How to Build a Reliable Career in Construction

If you’ve been thinking about starting a career in construction, you should know that there is a lot of potential in the industry. But if you’re planning to stay in for the next 30 years or more, you’re going to need to make some good decisions from the beginning. Here are a few choices that can help set you up for a better experience.

Look for Gaps in Your Experience/History
When you’re first starting out, you may have the most flexibility in determining your future course. It’s a good idea to look at what you already have and determine how much you need to start building a career in construction. For example, most construction professionals need to have a high school diploma or GED. You may not need to have a significant amount of other experience or training, but it helps. Start researching what you’ll need in order to pursue the kinds of careers that you’re thinking about for the future. It’s better to have a plan in mind before you get too invested in the process.

Research Courses
One of the things that people love about construction is that there are so many things that you can learn, and so many different ways to do it. For example, if you’re looking to join a particular field and you know exactly which one is going to be right for you, you may be able to take educational courses or apply for apprenticeships that will give you extensive knowledge and experience by the end. But you can also take courses one at a time to learn a little bit more about the field and the job, so that you can determine whether or not it will be right for you. Don’t hesitate to get more information about fields that you find exciting or particularly interesting.

Consider Certifications
Although construction as an industry doesn’t always require a lot of training for entry-level jobs, you can still add to your résumé before you get started. Certifications may not take as long as licenses or degrees, and they may help you move toward a particular career. For example, OSHA offers a variety of certifications that can make you a more attractive candidate for certain construction jobs, even if they’re not the only things you need to have in order to get them.

Evaluate Possible Career Paths
When you start thinking about possible career paths, it’s important to choose options that will work for you years down the road. The last thing that you want is to discover that your chosen field is becoming obsolete, and you don’t know how to grow with it. Instead, look for fields with a lot of room for growth within the next 30 years, as well as demand for qualified professionals. You’ll have a better chance of finding a reliable career, as well as plenty of work to keep you busy at a good rate of pay.

Improve Other Skills
Like other industries, construction requires people to build a variety of skills that they can use throughout the workday. If your dream is to open your own contracting business, you’ll need multiple skills, such as:

  • Math and basic finance
  • Business communication
  • Basic use of technology

This is also a good time to evaluate what you need to be able to perform tasks within your chosen field every day. You might need to build your physical strength or stamina so that you can complete projects on time without burning yourself out.

Building a reliable career in construction starts with these goals. When you’re ready, you can count on us to help you prepare for the contractor licensing exam. To get started, visit CSLS today!

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About CSLS

Contractors State License Service (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 23 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. From our main offices in Southern California, CSLS operates over 25 locations with full-service support and classrooms. We have grown to this extent by providing quality, professional services. In comparison, this provides 7 times the number of convenient locations than the second largest contractor school. Contractors State License Services is one of the only contractor schools in the state that is run by educators, not lawyers or people mostly interested in the bonding and insurance business. Contractors State License Services formerly operated under the oversight of the State of California's Bureau for Private Post Secondary and Vocational Education. As of January 1 2010, the new Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) came into existence replacing the BPPVE. CSLS now operates under the provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (CPPEA), Article 4 Section 94874(f). Our Mission is simple; We can help you pass your California Contractors License Exam. Celebrating our 25th year, CSLS has helped over 120,000 students pass the California contractor licensing exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California. Additionally, we offer complete home study and online contractor’s license programs to help you pass your California contractors license exam. CSLS offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including General Engineering Contractor, General Building Contractor, Specialty Contractor, Insulation and Acoustical Contractor, Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor, Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor, Concrete Contractor, Drywall Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Elevator Contractor, Landscaping Contractor, Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. For a complete list of contractor licenses, visit www.MakeMeAContractor.com and tuned for more informative posts.