There's no doubt about it, a career in construction is hard work, no matter if you are a craft laborer, an iron worker or construction engineer. Designing, planning and building the infrastructure, houses and businesses for your community is hard work. But for those who are willing to work hard, careers in construction pay off big time.
Results You Can See
Talk about tangible results. Construction workers build the roads, bridges, buildings and utility grids that make up our world. After every day on the job, you'll be able to look back on the work you did and see it as progress made. On top of the feeling of accomplishment you'll get after a finished job, you have something to point out to your friends and say, "I built that," or "I designed that."
Physical Activity
When you use your whole body at work--instead of sitting in front of a computer all day--you're using your body for what it was designed to do: move. Sedentary desk jobs lead to heart disease, muscle degradation, poor circulation, strained neck, disk damage and other health problems. An active work day reduces stress, helps you sleep, reduces obesity, and improves learning. So, whether you are a bricklayer working high up on the scaffolding or a design engineer running tests in the field, a career in construction will keep you on your toes.
Better Pay
With economic flux, industries are rising and falling, but construction is here to stay. Whether you're deciding how to begin your career after high school or looking for a change, a career in skilled labor is one that rewards you for your time and effort. Construction workers earned a mean hourly wage of $18.22 an hour in 2016, and salaries go up depending upon specialization and experience, with project managers averaging $75,000 a year, and construction engineer salaries reaching six figures.
Happiness
According to industry research, construction workers are happier than people in other fields. Survey participants rated their satisfaction with colleagues, work environment, and enthusiasm for the projects they work on. We think it has something to do with the tangible results of your work, and the sense of purpose in knowing you're building a piece of Michigan.
Variety
Somebody's got to push the paper around, but for those of us looking for something different, careers in construction — from framer to finish carpenter — offer something new everyday. New scenery, new challenges, new projects, and new accomplishments not only keep you on your toes, but to keep you from getting bored with your job.
What are you waiting for? Build your new life today by working to build a better Michigan. Click below to advance your career with training opportunities.
