Construction work can be a very rewarding career. It can also be a very dangerous career. These two things can go hand in hand, and not unlike most other careers there are advantages and disadvantages to doing construction work. Obviously the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or it wouldn’t be as popular a career as it is today. There are pro’s and con’s to every type of work, but this is one specific type of work I feel I should elaborate on in case someone is considering it.
Pros
The first thing you need to know about construction work is that you’re going to get paid very well. This is even more true if you join a local union and go into an apprenticeship program. Union workers are always paid better than their non-union counterparts. So if you want to get the most out of this career, look for a local union to join. Then find an apprenticeship program.
Another really great thing about working construction is that you’re going to get off of work relatively early. Unlike most office jobs where you’re cooped up in an office from 9-5, construction workers tend to get off of work in the early afternoon. Their shifts typically end around 1:30 P.M-2:30 P.M. This is ideal for getting home and avoiding rush hour. Construction workers can be at ease driving, or taking public transportation when they leave this early.
You are going to see new buildings and meet new people every day. If you’re the kind of person that considers themselves a go-getter this could be the perfect career for you; someone that is outspoken and a hard worker. Someone that enjoys seeing new things, and helping create new things that spring up from the ground. Consider this as a career option. This is one of my favorite pro’s to this type of work.
You don’t have to be dressed up every day. None of those uncomfortable buttons up shirts, with a different tie accenting them every day. Instead you can get away with wearing a ball cap, jeans, and a nice pair of work boots. This is ideal for someone who doesn’t mind getting dirty, because construction work is dirty and that needs to be understood.
Cons
Yes, it’s true as I said above that a pro is you get to leave work earlier then the 9-5’r. The reason being you get to work much earlier than the average worker. You can find yourself waking up at 3:30 A.M-5:30 A.M depending on what job you’re working on. So getting up early, and leaving early go hand-in-hand really.
Construction work is dangerous. This is my biggest con, and the one that everyone looking into this career needs to understand. There is a lot of blood on a construction site, and it can get very un-safe. The sites with 100’s-1000’s of guys rarely finish the job without one accident. This is a horrible part of this job, but it’s a realization. That’s why the work wear construction workers wear is very important. The gear is made to protect each worker from some of the worst accidents. Make sure if you’re doing this kind of work, that you have the proper work wear.
As you can clearly see, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to this kind of work. You can balance both out but the pros will always win. If you think about it every job is dangerous, and there is potential for an accident. However, if you’re looking for a high-paying, fun, interesting career then you should consider doing construction work.