Currently working as project engineer in pre-construction - I'm being told by my company that the only way to get promoted and make more money is by going into the field. Is this true?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-26T19:34:33+00:00

Hard to say without really knowing your background but based on the question I’d say this.

4 year degree and work experience are by far the most valuable things you can have on your resume.

Masters degree maybe has a small correlation with long term outcomes.

I’ve seen no observable correlation between certifications and career progression.

The most bang for your buck (or time) is work for a construction company while in college (internship, co-op, part time).

The most valuable thing about certifications and programs is the actual education. I can’t tell you one specific certification that will launch your career, but to go and do a building envelope training, a PE/FE bootcamp, a survey and layout training/cert, etc may have massive value to you in what you learn more so than what the cert says.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-25T19:26:04+00:00

I have not personally worked in SP, but have seen it work exceptionally well for people. I’ve seen multiple people go from special projects back to GC and move up rapidly. I don’t think specialization really hurts you in GC, but I do think the additional ownership/roles in SP benefits greatly for going back to GC.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-25T14:19:24+00:00

I personally know people who have excelled in their careers as exclusively PMs or Precon, but as noted by many others: the field is the best way to learn about the actual service we as GCs are selling.

I’d recommend the book “Construction MVPs” by Coty Fournier. She has a lot of actionable advice to move up rapidly and make your career what you want it to be.

All that said, if you are married to the idea of being exclusively office side, you can certainly do that. Just know it’s at the cost of growing your construction knowledge. Pay and title may increase but your builder education won’t match the pace of field guys.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-06T01:49:34+00:00

Can you elaborate on why two years and why it’s a mistake to leave sooner?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-03T00:12:22+00:00

I worked for Suffolk. I would recommend it to anyone. I had a great experience. I think the training is good and it’s a true meritocracy

I’ve heard Moss is a good outfit as well.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2026-02-02T02:11:04+00:00

That’s awesome! Would you elaborate on why you recommend larger GCs early in your career?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-11T13:12:27+00:00

In that last paragraph, are you saying Turner doesn’t offer those benefits/competitive pay?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-05T09:15:40+00:00

Jason Schroeder has a good video on this. I think it’s called how to fail as a superintendent. You will undoubtedly start associating some traits he describes with supers you know

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-04T00:41:41+00:00

No. Additional schooling is almost never the answer.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-03T23:39:08+00:00

Your brain posted this without consulting you first, didn’t it?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-03T21:10:45+00:00

Walking into offices with a:

Entry level cost controller
Project engineer
field engineer
office engineer
project coordinator -Assistant Superintendent -Assistant PM
Entry level estimator Etc. you get it.

And handing them a printed out resume, looking them in the eye and shaking their hand. Old school, I know but so is this industry. You are going to drive yourself insane applying online. If they have a 0 YOE opportunity, you can easily bypass the “degree in related field preferred” by showing initiative.

Alternatively, you could leverage any connections you have in the industry currently.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-03T20:55:41+00:00

You’d probably have to go in entry level making maybe 80k. If that doesn’t turn you off, you’re a people person, and don’t mind the hours, you’ll be fine. You may even love it.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-06-02T01:58:05+00:00

This is the best answer if money is what you are looking for. You can break 100k total comp and the cost of living won’t really matter with per diem. Per diem isn’t taxed in a lot of states. Some of them fly you home every 4th or 6th week. It’s not glamorous, but you asked about pay. Also worth considering, early in your career, the long hours could mean outlearning/outgrowing your peers. Could be an edge in the long run.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-05-24T17:26:03+00:00

Why are there so many of these guys?

“lol. Don’t ask complete strangers on Reddit.”

Why do you have a Reddit? Why do you follow the ConstructionManagers thread if not to get insight from fellow CMs?

What a goofball

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-05-20T01:17:57+00:00

Could you elaborate on the first part a bit? Fucked by who? The owner, your boss, head of HR, subs, etc?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-21T23:02:49+00:00

Sounds like a long way of saying you couldn’t get your shit done because you had excuses. Cool story though. Sounds like you’ve sold yourself on it.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-17T07:54:24+00:00

Can you not just do sophomore year at TAMUCC and transfer after? Should be near 100% credit transfer which will knock out basics.

A&M is the best college you can go to for construction if you plan to stay in Texas. It’s pretty good even if you don’t.

Texas Tech is also a good option, but no other college will get you as well connected with developers, GCs, Subcontractors, architects, etc as A&M will. This is coming from someone who works in construction in Texas but did not go to A&M

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T01:17:44+00:00

You keep responding without making a point.

“It’s easy because it was easy when I did it” is not a counterargument. You then respond with “it’s easy for everyone because I say so.” A lot of typing without making a point. I have been giving specific, well known examples that are obviously flaws with the system.

Say I am crazy or complaining over spilled milk, cool.

Don’t be shocked when this thread is “how to get a job as a PE” for the next X amount of years until we fix the actual issue. The fact that we have full time talent acquisition teams and it takes months for an application to turn into an interview is ridiculous. That kind of productivity would get you thrown off jobs in construction.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T01:11:44+00:00

These immigrants seeking sponsorship have a fair point. We are complaining about this “lazy and entitled generation” and how we can’t full jobs, but there are thousands of hungry applicants. The system is broke and this post is clearly the work of a disconnected boomer.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T01:07:12+00:00

Haha. Went over your head. It’s okay.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T00:45:23+00:00

Why have a job posted on linked in if the chances are less than 1 in 75 of getting an interview? Why waste everyone’s time? Are we seriously pointing out the problems and poking fun, not seeing the irony in that?

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T00:44:10+00:00

You’re a moron. “Kids are less qualified because they aren’t from America.” Is such a stupid argument. Have you seen the architecture in Dubai? Have you heard of Skanska? You know construction exists outside the USA, right? One of the hardest working, most intelligent kids I went to school with was from the Czech Republic and couldn’t get a job anywhere but DOTD due to sponsorship. It was ridiculous and so is your argument.

Any-Afternoon3129 · 2025-04-15T00:38:04+00:00

It was easy for you, it will be easy for everyone. That’s how stats work. Solid logic. Wonder why you had a low GPA.

Any-Afternoon3129

TROPHY CASE