As you might already know from reading some of our recent posts, we at I Build America – Ohio are celebrating Careers in Construction Month throughout the month of October. Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about the opportunity available in the construction industry. But today, we want to invite you to dive into what it means to take that first step. It’s elusive to some, intimidating to others. Many wonder what the journey from “I’m interested in working in construction” to “I have a successful construction career” looks like.
You yourself might be wondering how exactly you might get from point A to point B. The thing is, there isn’t a simple, straightforward answer to this. In fact, if you were to ask any two construction industry professionals about their construction career path, you’re sure to get vastly different answers. Construction education doesn’t follow the typical four-year college or university schedule. It’s created to suit each person’s unique situation, which includes:
- High school students who are bored with the standard curriculum and prefer creating with their hands.
- High school graduates who are ready to start earning a salary sooner.
- Single parents seeking more financial stability for themselves and their families.
- Working professionals who are looking for a change.
Keep in mind, we aren’t saying that every single parent or every high school student will take the same steps to his or her career in construction. And that’s the exciting part. Your career in construction is uniquely yours.
Of course, we understand that, with so many routes to construction, it can be challenging to decide how and where to begin. Now, this shouldn’t deter you from taking the first step. We believe it should inspire you to forge your own path.
The best first step to take is to determine what your end-goal might be. Click here to see a list of potential careers in construction on our website. There, you can try to narrow down where you see yourself in five, ten, or even fifteen years. This doesn’t have to be your “end all, be all” career choice. This decision will simply guide your next steps, which varies depending on your age and experience level.
If you’re a high school student, for example, you have the opportunity to learn your trade while working toward your high school diploma at a career technical center or joint vocational center. There, you can work toward your next step with college credit that can be used toward your degree or relevant experience for an apprenticeship to immediately earn as you learn as soon as you graduate.
If you’re a high school graduate, you have two clear paths to take. On the one hand, you can enroll in a post-secondary college, technical institute, or certificate program. Or, you can earn as you learn through an apprenticeship. Luckily, Ohioans in every region can find a local opportunity nearby, both in and out of the classroom. To find the best school or apprenticeship near you, visit our Education tab on our website here.
Build Your Future (BYF) reports that 1 million craft professionals will be needed by 2023. Every single state in the United States has a demand for construction for the near future, the majority of which have high demand for craft labor. And Ohio is no different. So go ahead, take that first step. We promise, you won’t look back.
