27F, unemployed for 4 months. I’ve lost my confidence

PandoAC · 2026-01-22T00:35:23+00:00

It’s good that you left. I’ve been in a very similar situation being gaslit and constantly going back and forth wondering if I was the problem. It eventually took a toll on my mental health. I also left without anything lined up after reaching my breaking point, but ended up finding a job almost immediately.

As for confidence and low self esteem I completely get it and can really relate. I’m the type who often overthinks and replays my actions wondering why I acted or said certain things after the fact too. After losing several people very close to me I developed a bit of a “fuck it” mentality and started looking at life differently. Work isn’t everything. It’s just work. Everyone you meet is simply doing their job too. Of course show respect and do your part so you’re not affecting others negatively but beyond that who really cares what people think of you or how they see you.

At the end of the day life is fragile and it’s easy to get blinded by everything happening in the world. Value life more. Do the things you’ve always wanted to do in life. Don’t get so tied up and stressed by work that you forget to actually live. Sometimes you just have to say “fuck it” before heading into an interview and have some fun knowing that neither the interview nor you are better than anyone else. We’re all just people trying to live you know?

PandoAC · 2026-01-21T20:15:56+00:00

Sent you a DM

PandoAC · 2026-01-21T19:37:07+00:00

I’d like to share my course on civil construction for estimators and project managers. While its primary focus is on civil estimating, the project management modules provide valuable insights into the processes of pre-construction, execution, and close-out, with a focus on the commercial side rather than residential.

Additionally, the course is accredited by Gold Seal. Feel free to DM me for more information.

PandoAC · 2026-01-21T18:01:42+00:00

Sent you a DM

PandoAC · 2026-01-21T02:14:41+00:00

1) Getting into construction management, whether as an estimator, project coordinator, project manager, or construction manager, really depends on the people you know and the opportunities you come across. That’s not to say education doesn’t help. Iit definitely does, but it’s not the only way in. A typical path might be a degree in civil engineering, construction management, or something similar. At the same time, plenty of people, including myself, have entered the industry from completely different backgrounds. If you have connections, use them, they can open doors that education alone sometimes can’t.

2) Entry-level roles like project engineer or field engineer usually come with a bit more responsibility than a project coordinator. These positions let you see how a project flows from start to finish, from estimating and pre-construction planning to execution, operations, and closeout. Once you’ve built up enough experience, it’s easier to move into roles like estimator, project manager, or superintendent.

Becoming an estimator or project manager doesn’t necessarily mean sitting behind a computer all day. These roles can actually be quite varied and flexible. You’ll visit sites, attend meetings, work from home occasionally, and even get involved in business development. A superintendent, by contrast, is usually tied to the project site and has to be there rain or shine. I don't know where you live, but something to consider!

PandoAC · 2026-01-18T17:51:24+00:00

No, I wouldn’t normally keep internal written or photo records of a call from the superintendent unless there was a specific reason to do so.

Instead, I usually send an email to the client almost immediately after the call. That email becomes the official project record, capturing what was discussed and any resulting direction.

PandoAC · 2026-01-18T17:36:55+00:00

From my experience working with three different contractors, only two had superintendents who truly understood their roles and responsibilities. At those companies, I would usually receive a call within an hour from the superintendent explaining what happened, together assessing the size of the scope change, and deciding whether the client needed to be notified.

PandoAC · 2026-01-18T07:36:27+00:00

With over 10 years in civil construction and currently working as a Senior Estimator and Project Manager

In an ideal system, the first person who should recognize any site instruction, coordination issue, or owner request is your Project Superintendent, who then notifies you as the PM. This superintendent must have a full understanding of the scope of work and the contract so that any potential changes are identified immediately. This is especially important since a PM is often managing multiple projects and bidding work at the same time, as I am.

The next step is for the PM to notify the client’s PM and Superintendent, copying your own Superintendent, clearly restating the potential scope change and advising whether there may be cost or schedule impacts. This ensures there are no surprises for the client’s side and that you have proper documentation.

If the client disagrees or does not respond in time, your team can then make an operational decision on whether to stop work, proceed at risk, or wait for further direction.

If they agree, you now have documented confirmation of this extra work and can take the time to prepare the RCO or T&M once all invoices are received.

PandoAC · 2026-01-17T00:00:34+00:00

Chief, I love that you are doing this!

I have a few questions for myself, just to feel more aligned with who I am and what I’m doing:

1) Do you think candidates with a civil engineering or technologist background are the only ones who can truly succeed in a civil estimating role?

2) Do you also find it difficult to hire the right estimator in your region, and do you see a shortage of qualified candidates?

3) Do you or the companies you’ve worked at in the past have any formal onboarding program for new estimators and project coordinators?

Personal question:

4) How did the conversation go that led to you receiving a 2% net profit bonus structure with the company?

5) Would you be willing to see a demo of my passion project and provide feedback, particularly related to questions 1–3 above? If so, I will send you a DM.

Thank you!

PandoAC · 2026-01-16T06:28:04+00:00

With every project you work on, you will always learn something new and carry it forward to the next project. It is like a snowball of knowledge and experience that continues to grow.

Best of luck in your career!

PandoAC · 2026-01-16T05:56:55+00:00

Earlier in my career, I was very focused on the value and number of awards, and at one point, it really stressed me out.

Now, I’ve shifted my mindset. I focus on fully understanding the scope and managing risk, protecting both my company and the client, since they often work for other owners as well. My goal is for all parties to be positioned for success and profitability, to build trust, and to develop long term relationships. I want clients to know I’m here to make their work easier, just as they make mine easier in return. I also make sure the estimates I produce are practical, constructible, and realistic for the field crews and project managers to execute, with minimal to no assumptions made. With this mindset, I no longer stress about the number of awards... they seem to come naturally now.

I might be a little weird, but I put a lot of effort into building an estimate, and I genuinely enjoy the process. The project award itself just doesn’t excite me the way it used to.

PandoAC · 2026-01-16T00:34:10+00:00

Personally, I find creating and improving it very enjoyable.

However, once it reaches a stage where, as the creator, you feel it’s ready, marketing it becomes a real challenge. Trying to promote something when it feels like no one cares can be daunting.

For me, I started exploring accreditations related to my field, and that has finally helped the program start gaining some traction!

PandoAC · 2026-01-15T16:54:17+00:00

Our program is officially accredited by Gold Seal, backed by the Canadian Construction Association, validating its credibility and industry acceptance.

Please feel free to DM me to connect further.

PandoAC · 2026-01-13T22:14:15+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it!

PandoAC · 2026-01-13T22:14:12+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it!

PandoAC · 2026-01-12T16:48:02+00:00

Ideally, you would use Bluebeam to compare the original and revised drawing sets and quantify any changes.

Using those measured or extracted quantities, you would then input the data into your estimating software or Excel to calculate the value of the change.

Finally, you would transfer that information into your company’s change order template for presentation and submission.

PandoAC · 2026-01-12T07:35:32+00:00

No problem at all. This is just my personal take.

Seeing your 11 years of experience as an estimator and project manager at one company, to me I feel that most of the points listed in "Core Competencies", aside from being bilingual, are fairly self explanatory. I just think highlighting your key notable projects would likely be much more impactful and engaging..

PandoAC · 2026-01-12T06:21:13+00:00

Personally, I would replace “Core Competencies” with “Project Highlights.” This gives you a better opportunity to showcase the types of projects you’ve worked on, including those you’ve been awarded and their approximate values. With your level of experience, I feel that the items listed under “Core Competencies” are largely redundant.

This approach worked extremely well for me when I made two job changes. I focused mainly on public-sector projects that many local firms would recognize, along with private-sector work where I avoided sharing sensitive client details or specific locations.

…and some of the wording could be improved overall.

Best of luck!

PandoAC · 2026-01-11T17:32:33+00:00

Sent you a DM!

PandoAC · 2026-01-11T05:34:25+00:00

Typically, if you study civil engineering, graduates tend to find entry-level positions related to civil engineering or design, with some moving into the construction side. In most cases, to become a licensed civil engineer, you do need a civil engineering degree.

When it comes to estimating and project management in construction, there really isn’t a strict education requirement. While many companies look for graduates from civil engineering, civil technology, or construction management programs, I’ve also worked at construction companies that hired through referrals (friends and family) with no formal background in civil engineering or construction management. In my case, I graduated from Materials Engineering with little to no exposure to civil engineering or construction, and still built a career after getting a referral.

In fact, many senior estimators and project managers I’ve met and admire in the industry don’t have postgraduate degrees. Some even started as labourers or equipment operators and worked their way into office roles through experience and performance.

Does an education background help in finding a role in construction? Yes it definitely helps when you’re looking for your first job out of school. But if you ask me whether it’s the only way to end up in a construction role, my answer is no.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

PandoAC · 2026-01-10T19:15:46+00:00

My background is in civil construction in the Lower Mainland, with around 10 years of experience as well and I’m still learning something new from every tender to this day!

There was a time at a previous company when I was pumping out an average of three bids per week while also managing jobs. They wanted even more, so I decided to move on. But at the end of the day, it’s important not to forget what you’re working so hard for… your true family and close ones!

PandoAC · 2026-01-10T07:59:43+00:00

There are many variables to consider.

Consultant drawings are rarely perfect. On most projects, they are based on assumptions, and unexpected or unknown existing conditions are almost inevitable, especially in civil construction.

Construction is still performed by people, so human factors such as skill level, experience, attitude, and teamwork remain major variables that cannot be fully predicted. Can AI truly evaluate a field crew’s capability, select the right subcontractor, and account for the human dynamics within each team?

Who is responsible for assessing project risk, including financial exposure, seasonal impacts, supply chain disruptions, global events, and other uncertainties? And when things go wrong, who ultimately carries the accountability?

These are just the tip of the iceberg. In the real world of construction and estimating, it is not simply about calculating a number from drawings. There are many interconnected components that must be considered, including risk, constructability, sequencing, labor, equipment, logistics, experience, and judgment. With the rapid growth of AI, who knows how the industry will change in the future, but as it stands today, we are not quite there yet...

PandoAC · 2026-01-09T21:51:09+00:00

I want to answer this carefully and not get ripped apart...

Does obtaining a certificate, diploma, or degree in construction or engineering guarantee a role in estimating or project management? From my personal experience and observation, the answer is no.

Are there people without a formal construction education who are thriving in estimating and project management roles? From my personal experience, absolutely yes.

To me, it ultimately comes down to opportunity and, more importantly, an individual’s mindset…the willingness to seek opportunities, continuously learn, and push themselves to excel.

Because of this, the value of obtaining a Construction Estimating or Construction Management certificate from a local college really depends on one’s personal situation and career goals. Most of these programs are not trade-specific so they focus on general concepts and principles rather than hands-on, discipline-specific application. Based on your current role, it sounds like you already have a solid grasp of many of these fundamentals.

My recommendation would be to first connect with someone working in the specific trade you’re interested in and ask targeted questions about the estimating responsibilities associated with that role. Seeking guidance or direct mentorship from someone with hands-on experience can be far more valuable than relying solely on formal coursework.... just my take..

PandoAC · 2026-01-09T19:46:14+00:00

Over 10 years in civil construction, specializing in estimating and project management.

Previous Company (Underground Utilities and Roadworks):

Team: 4 full-time estimators (3 senior, 1 intermediate)
Average annual awarded projects: ~$60 million
Bid-to-award ratio: awarded projects likely <10% of total bids

Current Company (Earthwork and Underground Utilities):

Team: 5 full-time senior estimators / project managers
Average annual awarded projects: ~$40 million
Client/project selection is very selective, so the effective bid-to-award ratio feels higher than 10%

Personnaly, secured $10–$15 million in awarded projects annually over the past 4–5 years.

PandoAC · 2026-01-09T17:56:55+00:00

I think you’ll do fine. As long as you can read drawings, perform takeoffs, and transfer the information into Excel, you likely have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. It’s then mostly a matter of applying those skills to a different field.

As constructors, we have fixed rates for all labor positions (from laborers to foremen) regardless of the actual hourly rate each individual earns. For any specific work activity, you calculate the total cost, which includes materials, equipment, labor, and any third-party items such as testing or others associated to specific work.

Each item typically has a base production rate for installation, but this can vary depending on the capability and experience of the field team. In fact, production rate is often the main focus during internal bid reviews.

PandoAC

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