Starting out...

How did you get your start doing construction superintendent work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

The most successful Superintendents are those that began their careers as Apprentices in a trade, then worked as Journeyman, then Foremen then Assistant Superintendent, and then Superintendent. That is the old way, but still the best way. In the past, Superintendents were most often carpenters. The reason for this is that Union carpenters traditionally set up trailers/offices, did layout for foundations, etc., built formwork, did interior framing and drywall, door frames and doors/hardware and were their until the end of the Project. Their involvement was much broader and deeper than my description, of course, but you get the idea. Also, the carpenter had to coordinate his work with the other trades and so became familiar with their work as well.

Times have changed and now a college degree has taken the place of all of this experience and knowledge (what is college but accumulation of knowledge?). Or, a fellow becomes a Superintendent because he is needed to fill the space, and has experience in a particular kind of work. Worst of all, young people expect to be given high paying, responsible positions to which they are neither trained nor really qualofied for.

If insuring something conforms to a spec., or if a schedule is being met qualifies as the Superintendent's role, then their is no need for college as anyone can do that who can read, and absorbed some basic instructions.

Most larger companies value the Superintendent's I describe. When you look at their websites you will note they usually seek craft superintendents (it or .e.-piping, equipment, pile driver, carpenter, ironworker) or an individual who has a general in depth knowledge of all the trades as a Projet Superintendent. Usually they want 15 plus years of experience as a Superintendent.

The best "moves" as you call them, are to take it seriously, learn as much as you can everyday, and apply it to the work.

Host said: How did you get your start doing construction superintendent work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

I forgot to mention that a favorite question is to ask what is the headache ball on a crane for, and why are they different sizes? Experienced Superintendents know this and it makees a difference in planning some parts of a job. Or, why use a smooth drum roller vs. a sheepsfoot roller, and why are they called sheepsfoot roller anyway?

Questions like this are important for a Superintendent to know and understand, and I suppose another important question is why(?).

I've been a woman in the field for a few years. My husband was a finish carpenter and I picked up the business by helping him. I went to a company that allowed me to learn and work my way up the ladder so to speak, until I was running all phases of remodel jobs. I moved to VA and applied for a job to be a punch out tech. They looked at my resume and hired me as an Asst. Super. I found men that I respected and I learned from them. Asked questions, lots of them, and studied prints until I knew what I was looking at. Now I'm a finish end super in high rise in NYC.

Common sense in this industry is a must

I have 12 years experience as a retail construction superintendent traveling throughout the eastern half of the U.S.A. supervising various retail construction projects.
I am looking for a position of employment matching this experience.
Please contact me with employer(s) looking for traveling superintendents.
Thank You for your contact.
Mark J. Krall
724-620-0997

just get drunk and go for it. It's the best way