Hot Jobs : Building Up to a Career

Brad Shipcott, a construction supervisor for Kaufman & Broad, advises those interested in construction management to learn about building from the ground up.

“My father was a general contractor and I worked with him on custom homes,” said Shipcott, 34. He learned about framing, cement work, masonry, roofing and general carpentry while becoming a licensed contractor. “But the hard, physical work started to wear on me, and I thought, ‘There has to be an easier way to earn a living than this,’ ” he said.

But shortly after Shipcott began a management position, he learned that mental stress can be just as exhausting as physical labor. “There are days when I would gladly take the physical work over the mental, because there are so many details to keep track of. If someone doesn’t do their job right, I’m the one who is responsible. But I enjoy my work. It’s a good way to make a living.”

All the years he spent learning various parts of the building trades pay off on a daily basis for Shipcott. “I am responsible for the quality of the work and having done so much of this myself at one point makes it easier for me to make decisions. I can put myself in the men’s shoes and I know what kind of pressures they are under,” he said.

In addition to the satisfaction of seeing a project through from start to finish, Shipcott enjoys the teamwork required to build a house. “Everyone is dependent on the other guy doing his job right,” Shipcott said. “All the work is interrelated. We set goals and work hard to meet them.”

OCCUPATION: Construction Manager

* What’s involved: Oversee all aspects of a construction project, including major and minor details; coordinate with subcontractors, meet deadlines and ensure quality of work. Accompany building inspectors during inspections and report problems or delays to construction company administrators.

* Qualifications: Knowledge of construction trades, including roofing, framing, cement work and masonry. Some managers have a college background, but most work is learned on the job. Ability to supervise and encourage teamwork is important, as well as the ability to focus on both the big picture and important details.

* Outlook: By 1998, the number of jobs is projected to increase 13.9%, to 2,300.

* Salary: Average is $60,000 per year.

* Pros: Working outdoors; overseeing projects from start to finish; daily contact with workers and all aspects of the construction process. Responsibility for large teams of workers, their safety and the quality of work performed by each.

* Cons: Rise as early as 4 a.m. to be on a job site by 6 a.m. and often remain until 8 p.m. Long commutes are sometimes required.

* Advancement: Movement to administrative positions such as director of construction or vice president of operations.

* Quote: “I enjoy building quality homes for families. There’s a lot of satisfaction in driving past a development after the people have moved in, knowing that you helped create a nice environment for them.”--Brad Shipcott, construction manager, Kaufman & Broad