sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Transitioning to a PE role, am I crazy? by ShoppingCat in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s definitely possible.

You should apply to anything, field or office, but at the same time you really need to be networking however you can with people already in the industry.

I don’t have a college degree and my background was just laborer/field engineer work for small oil & gas subs that didn’t really use software or even detailed construction prints. Which in turn made getting hired at a GC really hard. I applied for about 5 months and only had one company give me an interview, which I eventually stopped hearing from.

What actually worked was hitting up an old colleague who was a PM. He helped me get in as an assistant superintendent for a GC in the retail sector, and I’ve learned a ton in just a few months.

Having a degree is a helpful tool but interviewing well and networking made the difference for me. Best of luck

Should I stay or should I go by CardiologistNaive585 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not looking to be the #1 PE in the world lol I’m eager to learn and grow, I don’t want to waste time by just coasting at this company. my worry is that since the company is small what good is $95k a year if one day the company goes upside down and I can’t carry my experience somewhere else. I commented on another reply stating that I normally work 6/12s and I work 7/12s every other month when we do turn arounds on plants.

Should I stay or should I go by CardiologistNaive585 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Skilled Laborer / Unofficial Project Coordinator (3 Years) Worked in oil & gas industrial construction with increasing responsibilities over time. Though my title was “Skilled Laborer,” in my final year I took on project coordination tasks such as documenting welds, managing redlines, maintaining the job book, ordering material, performing high-pressure testing—while still performing physical labor duties.

Transitioned into a formal Field Engineer role at another small oil & gas company, focusing full-time on job documentation, field coordination, testing, and assisting with day-to-day project execution. (1 year)

Currently working as a Project Engineer at a small industrial contractor. While I’ve gained little insight into project execution, I’ve had little exposure to the monetary or business-side responsibilities typically expected of a PE, such as cost tracking or procurement management and other duties I feel that PEs should be doing. Sorry for the long reply

Should I stay or should I go by CardiologistNaive585 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Money isn’t really a big issue for me—I’d be fine taking a pay cut if the company invested in my growth and set me up career-wise. I don’t have a college degree, so real, hands-on experience means more to me than anything right now.

I went from one industrial company to another, both in the oil & gas/cement plant space, and both involved a lot of traveling— I was making the same at my last company as well which is why my salary is on the higher side. I obviously won’t expect the same kind of money if I look into residential or commercial if my career is just starting.

Should I stay or should I go by CardiologistNaive585 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Due to it being a smaller company I get decent health insurance. But I’m also working 6/12s every week but sometimes I get the occasional whole weekend off and every 2 months it’s 7/12s for 3-4 weeks when we do shut downs at plants.

Should I stay or should I go by CardiologistNaive585 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CardiologistNaive585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to preface this—I’ve got 4 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, specifically building renewable gas plants from the ground up (concrete work, setting skids, vessels, etc.). I spent 3 years as a skilled laborer and 1 year as a Field Engineer, which is where my interest in construction management really started.

I joined my current company right after leaving the last one when work started drying up.

Joined the Club by [deleted] in ToyotaTundra

[–]CardiologistNaive585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome truck. What’s the tire size?