<p>Just saw this from Ken285:</p>
<p>Construction Superintendent </p>
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<p>I work for a construction management firm in a field supervision role. Even though this isn’t engineering, I’m adding this here because many civil engineering majors do enter the construction management field. There are a variety of roles in this field, and each of them are pretty different. The following is just one aspect of construction management.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m a part of a team whose job is to manage construction projects so that they are completed on time, on budget, safely and in accordance with project contract drawings and specifications. It’s easy to summarize, but difficult to achieve. There are so many factors and so many stakeholders involved that there is never a project that is run perfectly. Every construction project is different and is subject to different conditions, so there are steep learning curves.</p>
<p>I spend time both in the field office and in the field. In the office, I write daily reports, which summarize the manpower, work performed and the weather. There are also weekly reports and monthly reports that I have a role in writing. Sometimes I also put together reports detailing work in place. </p>
<p>The more exciting part of the job is the work that takes place in the field. I manage trade contractors, meaning I coordinate work among them and plan ahead. I make sure they are meeting the project schedule, and if not, figure out a mitigation plan. With the contractor, we determine the best means and methods for doing the work. </p>
<p>Safety management is also a signficant responsibility. Part of my job is to make sure everyone is doing their job in a safe manner and following the safety rules (such as OSHA, fire code, my company’s safety code, etc). For risky work, I review the procedure the contractor intends to use. </p>
<p>There are lots of meetings, some formal, some informal. They can be with the client, the contractors, inspectors, internal team members, etc.</p>
<p>My hours are technically 7am-4pm, though I typically like to get in at 6am to prepare for the day (the trades begin their day at 7am). I usually leave around 4:30pm-5pm, unless it’s my turn to cover the overtime work. We also have a rotation schedule for Saturday work. On my current project, we also have a 2nd and 3rd shift going daily (with separate personnel), because some work can only be performed at night due to logistics or proximity to active rail lines and subway station. That’s not the norm though.</p>
<p>It is a pretty stressful job though. There’s a lot of money on the line and everybody is looking after their own companys’ best interest, which creates adversarial relationships. Arguing with the the trade contractor foremen and project managers is common. The reward lies with seeing the completion of the project, knowing you had a significant role in the process. I pass by my old projects sometimes and I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.</p>
<p>The economy has hit the construction industry hard, particularly the companies focused on general building construction. I have been recommended for a promotion 2 years in a row now, and still have not received it due to the economy. When things are good, things are really good. People shoot up the ranks, and there’s more work than we have the personnel for and actually turn down projects if necessary. The industry ebbs and flows with the economy.</p>
<p>The good news is that this job can’t be outsourced. You have to be on the actual construction site to do the work. Construction is also an industry that is not going away. Infrastructure will continue to decay and need to be rehabilitated and new buildings will continue to be built to accomodate the increasing population.</p>
<p>I love my job, though of course it’s not right for everyone.</p>