment Plant in Boise right now. I started as a Project Engineer doing everything @Brian Pulaski said, and after a short while am running my own projects. Dedication, some long hours and good judgement, the sky is the limit.
Thanks @Tyler Resnick
Congrats on your progress. I hear Idaho is one of the fastest growing states in the country. I'm sure there are lots of opportunities. Right now, I'm focusing my efforts on Los Angeles. I think I'll stick with the commercial route, verses residential.
Look into a construction management degree. I managed to get on with a GC through some family connections, but they prefer people with a CM or engineering background.
My brother has a degree in political science but works for a large GC in the Seattle area. He's a project engineer right now but should be running his own projects in a few years. He's going to have to get a CM degree at some point, while working.
Thanks @Seth Borman
Family connections are great too. One of my brothers is a PE in Columbus, Ohio and my oldest brother is a property manager with The Heinz Corp. My wife and child will be traveling abroad Summer 18, so maybe I'll go back to Ohio and get some experience.
Some formal education is a must. I've checked a number of online CM program. Colorado State Global Campus looks promising. It's tough, because there is so much information readily available online, I loath the idea of taking classes.
Parker Steele I’m a PM - get it right ;)
@Parker Steele, it sounds like you have a diverse background, is your education in Engineering or Marketing?
Your post popped up in my keyword alerts because you mentioned Colorado State University, it's my Alma Mater and I also took some classes through the Global campus. The global campus is great because you can take the classes around your schedule but I agree with what some others have said, tapping your network, putting in the hours and working your way up will get you the best results.
No doubt, if you have military experience you can adapt and work the long hours. I would want to evaluate the total time and financial investment that it would take as you are getting experience and working your way up. It really depends on what your end game goal is. Whatever your goal is, you can get to it through various paths and some are more treacherous than others. Is your ultimate goal to be a project engineer/GC or to be a full time investor?
I would suggest obtaining a construction management degree. If you already have an existing four year degree, it should only take 2 years to complete. Many of the commercial GCs recruit entry level PEs through the universities. Some get started through internships toward the end of their schooling. My husband got his CM through CSU, and its a great program. I am not familiar with the global campus, but might be able to offer some info if you decide to check out Ft Collins. Good luck!
#3 Contractors Contributor
- Contractor
- Los Angeles, CA
Originally posted by @Parker Steele:
@Manolo D. Great suggestion. Thanks for the clarity. Residential was only a way into investing for my wife and I. It's not necessarily the end goal.
At this point, I'm looking to find an entry-level position that allows me to gain experience in construction management and offers a W2. I'd like to find a small to mid-level company to get started.
I've never been afraid of long hours, hard work and the stresses that come with it. I invite the challenge @Trip Guinan. I've reached what most would consider a successful career in an industry where creatives are a dime-a-dozen. Plus, I've got a solid 30-40 years left in me. My background in the military and as an Eagle Scout taught me to be self-reliant. I'm eager to add value to whatever respectable construction organization I'm able, creating a win-win.
@Manolo D. How does one embark on a Site Engineer career path? Is it unheard of to hire someone while they're taking online courses to satisfy a company's requirement for education? Are online certifications even valuable when a majority of the work is learned on the job?
@Antoine Martel @Brian PulaskiThanks for the suggestions guys! Very valuable. I would love to add in a type of internship or apprenticeship a couple days a week. I've actually been in touch with one commercial GC here in LA. I threw together a resume and sent a few emails. Established a common connection and we met for lunch. It's been a few months. They work on large commercial projects, but this guy also wanted to start up flips on the side.. It seems like a great way to get experience. I've sent half-a dozen emails with updates as I learned Sketch-up, Bluebeam, and finished some renovation projects, but haven't heard back. Let's see how 2018 shapes up! I'll definitely start calling people.
Kind of catch 22, I would prefer experience over education. Taking online classes does not matter on my books therefore doesn't have real weight.
@Jennifer Slaughter Great suggestions! I'm at a crossroad with my work and with property investments. I'd like to eventually transition into managing my investments full-time. I'm currently running my own business. In order to continue investing/expanding I need to find a solid w2, I could sell one property and start flipping properties outside of LA, or find some outside investment. Our money is sitting in properties at the moment... and they're appreciating like crazy. I have to get that money to work! The construction industry aligns with my values and goals, so it makes sense.
@Hillary Gries I think I will take a few courses to enable me to become a student of construction, at least a couple courses, and I'll start introducing myself as such.
To @Manolo D. 's point, I'd gladly hit the ground running if someone would take me on. I've managed numerous residential projects of my own. At the end of the day, and this is what I respect most about the industry, it's about what you've done, not necessarily the degree in your office.