A few weeks ago, we shared a post in the hopes of inspiring you to start the new year off on the right foot. Now that it’s officially 2020, it’s time to start putting those plans into action. If all our construction crews ever did was dream and plan, we wouldn’t have the incredible infrastructure we do today. But progress is not just the responsibility of the industry to take action upon. And, it’s not up to young people to innovate. Together, we all have to resolve to make progress.
But what are some steps to take to work toward this progress?
If you’re in the industry:
- Don’t rest on your past successes. Continue to innovate. Just because you and your business made a difference in 2019, doesn’t mean it should stop there. Find projects that matter most to you throughout the entire decade, never giving up on your company mission when things get easy.
- Connect with your community members that you serve. Learn what matters most to them. Though they don’t have the experience you do, their opinion matters. After all, you create the communities they live in.
- Reach out to young people. Show them the best parts of your career to inspire them to join you. You and your business will need their work to continue to make progress for years to come. Check out these resources for helpful hints on how you can spread the word about careers in construction.
If you’re just starting to learn about the construction industry:
- Picture your perfect day in the life. Are you working with your hands or with Human Resources? Are you leading a team or using your individual skills to get the job done? Are you working for a particular company or are you working for yourself? Take some time to really think about what’s most important to you. Then, check out our careers page to see which career best fits your ideal work day.
- Reach out to your most trusted support system. Whether a school counselor or an industry insider, it’s important to talk about your dreams with someone who has experience in your area of interest. Not sure where to start? Check out our resources page.
- But here’s the thing, you can’t just dream of joining us. You must take actions to get you closer to making that dream a reality. A great place to start is with specialized education or earn-as-you-learn training..
If you want to help someone who’s interested in joining the industry:
- Be a listening ear. Let your son, daughter, family member, or friend talk out her or her dreams and worries alike. Avoid being an overly enthusiastic cheerleader and opt for realistic, authentic support. Give them equal parts tough truth and optimism.
- Attend career fairs with them. Even if you stand back at a distance and let them talk with representatives and recruiters on their own, your support will help them through this often nerve-wracking experience. This post will give you a few ideas on how you can help. If you’re an educator helping to schedule and set up career fairs, these resources will help you help them.
- Remind your loved ones that you’re proud of them and that you’ll be there for them no matter what. Taking a career in construction isn’t the “normal” route. It requires a certain type of independence, confidence, and creativity compared to the traditional four-year program and average career. Parents, check out these resources for some additional pointers on how to support.
