The next time you pass a construction site, look at the various people, equipment and machines. Someone has to coordinate this project.
Someone has to make sure that the plumbers, the architects, the carpenters, the electricians and the painters are working on their tasks at the right time and in the right place. Someone has to be sure that the project is finished on time, that it meets local building codes and that it doesn't go over budget.
That someone is called a construction project manager.
Jim Throgmorton is a construction project manager. He owns a construction firm in Phoenix. "My early career at the field level taught me exactly how a building comes out of the ground, and what it takes to construct an entire project," he says.
"And my later years in supervising, layout, design and quality control have given me the experience to manage a project to completion."
Throgmorton began working in construction at the age of eight. "My dad was a general contractor. I helped when I wasn't in school. At age 16, I was running framing crews. In the military, I learned aviation mechanics. Then after the military, I returned to school and got an associate degree in architectural engineering."
Over the years, Throgmorton studied various subjects, such as mechanical systems controls, continuing construction management, business courses and communication courses.
He has worked on many projects, but the most interesting involved managing construction projects for a brewing company. "Three of these projects were grassroots projects. We found a piece of land, scraped it clear and took it from dirt to beer!"
Other highlights of his career include a stint as vice-president of a branch office for a mechanical contracting company when he was only 30 years old. "I was young and ambitious. I worked many hours a day."
In Throgmorton's opinion, there is no other industry quite like construction management. "For instance, at age 25, I was in charge of a $17-million project. I was managing 200 people," he says. "I don't think there is any other place where you could get that level of authority at such an early age."
The work can be stressful. Throgmorton recently completed three days on a new project where he was hired to clean up problems created by the other people working on the site. "I had a very confrontational three days," he says.
"I had to get people up and moving and doing things that they didn't really want to do. It can be stressful, but that is what they pay me for. The contracting business can be brutal at times. It's my job to see that the owners don't get 'shafted' by contractors who are trying to cut corners."
Still, many aspects are rewarding. "I like helping people. I like problem solving. Sometimes I come into a situation where nothing is going right. I get people together, get them talking, and find out what the problems are and then find solutions," he explains.
"We have a saying, 'If it takes one woman nine months to make a baby, can nine women make a baby in one month?' Sometimes my job is to get people to see that they have unreasonable expectations like that one."
If you are interested in this career, Throgmorton suggests that you spend your summers working on construction sites. Get as much practical experience as you can. "It pays dividends later. It's very useful for you to understand the process of how construction happens," he says.
"It's important to understand what it is you don't know. Ask questions. Never be afraid to ask questions. I've been doing this for a long time and I still ask questions. Then enroll in a good school and study construction management."
After working in construction for a short time himself, Kerry Hamm decided to devote his career to running project management programs. That's where people working in the industry can come to learn new skills.
"Our students are usually already working in the construction industry. Some are in entry-level positions, and they are hoping to learn new skills so they can be promoted to construction project managers. Others are already working in that capacity but they want to increase their skills."
Students focus on leadership, team building and conflict resolution. They also learn how to use cost estimating software.
"With estimating software, it's just so much easier to send a person for a couple of months of training than for people to struggle to learn it on the job. Software tools available now make the job so much easier," says Hamm.
"It shows you the effects of things -- for example, if you do something on one area of your project, what will the effect be on another area? The software shows you the entire project and lets you see where you might be running into problems."
Employers look for people with strong organizational skills -- someone who knows how to schedule times and estimate budgets. And you have to be a really good communicator.
"Sometimes you have line authority and sometimes you don't. You also have people working for you from different departments, or they may be outside contractors. Technically, you are not their boss. But you are in charge of seeing that they get things done properly," says Hamm.
Elida Huignard enjoys that aspect of her work. As a project manager and partner in her own firm, Huignard deals with people from different trades backgrounds. "I like the interaction with all kinds of different people. I have to deal with project engineers, the bricklayers, the plumbers -- all the trades," she says.
"I have to see that the whole project evolves from the original plan that I am given, up to completion. It is a challenge to organize. I like that part."
Huignard graduated with a degree in architecture in her native Argentina. After graduation, she immigrated to North America and worked in architectural offices for five years.
"Then by chance, I started working in construction project management on a government project. After two or three years, my husband and I decided that we could do the same thing on our own, so we opened our own business."
On a typical day, Huignard comes to the office and makes her phone calls early in the morning before the workers are out on the sites. Afterwards, her time is spent going to meetings with project managers or visiting sites to view the progress.
"I also attend to almost all calls in relation to the technical part. I coordinate the work -- plan for what exactly is going to happen in the future, establish contacts with the people involved and so on."
Since Huignard is in business for herself, she and her husband must also acquire contracts to ensure ongoing work.
"Our work is all government contracts -- renovating or making additions to schools, libraries, government offices, buildings and so on. It is all very competitive. We bid on each contract and usually the contract goes to the lowest bidder."
Huignard's most memorable project is a recent one in which she coordinated the export of a large clubhouse building to Argentina. "I did all the contacts coordination, the translation, and had to know and handle Argentina building regulations. This project was quite challenging."
Some aspects of the work are stressful. "People in business can be stressed around completion dates. It's funny. They spend a lot of time planning and discussing, then when it is time to start construction, they want it done in a few days," she says.
"And not all people are necessarily nice people, and not all people are educated in construction matters. You have to be adaptable and handle all of these things and make it work."
Huignard advises that anyone interested in this field must find a way to learn the technical aspects of the work, as well as get experience at the construction sites. Managerial skills and people skills are very important.
"And I don't see enough women in the field," says Huignard. "Usually, I am the only one on the site. As a woman, I always have to prove my skills in what is traditionally a man's profession. However, once people see that I have the skills, it is OK."