March 31st, 2020 Managing in the construction field

Architectural and Engineering Managers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI2gYXu8ffQ (Youtube)

Behind the construction of every building, road, and crucial network of piping is an architectural and engineering
manager. They are the leaders who research and develop new projects and ensure high standards of quality and
safety, while also considering the impact on the environment and user needs. These managers craft detailed
plans to meet technical goals, from mapping out training, staff, and equipment needs, to evaluating welding
subcontractors and asphalt grades, to calculating the structural stability of a building site. Based on this research,
they propose budgets and lead teams of architects and engineers to execute the project. Architectural and
engineering managers often work more than 40 hours per week to meet deadlines and budgets. While many
work in offices, it’s also fairly common to work in a lab or on a construction site. They typically enter the position
with at least a bachelor’s degree in either architecture or an engineering specialty. They must have very thorough
work experience in the field to earn a management role, and may add a second degree in business administration
or in a related field.

Civil Engineers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XIQSrYi0O0 (Youtube)

From 4,500-year-old Egyptian pyramids and ancient Roman aqueducts to today's monolithic bridges and giant
skyscrapers, civil engineering has a long and impressive history. Civil engineers design and maintain many of the
structures around us- including buildings, roads, bridges, and the systems that move water and waste for our
communities. For every project, civil engineers must meet regulatory standards, prioritize safety, consider
environmental risks and the endurance of materials, and anticipate costs for building as well as long-term
maintenance. From entry-level positions to project leads, this is a team-based career that requires continuous
problem solving. It's typical for civil engineers to specialize. Construction engineers manage large construction
projects... Geotechnical engineers ensure the solid foundation of engineering projects like tunnels and tall
buildings... Structural engineers design and evaluate plans for major buildings, bridges, and dams and make sure
they are built to last... Transportation engineers plan roadway construction and maintenance, as well as design
airports, subways, and metro transit systems. Civil engineers often work outdoors at construction sites to monitor
progress and troubleshoot any problems that come up. Most work full time. They need a bachelor's degree in
civil engineering... one of its specialties... or in civil engineering technology. A Professional Engineering license is
required for many jobs. Civil engineering is a complex field, but it's one that leaves a lasting mark.
Construction Managers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiamJadljrw (Youtube)

When a building goes up, construction managers handle the big questions: who’s doing what; how long will it
take; how much will it cost; and what happens if there’s an accident or work delay. They plan and supervise all
types of construction projects— buildings, roads, bridges, and more— from beginning to end. Construction
managers work closely with architects, civil engineers, and a variety of trades workers. They frequently call in city
inspectors to ensure that all regulations are met, and may consult with lawyers and local officials for large
projects. They use cost-estimating and planning software to develop budgets and schedules, which they must
maintain while also fulfilling design specifications. Construction managers work in both commercial and
residential construction. Many are self-employed, while others work for specialty trade contractors. They
typically have an office, but spend most of their time onsite to monitor construction activities and make on-the-
spot decisions. Long hours are common, as is being on call around the clock. While almost all positions require
extensive construction experience, formal education needed ranges from a bachelor’s degree for the biggest
projects, to an associate’s degree or high school diploma for smaller projects. Some managers earn general
contractor credentials and work for themselves. A new construction manager typically trains as an assistant
under an experienced manager.

Construction and Building Inspectors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgnWqyol0Pk (Youtube)

We all depend on the built environment— buildings, homes, and even sidewalks and streets— to be safe and
stable. Construction and building inspectors ensure that these, and many other structures, meet building codes,
zoning regulations, and requirements spelled out in building contracts. There are many types of inspectors…
from general building and home inspectors… to construction and mechanical inspectors… who examine
everything from electrical systems, elevators, and HVAC systems… to bridges, sewer systems, and even paint
coatings. Typically, inspectors perform an initial check during the first phase of construction, and follow-up
inspections throughout a construction project. At project completion, they make a final inspection and write up
their findings in a report. These workers spend most of their time inspecting worksites, but also work in field
offices to review blueprints and schedule inspections. They may have to climb ladders or crawl in tight spaces to
complete their inspections. Most inspectors work for local government… many also work in architecture or
engineering firms. Although full-time, regular business hours are typical, additional hours may be needed during
heavy construction seasons, or to respond to job site accidents. Inspectors typically learn on the job but most
employers require a high school education, and extensive knowledge of construction trades. Many states require
a license or certification.
Construction management https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNgsSdRqsh0
(Jessica Fitzwilson – Construction Manager at Turner Construction Cincinnati) Oh I love my job!
What is it?
Construction management as a whole is just managing the overall process of it, from project development to the
owners deciding what they want to build and then we’re there through the duration of construction. It’s unique in
that we deal with the design team, which is you know composed of architects and engineers, and then we also
deal with the subcontractors.
(Brian Mooney, General Manager at Turner Construction Cincinnati) It’s kind of an orchestra that we kind of try to
conduct and make sure everybody’s kind of on the same page.
The key responsibilities that we have as construction managers are making sure the project’s delivered on time
and on budget. In the company we tend to differentiate into either project engineers or project superintendents.
Project engineers basically work on the paperwork side of the business.
(Nicole LoVaglio – Construction Manager at Turner Construction Cincinnati) I’m tracking everything for the owner
on paper, so if they didn’t have me, then we wouldn’t be able to track proper materials or that the architect has
specified are on site. Any questions that the contractors have, I make sure that the architects answering them.
The superintendent side, they’re the ones that are actually out in the field coordinating with the field staff.
(Lamonte Nelms Jr. – Construction Manager at Turner Construction Cincinnati) Contractors come out here and
they’re getting ready to put it in and if they’re confused, it’s our job to make sure that the… any questions that
they have are clarified.
The architect communicates to us what he wants, we communicate that to the subcontractor, and then any
questions in between we’re solving those problems or going back to the design team saying “Hey, that can’t
work.”

How do you get into it?

I enjoyed math and science and I loved building things, just having a hands-on type of approach. In construction,
management was the thing that kind of tiles those together.
Nothing stays the same. It’s always moving, very dynamic.
I remember when I was little, I used to stare at houses and say how is that built and just preview new unique ways
that buildings are built…
Well, the construction industry as a whole is driven through STEM (STEM = Science Technology Engineering Math).
SCIENCE: we’re dealing with physics, the way different loads work with gravity;
and TECHNOLOGY: the industry’s really good in technology driven utilizing 3D modelling software
ENGINEERING wise: we use it on a daily basis.
MATH: we use measurements all the time, calculating square footage, yardage, volume, area…
For life in general, I think any type of STEM curriculum or STEM course is beneficial for your life.
I went to the University of Cincinnati. I started out in architectural engineering and decided that I liked more of
the building and management side versus the design side.
Through school, you learn the general trades, the different mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing… You just
have a general knowledge, not diving into the specifics too much.
Through co-ops and my opportunities to work with Turner construction company, I was able to get hired full-time
because of the learning experiences that I gained working for Turner. And a co-op is actually a learning
opportunity instead of the classroom, you actually go to the job sites, you go to work on a daily basis and they pay
you.
So I started working in co-op in construction companies and ended up with Turner.

What is it like?
Construction kind of has that connotation of dirty hands-on labor work but it’s a business.
I came to work for Turner straight out of school as a field engineer. I actually worked on a jobsite day-to-day with
the trade contractors coordinating the work that went in place. I also had roles as what I would call project
engineer doing all the paperwork. From there I moved on to leadership roles on large projects. I was a project
manager of a-hundred-million-dollar hospital expansion.
A typical project would last between eighteen to twenty-four months which offers you a quick turnaround time, if
you think about it, of a project. So you’re seeing, you know in the life of your career, a bunch of different projects
that you’ve been involved in.
When I started here at Turner I was a field engineer which means you’re just out assisting the superintendent,
primarily focused on maybe one or two trades… maybe watching the concrete guy.
Girl… I’m in a cost engineer role where I see… oversee a portfolio of projects and just focus on the financial or cost
aspect of it to make sure every dollar is accounted for.

Why do you love your job?

You can see a piece of dirt come into this huge magnificent tall structure that will be there for years to come. You
can take family and friends to see it.
Literally, if you miss a day of work, you’ve missed a lot of work that’s been put up. (= work that has been put up)
Our day is spent primarily problem-solving.
And that’s the fun of our business… is that once you get everybody kind of doing the same thing and working on
to the right goal and getting that piece in place. There’s the real rewarding in what we do.
It’s ever-changing. There’s something always evolving, new ways of doing things, new types of materials to work
with… And the pay’s well.
We’re managing… the conversations between the architect, the engineer and the person who’s actually putting it
in.
I mean you’re more building buildings. I think that’s a pretty neat thing to do. It’s a huge art project if you were to
think of it that way.
I’m extremely important!
I love my job! It’s awesome!

Autre vidéo sur les construction managers : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zIb8G9DlF0

Sur l’ensemble des métiers, du process : (University of Newcastle, Australia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc40yA0eyZo