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What do you do for a living?

Construction and Real Estate development.Construction Manager

How would you describe what you do?

I oversee and manage construction and real estate developments for a commercial construction company.

What does your work entail?

We do is anything from land development to the finished product, commercial products, and multi-family products. I’m basically in charge of the initial start of project, all the from when we turn dirt to the finished product.

How did you get started?

My family’s in it and I kind of just fell into it when I didn’t like anything else I did.

What do you like about what you do?

The freedom mainly. It’s basically like being self employed, that’s probably the biggest thing. I kind of set my own hours, leave when I want to, come when I want to. Also I have a lot interaction with people on a daily basis. It’s not the same everyday. I don’t have to worry about going to a desk and sitting there all day long. I can get out and go do things or I can sit at the office and can do the work that I need to there.

What do you dislike?

Some days it can be long and tiresome and you have to deal with subcontractors. Some days are difficult to deal with. Some times it can be rewarding though too. It’s mainly just so many ups and downs in the real estate and construction markets is probably the biggest thing I don’t like.

How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

Currently I am paid at just a base salary plus a bonus schedule based on how jobs are completed and the time frame in which they’re done.

How much money do you make?

It’s $250,000 plus. The base salary is six figures plus and then bonuses are based on the projects.

What education or skills are needed to do this?

Basic construction management and management of people. You also need negotiation skills. There’s not actually any degree requirements, granted a construction management degree would help somebody get started. Mainly just having somebody who’d be willing to learn and get into it and figure it out on their own.

What is most challenging about what you do?

Managing and controlling people.

What is most rewarding?

Besides the monetary figure it’s just the benefit of time and having some freedom. I if I want to have a family or if I was married I could easily do that.

What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

To work under somebody else first and get experience from somebody who has been doing it a while before jumping into it on your own.

How much time off do you get/take?

Guaranteed two weeks but basically whenever I want.

What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

Probably that people think I don’t do anything, just because it’s a lot of running around and checking on projects. There’s a lot of driving time, there’s a lot of things that have to be done before and after to make sure the project runs smoothly. Most people don’t ever see all that, because most of it’s done either in person or on the phone or in meetings.

What are your goals/dreams for the future?

I want to get into bigger projects, leaning more toward bigger commercial projects. Not like hospitals but maybe institutional development or something.

What else would you like people to know about what you do?

It can be a very rewarding job. It can be very rewarding for people who like to be outdoors and also indoors at the same time. For the most part it’s not a real high stress job, although it can be stressful at times.

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