Innovative Career Paths in the Construction Industry: Beyond the Traditional Roles
Shawn Bradley 
The construction industry is a vast field with many roles. However, when most people picture the construction industry, they only picture hard hats and loud construction sites. While construction workers are the backbone of the construction industry, they aren’t the only essential roles. Construction requires planning, finances, designing, modeling, building, inspecting, and many more factors. There are numerous career options if you’re passionate about the construction industry but are interested in alternative or innovative paths beyond the traditional. For instance, the South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Welding Program offers specialized training in combination welding, a skill essential to many construction projects and infrastructure development.
Construction Technologist
Technology has rapidly changed many industries, and construction is no exception. For those passionate about technology and construction, a construction technologist neatly combines the two fields. This role involves using technology to enhance the construction process and the efficiency of building projects. They utilize field project management software to manage on-site teams, improve building efficiency, and oversee project databases and construction drawings. For career success, they must stay up to date with both the construction industry and the latest technology.
Urban Designer
Ever wonder who decides what city sidewalks, parks, and benches look like? An urban designer is responsible for planning and designing urban spaces, keeping practicality, efficiency, and aesthetics in mind. They typically work with the community, developers, architects, traffic engineers, and other professionals to design the perfect urban setting. Education in construction and community sustainability is a must for this role.
Virtual Design and Construction
Construction software and architectural design programs are more advanced than ever. As the name implies, a career in virtual design and construction (VDC) involves creating digital building concepts, blueprints, models, and work processes to aid in real-world construction projects. A VDC specialist or technician helps construction teams better visualize a construction project, including its economic impact, safety risks, and building process.
Material Tester
If you’re passionate about ensuring construction projects are safe and above board but aren’t afraid to get physical, a material tester may be your perfect and unique role.
Once again, the title makes the job tasks obvious, but a material tester is responsible for testing the integrity of structural materials used in construction. The role involves chemical, biological deterioration. mechanical, and temperature testing. You can play a role in ensuring construction projects are safer and structurally sound!
Risk Manager
Risk managers will assess any threats to a construction project or its legal, environmental, or financial processes. They will also evaluate risks to specific construction teams or companies during a project. They typically work alongside legal teams, human resources departments, safety teams, and project managers. Construction sites can be dangerous and create environmental or legal concerns. Risk managers establish these risks before the project even breaks ground.
Supervisor
Construction supervisors aren’t as unique as other roles but are essential and involve more responsibility than physical construction work. A supervisor manages construction work on site and ensures the team’s safety. They can assign specific roles in a team, resolve conflicts, and prevent accidents. As a bonus, many contractors can become construction supervisors with just some extra training and licensing, depending on location. Education and exam prep programs like RocketCert can easily prepare you for supervisor roles.
Code Inspector
Building and structure codes are vital in keeping construction projects safe and efficient. A code inspector ensures that a project, building, or structure meets all local codes from city to county to state, including zoning ordinances.
They also provide insight on ensuring a building is built to code. Similar to other construction roles, familiarizing yourself with local codes and laws requires a lot of training and preparation.
Construction Photographer
Many people don’t consider photography within the construction industry, particularly when smartphones have excellent camera capabilities. However, a skilled construction photographer provides well-shot, framed, and focused photos of a construction project’s process from start to finish. These photos are evidence of construction progress and may also be necessary for records, marketing, and legal purposes. Photographers typically travel from construction site to construction site and can be self-employed or work for a specific construction company.
Digital Marketer
Construction companies need to advertise just like any other company. Digital marketing in construction involves marketing analytics, budgeting, social media management, and lead generation. A digital marketing specialist in the construction industry should ideally have formal training in marketing and expertise in construction processes. Marketers won’t see the construction field but can expand on the construction world by promoting businesses.
Conclusion
The construction industry comprises many parts, and you don’t have to contribute solely by becoming a construction worker. The sector includes many trade jobs, tech jobs, and even skilled artists such as photographers or marketing writers. Technology plays a considerable role in innovative career paths in the construction industry. Be sure you can bring formal training to any role you may be interested in.
