Push Teens to See Coolness Factor of Construction Careers

Q: I was recently contacted by a local high school to present information on construction careers for a career-day event. I think it's a fabulous idea because I frequently see a shortage of skilled workers in some trades. I haven't taught a day in my life, and I am a little worried about stage fright and coming off badly. What are some things I should emphasize to teenagers considering construction as a career? How should I present myself? Anything else you can offer would be appreciated.

A: It's amazing how intimidating it can be to stand in front of a group of teenagers in that situation.

There are several things that you can do to prepare and make the time less frightening for you and more productive for both the students and the construction industry.

Tie your presentation to a local landmark. Is there a shopping mall or sports facility or other building or structure that may have a positive image in these students imagination?

Probably talking about a waste water treatment plant or manufacturing facility is not a good choice. Think about a new building in your town that has a high coolness factor to use as an illustration.

Inform the students of the broad range of careers available in construction.

Most students-and their parents for that matter-have a narrow perception of potential in the construction industry.

Talk about all the various professionals that had to cooperate and collaborate to build the structure you have selected. Include the architects, various types of engineers, estimators, plan reviewers and approval agencies, all the various skilled craft workers and the components of the structure in which they specialize, the financial institutions, risk managers, marketing departments, superintendents, project managers, safety engineers, product suppliers, information technology managers and company owners and operators.

The Associated General Contractors of America has a brochure available for a nominal fee entitled "Hot Jobs - Cool Careers" at www.agc.org on the Internet. This is a four-color tri-fold brochure that includes16 pages of industry information, job descriptions, training requirements and self-assessment tests helps students determine the construction profession that best suits their talents and skills.

Teens and Green

The complexity of the industry is lost on the general public, and you could help the students get a much better picture of the complexity and dynamics of the industry.

Talk about the earnings potential in the construction industry. Remember, at this point in their careers, it IS about the money. An honest discussion about income for the various crafts and other careers in the construction industry helps students understand that they can earn a good living at a relatively young age in construction.

Most of all, talk about your own positive experiences with the industry. Be genuine.

Your enthusiasm for the industry, what it has meant to you and your family, the quality of life in your community and other positive feelings you have are more important than all the specific information you can share.

Do you have questions on construction human resources or safety?
E-mail them to Leonard Toenjes at ltoenjes@agcstl.org or
craig_barner@mcgraw-hill.com.

(If Len picks your question,
he will answer it in a future issue of Midwest Construction.)