The TRUTH: Construction Engineering and Construction Management Career | Expectations vs Reality
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- Wondering what a construction engineering career or construction management career is really like? I'll go over 5 expectations vs reality that can help you know the truth behind this career. My instagram: @kikoga
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So for my background I am a construction project engineer with a bachelors and masters degree in civil engineering working for a big general contractor in Hawaii.
Expectation 1: You will need to remember the material from your construction engineering degree or construction management degree to succeed.
Reality: Not necessarily and not really. The most basic functions I use are trig and adding and subtracting fractional inches. It does help to have a civil engineering degree to I can speak somewhat intelligently with the structural design engineers, but other than that I don't really use my degree that much in my day to day operations. In construction you can learn almost everything on the job, so don't worry too much about it.
Expectation 2: The bigger the construction project, the better it will be for your career.
Reality: Not necessarily. On the bigger construction projects, you can get exposure internally on a district and corporate level, however bigger projects tend to have larger teams so you are more focused on the scopes you are in charge of and get to learn. On smaller jobs you will have less support so you will need to oversee a lot of scopes which is beneficial when building to see how all the different trades come together. Bigger jobs can lead to you getting pigeon holed so it may not be the best for your career.
Expectation 3: Construction is Hard
Reality: Yes, construction & construction management is not for the faint of heart. Especially as a new project engineer or field engineer in construction you will need to spend the time to work as it is an experienced based industry. If you expect to work 40 hour work weeks with a stress free lifestyle you will be very disappointed from day 1. Construction schedules are tight, budgets are tight and it is a fast paced industry; the expectation is that you keep up.
Expectation 4: As a new employee, you may not make a difference
Reality: You can and likely will get thrown into the fire. But honestly this is the best way to start out your construction management career or construction engineering career. Get in the mix and start learning.
Expectation 5: Your problems will be less ridiculous as you move up.
Reality: Ridiculousness and ridiculous people exist at every part of the totem pole. Even high ranking people have their issues and it is your job to work with all types of different people in construction. Base your decision making on what is best for the project, and you will be okay.
0:00 Intro
0:44 Expectation #1 Will You Use Your Degree?
2:30 Expectation #2 Big Job or Small Job?
4:45 Expectation #3 Is Construction Hard?
6:21 Expectation #4 Can A New Engineer Make a Difference?
9:05 Expectation #5 Problems Change as You Move Up?
12:30 THANKS FOR STAYING TIL THE END!
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Kienen Koga is a project engineer working for a corporate company. This video and this channel does not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of the company and are for entertainment purposes only. All thoughts expressed are purely his own observations and experiences.
What other sort of expectations do you have? I’ll try answer them in future videos!
firstly keep it up bro I love what you sharing! I want to tell a bit about myself. My plan was to build a career as a Project Controls Engineer. Before I work as Project Controls engineer I wanted to start as a site engineer to learn all site process of a project. I have been working for general contractor at Nuclear Power Plant Project in Turkey for more than a year. Site is so heated and stressful and I have many responsibilities. I think I learned enough about how a project goes on. I am preparing myself to change my way to be a Project Controls engineer. Right now I am still working on site but everyday after work I study to improve my skills on Excel and Primavera P6. What do you think about my thoughts? Is it logical what I am trying to do? Thanks in advance bro!
@@fevzicemgozel8596 sounds like you’re on the right track! Keep learning man, but also dont be too quick to jump out of the field, you can always learn so much from being outside. The computer skills will always come, take advantage of what each project has to offer and embrace its unique challenges.
@@KienenKoga Yes, actually I think the same. But Its so hard to get over this stress and I have only 3 hours for myself everyday. I feel like I can not live like this. I am gonna try to go on at site for 6 months more then I will be done. There are many things to learn on site like you said, everyday different situation appears but Its obviously hard to live like this.
@@fevzicemgozel8596 very true. Yes, no sense in working there if you’re not happy; that’s such an important part of this whole thing, everyone deserves to enjoy their life. Thanks for commenting and watching man!
Gko
I am currently working for a GC. This is spot on!!
Thanks so much Parth!
If you are here and you can work as a good engineer, chat my company on WhatsApp *+1914-292-0504* for interview,
I love the content that you put out, it’s so thorough and to the point. I also like the jokes and humour you incorporate into it all !
Thank you so much for supporting Teymour!
Glad I found this page. I'm watching videos in my spare time. These were excellent. Im journeyman 6 years, decided on taking cm class Aloha❤
This is so accurate
Thanks!
100% accurate. I graduated as a mechanical engineer and went into construction as a project engineer for 1.5 years. Loved the fast pace but LONG hours. I had to get out since I had a relationship I wanted to keep and comparing myself to the long-timers; they never had good relationships/saw their kids..
JFuzed so do you not need a construction management degree to become a manger and if not what do you need?
Not really
@@user-nn4ft2jm1i you need to either
A.) Play golf ⛳
B.) Be part of a country club 🤠
C.) Give head 🗣️ and slurp on balls.
D.) Be someone's kin i.e. nephew of VP
Awesome, this gave me a good idea of what to expect. Thanks for the insight, it was really helpful!
These videos are keeping me motivated in Construction Engineering school Kienen. Thank you 🙏🏿
That’s awesome! Stick with it!
How is the program?
I'm still working on my civil engineering degree and started working in construction like 8 months ago, but I already had to deal with a guy flushing his gloves down the toilet wtf it's like a trend or something. Anyway 100% agree with everything you said, well done.
Thanks bud! You're insight is crucial to us seniors :)
I'm glad that i stumbled upon your channel. Currently studying Civil engineering. The video was.... Reassuring in a way. Thanks ✌🏻💜
so interesting to hear your perspective about juggling family life. thank goodness i have this growing youtube family!
Hahaha always here for you!
Thank you for making this vid!
No problem! Glad you liked it! Appreciate you watching 🤙
"learn by suffering". This is honestly how I have always had to learn and I will bet that most people above you will have done the same damn thing. Sometimes you are just put in a position where you will sink or swim, if you have the will power you will swim. It's nice to have mentors to show you the way things work but most of the time all you need is a few questions answered. All that takes is calling someone you know who has experience to help you clarify something that seems complicated.
To anyone getting into the field, I would say, the first step is to begin. The next step is to figure it out.
70 hour work week will most definitely help
So insightful man! I am one of the super lucky ones who gets to work things out by suffering, yay! So i felt that deep in my core
Thanks Larry!
I'm a Realtor and Carpenter and I'm looking at going to school for construction management this was really helpful thanks!
Mate great video, please keep these up.
I’m glad I found your channel, there’s not a lot of Channels that talk about the day to day life in construction: I absolutely felt it when you said you can learn from mentorship or you can learn from suffering. I started off with a big GC and I had a lot of peers coming in, but I switched to a small company with no peers that I could bounce ideas off of and very little mentorship since everyone is so busy, I have learned from suffering over and over again and honestly I think it’s the worst way to learn. Your absolutely right constrution is not for the faint of heart.
Its a tough way to learn, but for sure an effective one haha thanks so much for watching!
Currently a civil engineering major concentrating in construction management, loved this video.
This video helped me a lot thanks man, gonna do this program at school
Love your videos! I work in Construction and so can totally relate 😂.
considering doing construction management in uni. this vid helped me out alot man
Your channel is helping a lot. I’m in the military and I’m struggling with what degree I want when I get out. The fact that you say these things bluntly honest is gonna save a lot of people from joining a field that isn’t meant for them. Good shit!
I appreciate it! Hope to be transparent as possible. Thanks for the support 🤙
Taking my IBC contractor's test tomorrow and then my new life in construction will begin! Please keep making these videos I have so much to learn.
Awesome Bethany! Best of luck to you!
This was awesome bro. As a new field engineer for a large GC in the US I really appreciated this honest insight to how it is working in the industry... especially as an asian american. thanks for the video man!
Thanks for watching!
Omg this was informational and also entertaining considering the shenanigans that go on at the jobs😊👍
Very Resourceful! Thank you!
Im glad to hear! Thank you Ana!
Great take, as a young project engineer there is a lot of truth in this video.
nice! Thanks Kamden!
I’m a project engineer with a degree…of course I’m still learning but gotta start somewhere. Our jobs are not as large as yours, I’m a project engineer on multiple jobs and they are all different types of work.
Thanks for giving us the valuable insight of construction Engineering and Management.
Thanks for watching!
Comming from an ironworker perspective, suffering is the best way to learn in my eyes because u remember the pressure and critical thinking
couldnt agree more!
Fantastic. Keep' em coming.
Thanks Marco!
Excellent video! Thanks!
thank you!
Great teaching style!
Great videos man! I love the insight and the examples you give to explain your points!!
Great video man, I currently have no experience but would like to in the future, work as a construction engineer, I just lack motivation to achieve my goals..
expecting much though this video has opened up my view of expectations also fears...thanks
Awesome to hear!
Damn nice advice , im just graduated and i know some of the things you said , its hard being a civil engineer though , gotta toughen up !! 😑😑
Hahahaha yeah!
Become an architect
I really appreciate your effort to tell us the truth.
Thanks for watching Simbo! Trying to keep it real as much as possible haha
Thank you for this video. Very interesting and informative. Almost skipped it glad i didnt.
Thanks so much for your video dude!
Thanks for watching!!
So much more of the job is about the people than I would’ve assumed! I don’t know why I was thinking it was mostly technical. But you really have to have a lot of different skills to be successful in the field!
Yup! Totally agree! Engineers cant be total introverts hahaha
Digging the accuracy (and innuendo lol). I'm a PM on the owner side, interesting to see the contractor side.
hello! I'm current in school for Construction Management, I love construction but not a fan of the long hours😕 I was looking into becoming a PM, would you say it's more of a "normal" work week?
@@bethanystuart614 totally depends on the project and industry. Sometimes you work overtime to get it done, like during construction.
Amen! You hit the nail right on the head! Yes, yes, all true! Construction 🚧 🦺 and all its wonderful BS!
I’ve been working towards a construction management degree for two years now and have been working doing residential for the past two years as well I’m only 21 so I know I have lots more experience to get especially in the commercial field but this video helped me immensely on getting better ideas of what I’ll be doing and what to focus on it was fantastic I would love if you could make a part two fantastically well made video
Super awesome Peter! Glad to hear you started early 🤙 keep it up man!
Wait so you, when you say construction management degree for two years. you only got the certificste after two years? are you doukf well? what statw are you in and how much do you make? im a senior in hs wondering where or what i should do
Inspiring 💯
Love your story telling skills and hand gestures 😂❤
CHEEEEE HAWAI’I LEHH GO🤙🏾🤙🏾 much mahalo bradda Kienan for the videos🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Yeah!!!! Hahaha thanks for commenting! Appreciate it 🤙
This is so helpful!
glad to hear Cameron!
Idk how or why, but your video popped up on my feed and after watching this, I’m subscribing. I am a Project Coordinator for a construction subcontracting company, and I’ve only started to get my feet wet. I am definitely getting my experience working on the smaller projects, and by asking a lot of questions! My background? Business 😅
hahaha awesome Maiko! Don't worry, it'll come with time. Welcome to our lovely industry! haha
For someone coming out of college and into the industry, I would say this is so accurate. Being thrown out there and taking a huge load for your first couple of times is just the growing pains!! Great video man.
Thanks Marco!
I’m starting my construction management journey , first year already took some classes , do you think it’s a waste of time , did you use any of the info you learned in college ? Was it accurate !?! I really wanna become an electrician but they recommended a minimum of 2 years of any type of college ., but maybe I’d like construction management as I get to know it more
@@edwinjimenez960 I use what I learned in college on a daily basis. Construction management is a specailized major, so it's all useful.
Very help 👍 appreciate the video
I've been in construction for 6 years as a millwright and got my degree while I was working full time. It's definitely worth the suffering because while big tech is laying off in the hundreds of thousands, I am able to buy my family a nice gourmet pizza this weekend with my fat engineering paycheck.
I started watching this video with the expectation that most of the information presented wouldn't be accurate (forgive me, I, too, have been in the construction industry for a while, lol). I was wrong. This is straightforward and factual. Nice video!
Thanks for your kind information.
I am also a civil engineer and from your work schedule I got that how engineers life is tough
it is, but if you love the work, it's worth it
Can you do a Assistant sup Vs pm role for upcoming senior project engineers? You hit on all the general entry items for college students but now that I’m in I’m trying to balance out the pros and cons of the next step. Overall awesome video !
Me gusta mucho lo que dijiste que necesitas saber las dos cosas del trabajo y no solo de la escuela porque en mis trabajos an llegado ingeniero que no saben nada del trabajo solo de papeles 👍👍👍
Hi Kienan, I'm actually going through a career change where I'm leaving finance and going into construction, your video was great...keep it up! 👍🏼
Thanks so much Fasil!
Just out of curiosity, why are you leaving finance? I am thinking about double majoring in construction management and finance because both seem interesting
@@joseavila8353 Not everyone becomes Gordon Gekko, to build a career in finance you have to move to London. I left London a few years ago, it's a very tough city to live in, people are very reserved, its gets very lonely and is extremely expensive...earning £100k (thats pound sterling) is not that much! But tbh I was looking into how much I'm gonna be earning as a Cost Engineer/QS realistically and I'm having second thoughts of going into construction lol, as you have to be mobile and go where the work is, meaning more living costs as I will be away from home...so six and half a dozen really! Looks like London is calling again, but I may need to just spend less and house share and save up to buy a home this time round...see what happens! For yourself, I'm not sure what to advise as presumably your from the US, so its different to UK, but I will say do Construction Management, as you don't need a degree to work in finance as its a glorified sales job...find what your passionate about and just stick to it. Good luck!
@@fasilkhan1854 thanks man. Good luck to you too!
Fasil Khan quick question, would you need a degree for construction management?
Thank you.this man really want to help
4:20 That's true and that's what the all the HR can't understand when I explained if I where in the bigger projects they got impressed but they didn't understand that you're just in a particular job alone, they're always in numbers! the size of the area/ how high is the structure, but in reality you can't do all of it by yourself.
I swear I saw a video of you talking about credit cards benefits to get to Hawaii. And you're on the same field as me? Nice!
Great video, subscribed👍 Do you have any videos or advice for apprentices/trainees?
Thanks , this really helps.
awesome to hear
Thank you for your videos! They are inspiring and have a lot of good information. I just want to diagnose something that I have seen in the construction side of things compared to civil engineering jobs. I studied civil engineering emphasis in structural and water. I managed to get into a construction engineering job for 8 months to see and understand the differences. To be honest at first I thought there was no difference being a civil engineer in a construction world. But I came to understand that civil engineering and construction management is very different, as I found myself side to side with construction management grads that didn't understand many design concepts but the business side of things due to their degree. However, as a civil engineer grad, I feel that we lose a lot of our degree background in construction, because most GC don't understand the importance of a Professional Engineering licensure for an engineer. You don't need a PE license to be successful but after years of learning design methods in school, the end goal for an engineer is to be able to design and produce stamp projects. But if you go into construction you will never be able to go back to design firms to produce what civil engineers do for a construction project to even get started. One can always dive into construction at any time since you learn most of that stuff in the real world experience by being there at construction sites but you can't learn civil engineering tasks done in the design side of things if you lose 10 years going into construction. sorry for the long message
Thanks for sharing! If the end goal is to be a designer, agreed spending that much time in construction would be counter intuitive. A PE typically isnt used in construction since contractors likely dont want the risk of design. Really just depends on what gets your excited and what gives you your ideal lifestyle
As an entry level PE here, I have enjoyed so much seems very familiar to me, and looking forward to so much more ridiculousness throughout this career, I guess there's no turning back hehe
Hahaha yup! Get ready for the fun!
Can you make a video about career pathways for construction managers? Like for mid-career and senior positions. Great video btw. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you I appreciate it! Ill consider it! Was thinking about doing the different construction career path video 🤙
Thanks for this. I have an internship coming up this summer with a rather larger GC. This will be my first time in the field. Any tips?
Love your channel as a construction management degree student great video
Thanks man I appreciate it!
Hi, Kienen. What it be possible to do a video on how you have solved some specific problems as PE? That would be very valuable for the students.
Yeah! I was thinking about doing something like that. Thanks Zhixiang! Hopefully I can get that out by next month. I appreciate the support!
good stuff!
The fact that I'm busting my brain with structural calculations I'll never use annoys me
Agreed! Haha
Where and what are you studying sis?
@Mbali I’m studying Construction Studies at the Nelson Mandela University
As a Contractor in Construction have Construction Engineering Knowledge just gives edge in the Construction and Real Estate Industry
Thank you for the advice. I’m a first year student for construction management and sometimes I feel like I don’t retain all of the knowledge in books. I’m more of a seeing it with my own eyes to fully understand the concept. Just started watching your videos today and they are very interesting and helping me feel like this is the job I want to do. Thank you.
is it worth it?? thinking about majoring in construction management
@@thatsjonjon4926 it’s pretty cool for a career. I’m doing trade school so let’s see how that goes
I’m about to finally graduate this may for construction management and this video was very informative and I really enjoyed it I already have 5 years of experience in the industry but doing more of the labor and hands on side of things like framing, concrete, labor and some minimal management and Working summers here in Las Vegas where it gets to 120 degrees I can definitely say construction is definitely not for the weak nonetheless I look forward to finally getting out there as a CM and man working in Hawaii what a dream that is I’d love to land a job like that for a couple years, nonetheless I look forward to binge watching more of your videos keep up the great stuff !
Awesome! Congrats! You have such a good foundation of knowledge, that's awesome to hear. It's funny a lot of people from Hawaii are actually moving to Vegas. Best of luck to you! I appreciate the support!
How did the career end up?
@@Dcashkid24 fantastic! I’m currently a project engineer for a big company here in Las Vegas the project I’m currently on is a hotel remodel worth about $100 million Im really enjoying this career !
@@bluebird7028 is it true that it’s a lot of hours and not a good work life balance?
Luckily I’m working and going to school at the same time, and I’m noticing a lot of things I don’t need and things I need!
Nice!
Where were the whole time bro. I was looking for someone like you who can give me some good information 🙏
Thanks Zahid! Appreciate it!
Hi , this was great , is there a sequel to this particular video?
for temporary works designs, do general contractors typically have in-house engineers that do it? or they usually hire others to do the designs
Dude! I’m starting as a project engineer tomorrow (9 hours from now) and this video definitely helped me calm my nerves! Appreciate your genuine words and honesty!
Awesome! Best of luck!!
@Alejandro Spears how’d it go?
@@jorgeantoniovargas3006 It’s been awesome! Been here for 4 months now and have been learning so much and loving every minute so far. Thanks for asking!
How is it going brother
So true!!
nice!
Thanks for the great vid. I'm graduating in June, still undecided on what to specialize in. I must say I'm not really a fan of Maths though.
Haha no worries most people arent! Lol
Thank you so much for this video... especially the part you said construction is not for the faint hearted. It's very easy to become hard on one's self after making a few mistakes.
This is what I want to do. Thank you
I got to hear more about these stories this was hilarious
Hey there! I'm a CE student heading into the construction field soon. Thanks for keepin it real so that I don't have any unrealistic expectations. Looking forward to what the future holds!
I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Keep SOME of your books. I actually had to re-buy a couple books. The general theme there is spot on though. Also, we use Imperial units lots in Canada (depends on the region and the sector). Much of our materials need to be interchangeable. For example, nobody would make a metric-sized sheet of plywood. They are all 4' x 8' (or 1220 by 2440 millimeters... ugh). It's way easier to go from using imperial to metric opposed to vice-versa.
lol so glad I don't have to interchange for the most part
I'm curious on how you manage your relationships while being in construction. That would be a good vid haha
Haha personal relationships? One day, for sure because it is an important topic. For me communication is key and not sugar coating how your work life balance will be. To me the bitterness and resentment is usually from years of over promising and underdelivering so the more upfront and honest your are the better
@@KienenKoga Sometimes the sugar coat is less dramatic than the honesty
You will understand one day
Hahah! Right!
Hilarious! Looking back that is.
Thank you for this video! I'm currently studying Industrial Engineer and Industrial Design at uni in Colombia, and have been doing research on how to start my career in construction management after I graduate. Since I dont have a bachelor's in construction management/civil engineering, do you have any recommendations on entry level jobs or master degrees I should pursue after I finish uni? Thanks for the help, just subscribed!!!
Thanks so much for supporting Gabriela! I’ve actually heard of IEs just joining construction companies straight out of school, so I would say try to apply and see what hits. Plus theres more than just buildings in CM, theres bridges, industrial, energy, all kinds of projects out there. And I’ll always say, most things if not all you can learn on the job. Its 90% effort and attitude.
@@KienenKoga Thank you!! You’re awesomeeee! 💗
Stating in construction next week as a career change, worked as analyst since coming out for uni for 3 plus years, lucky enough to get a trainee role as site manager. I feel I've been over thinking how its gonna go but guess to be over prep than not.. Nice video tho, found it randomly and I've subbed
thank you so much!
Please tell me how & what you need
it sounds like you really admire your mentors and that they've taught you a lot. would love to hear your thoughts on the flipside of being a good mentor to someone
Ooo good video idea! Yes I truly value those who have went out of their way to help and teach me
Hey, Mr. Kienen Koga so, I am 19 years old and I’m a full time framer I build houses and at night I go to college and I also do online. So, my question is that basically I need help on my major. So, I was wondering what career path would be the best for me,is it possible to create your own blueprints and also build the houses or whatever the project is. What career path should I be looking at?
I’m just now barely getting into construction management. Getting my pmp
Any tips/template I should always keep in my mind when running a construction business full-time?
I love your energy and the content shared. It’s not just the topic but the real stories. Could you talk about different roles? Like field engineer in a contractor vs field inspection with the structural engineer?
great video, get lot of info👍👍
Thank you! Glad it helped
I start with TEC on Tuesday ( Company that built SoFi Stadium in LA) as a project engineer. Pretty nervous. I'm not a newbie but still.
Would you be able to provide some advice? Hello! So as of now I am a currently majoring in construction engineering and management at Cal Poly Pomona, but I have a problem. I don’t know whether or not I should continue because I started these harder classes such as Calc 3 and Physics, and I am completely lost in them. I am not understanding the concepts whatsoever and I feel like I am getting worse at math and problem solving. I am especially worried for the classes that are yet to come. They are even more challenging and conceptually based. I honestly don’t think I would be able to pass all those classes. I guess I am kind of lost right now and don’t know which direction I should go in. I was thinking of completely changing my major.
Also, I would like to know what type of math you use on a day-to-day basis
Just make sure you do enough to pass these classes. On the job for what I do, the most math required is understanding adding and subtracting fractional inches and percentages. No calc, no physics. Try to get some work experience to make sure you enjoy the work in this industry, and if you do, have the peace of mind that you'll use almost nothing in all those classes in your career ever again.
New PM: “Hey man my book is telling me you’re doing it wrong”
Hahahaha this is such a great comment.
great video
I started out as a civil engineer, and after 2 years i droped it and chose mechanichal, and oh my god im so happy that i did, i could not stand so much work with "things" that are not moving(static). A meche focus on the dynamics of things was so much more suitable. the university was 4th in the world in civil engineering btw. Not really going anywhere with this comment, just to encourage someone go after what they really enjoy!!
Thanks for sharing! Always good to show different experiences and perspectives!