NASDCTEc Fall Meeting Sponsor Highlight: Home Builders Institute

To show our appreciation to our Fall Meeting sponsors (Gold Level and up), we are sharing their news with you.

From C. Deanna Lewis, Director for Career & Certification Services
Home Builders Institute

Think Career . . . Think Construction!

Not so long ago I would ask students the age old question. . . “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Now I ask them . . . “How do you think you will make a living as an adult and what education/training do you need to get there?” Little is said to students about educational requirements needed to launch a career that will provide a comfortable living. Many conversations today get stuck on going or not going to college.

The Home Builders Institute (HBI) Career Services division has a vested interest in keeping our nation’s elementary, middle, high school and post-secondary students excited and knowledgeable about residential construction. With this in mind, I feel it is important for students to:

• Understand the dynamics of our industry to make informed career decisions
• Know the education and training needs of the employer
• Match their unique talents, skills, interests and personalities to discover the utmost in career satisfaction
• Become more aware of what it means to be marketable upon graduation

It’s never too early to talk to students about careers. First graders love it! If such conversations about our industry continue through high school, students will have enough information about construction to make an informed career decision. Following is a sample of “food for thought” for high school students thinking about the industry. Are these the questions you ask your students?

What are your unique talents?
Knowing your best traits is a start for mapping a path for your future career. Do you like crunching numbers, interacting with people, working outside, monitoring data, managing projects, determining precise calculations, scheduling, negotiating, etc.? The list is endless and opportunities of all kinds are found in the residential construction industry.

Do you have these traits?
• Ability to handle and resolve conflict and confrontation- Be Proactive!
• Ability to hold people accountable for results
• Systems oriented, organized, good follow-up, time management and people (communication and listening) skills and have the ability to manage change
• Analytical and strategic planner who is also a problem solver and decision maker
• Ability to handle a wide range of task and multiple priorities, while operating with a sense of urgency

Do you think you can handle:
• Providing accurate and on time data in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment
• Coordinating and processing data from multiple sources
• Researching, problem solving, and correcting errors, while staying current with high volume of requests

What is the job title(circle one)?
Scheduler
Starts Coordinator
Field Manager/Superintendent

(Answer: Starts Coordinator)

You can meet and visit with C. Deanna Lewis at the Fall Meeting. She invites attendees to visit HBI on the web at www.buildingcareers.org.

Ramona Schescke, Member Services Manager

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