Transition from contracting to consulting in public works 4

[Dandoo]

Question for Civil Engineers involved in public works.

I've been a road construction contract administrator with a consulting firm, for 6 months. Got laid off due to shortage of work, now I'm considering working for a paving contractor doing estimating/project coordination.

I would like to work for a contractor to see how things get done in the field, BUT I also want the option of switching to consulting 3-4 years from now,doing construction management or design. Is this wishful/naive thinking? I'm not confident I can get another consulting job right now, because of my limited experience. I'm in my mid twenties.

 

[bimr]

Do you have a degree? The positions that you have decribed do not appear to be civil engineering position.

My experience with consulting firms is that the firms are primarily interested in hiring people that will bring work in with them. If you can do that, you can punch your own ticket with any consulting firm. To understand what I am talking about google "Client Manager". Firms don't care if you can do the work, they want you to bring the work to them.

 

[Dandoo]

I've never thought of managing clients. Yes, I have a Civil Eng. degree. And yes, you don't need a degree for managing road projects or estimating. I realize that in a way, estimating is a waste of a degree.

If the only way of getting into a consulting firm is by bringing over clients, well, then I'm out of luck. I'd like to know someone who has made the transition from contracting to consulting.

 

[bimr]

I did not mean to imply that bringing in work was the only way to get into consulting. There are plenty of lower level staffing postions in consulting firms and these positions are not generally expected to bring in work.

However, if you want to succeed and get promoted in consulting, then yes you are expected to bring in the work.

 

[dhengr]

Dandoo:
Estimating isn’t a waste of your degree, as long as that isn’t all you do on piddly little projects. At the moment it is gainful employment. Tell them you want to learn all phases of the construction business, including project management, etc., and then really work at it. Your degree should stand you in good sted for such a position, because you have some feel for the engineering reqm’ts. of the work. And, understanding how things actually get built should make you a better designer when and if you go back. There is plenty of evidence that many design engineers don’t have the vaguest idea how things go together, and what can and can’t be practically built; and where they design difficulties into a project.

But, also remember, you may have trouble getting registered and qualifying for that testing if you haven’t worked directly under a Registered Engineer. However, this is an opportunity to get a bit of a taste of the other side of things, and maybe you’ll discover which area suits you best.

Good Luck

 

[Dandoo]

That's a good point. If I get into a construction company I have a good opportunity to learn about all sides of their business.

 

[ACtrafficengr]

As a county engineer, I +1 proposals for design consultants with construction experience. It gives me some reassurance that they won't design something that can't be built.

Maintenance experience would be even better, since we'll have to maintain what they design, but I don't see that very often.

 

[civilman72]

Some of the best and most practical engineers I've worked with have lots of on-site construction experience and many employers value that type of experience. And you will definitely have an upper hand on other new design engineers.