Things People Who Work in Construction Wish You Knew
If this is part of your life story, please share your insights! What would you like the rest of us to learn? What should we know about people in this community? How would you like people to interact with you? Should people ask questions? What’s the best way for people to learn about this? Do you have any resources (books, movies, YT videos, etc) that will give us greater understanding and empathy and kindness toward people who experience the same things you do?
If you’re not on this journey, we welcome you to listen, learn, and ask respectful, good-faith questions! Open-ended questions are highly encouraged, as they give people the space to share their unique experiences in their own words. While this is a safe space to learn about things you’ve never experienced, please remember to be sensitive, and avoid sharing harmful stereotypes or debating someone's lived reality. If you have a question, ask it with empathy. If someone gently corrects you, please be open to learning. Let's have a gentle, fun, friendly conversation where we support one another, because it takes all sorts to make a world!
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I’m adding a taglist to start, but this post is open to absolutely everyone! <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 thanks for tagging me 💗
@jesusredeemedme2425
We are not as dumb as a bag of nails 🤪
I would hope not XD
@jesusredeemedme2425
I think that is one of the biggest misconceptions, people think construction workers have little to no education. Most of those jobs require quite a bit of knowledge. 😊🤗
Do a lot of people with higher degrees work in construction?
@jesusredeemedme2425
I would think it depends on sector. Some areas the person would need an engineering degree
Oh, and not to mention that some skilled workers can easily make $100k+ a year, electricians, plumber's to name a few
They definitely make more than me lol
@jesusredeemedme2425 Looking forward to this thread! <3
Why is asphalt called blacktop, if it’s not actually black?
Hello can you help me
What do you need help with? :)
@jesusredeemedme2425I’m responding here to follow this thread.
I’ve been in construction for over 50 years. I currently work as a Project Manager for a major structural steel fabricator, supporting large-scale projects across the U.S. and beyond—data centers, hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings. My role centers on fabrication, sequencing, coordination, and code compliance through every phase, where timelines are tight and delays can carry liquidated damages in the millions for missed performance or schedule.
Over that time, I’ve been part of tens of millions of tons of steel successfully fabricated and erected—shared only to give some context to the depth of experience behind my perspective.
Construction has always been part of my life. I come from a family of builders, and I’ve stayed in it—still working seven days a week now into my 70s.
I’m here to listen, learn where I can, and contribute when it’s helpful—not to shift attention toward myself, but to be part of the conversation in a meaningful way.
For me, despite being a sought-after project manager and fabricator, it’s also about what I don’t usually share. My skill is real, but it didn’t come from textbooks—it came from mistakes, hard lessons, and years of doing the work. I left high school early to pursue this path, and within my first year I found myself operating at a level comparable to advanced engineering students. My formal schooling never went beyond the 10th grade, but the field became my education—and in many ways, that has been my gift.
