I'm so broke that it ain't funny.
Me and about a million (literally) other construction professionals are so broke that we can't even afford to hear a new cut off the Sugarland album from a local jukebox.
The previously mentioned song - "Baby Girl" was actually released in 2004 on Sugarland's debut album "Twice the Speed of Life". I can't believe she's been around that long.
And we certainly can't afford the live concert ticket prices that can get upwards of $100. Who does she think she is - Kenny Chesney?
Anyway, it's getting uglier and uglier and I really don't think there is anything we can do about it. However, I was at a networking event last week for the Design and Construction LinkedIn group and many of the architects and civil engineering firm representatives mentioned some slight uptick in the calls and requests for proposals coming in the door. There could be some hope left. Architecture and other design work will of course precede any uptick in construction.
This sentiment is shared by Jim Haughey, chief economist with Reed Construction Data in a recent market insights webcast. But he warns that it may be until 2011 until the construction industry sees a "good" year. Haughey is predicting no gain in construction spending in 2010 and an 8% gain in 2011. This is after an 11.4% decline in 2009.
So if things aren't going to improve until 2011 - what the &*%$ are we supposed to do until then? Buy a guitar and start cutting a country album? It works for Sugarland. (By the way, her name is actually Jennifer Nettles.)
Well, we could, and it would probably be fun for a while, but the reality is that it wouldn't work out and we would be left in the same situation we are now - No job, no nothin'.
If you are one of those that doesn't want to venture out on your own and start up a company and try to undercut and outperform the bastards that aren't hiring anybody, I suggest you enhance your skill set with training and certifications. The LEED professional accreditation is always a good one to get and if you can get certified, excuse me - accredited in LEED version 3 you could perhaps be of more value than a version 2 LEED AP.
Training in three dimensional CAD programs is another great place to go. If you can whip up drawings in Revit and at least understand the process of Building Information Modeling, you could be at a huge advantage in the marketplace.
Local community colleges are great places to look for courses on this kind of stuff. I once took a leadership class at a community college taught by a Harvard grad and retired CEO of several Fortune 500 companies.
So my suggestion, get training in the growing areas of the field and try to get hired before things start to improve in 2011. And if a year goes by and you still don't have anything? Well, you better tune up that acoustic guitar.
Me and about a million (literally) other construction professionals are so broke that we can't even afford to hear a new cut off the Sugarland album from a local jukebox.
The previously mentioned song - "Baby Girl" was actually released in 2004 on Sugarland's debut album "Twice the Speed of Life". I can't believe she's been around that long.
And we certainly can't afford the live concert ticket prices that can get upwards of $100. Who does she think she is - Kenny Chesney?
Anyway, it's getting uglier and uglier and I really don't think there is anything we can do about it. However, I was at a networking event last week for the Design and Construction LinkedIn group and many of the architects and civil engineering firm representatives mentioned some slight uptick in the calls and requests for proposals coming in the door. There could be some hope left. Architecture and other design work will of course precede any uptick in construction.
This sentiment is shared by Jim Haughey, chief economist with Reed Construction Data in a recent market insights webcast. But he warns that it may be until 2011 until the construction industry sees a "good" year. Haughey is predicting no gain in construction spending in 2010 and an 8% gain in 2011. This is after an 11.4% decline in 2009.
So if things aren't going to improve until 2011 - what the &*%$ are we supposed to do until then? Buy a guitar and start cutting a country album? It works for Sugarland. (By the way, her name is actually Jennifer Nettles.)
Well, we could, and it would probably be fun for a while, but the reality is that it wouldn't work out and we would be left in the same situation we are now - No job, no nothin'.
If you are one of those that doesn't want to venture out on your own and start up a company and try to undercut and outperform the bastards that aren't hiring anybody, I suggest you enhance your skill set with training and certifications. The LEED professional accreditation is always a good one to get and if you can get certified, excuse me - accredited in LEED version 3 you could perhaps be of more value than a version 2 LEED AP.
Training in three dimensional CAD programs is another great place to go. If you can whip up drawings in Revit and at least understand the process of Building Information Modeling, you could be at a huge advantage in the marketplace.
Local community colleges are great places to look for courses on this kind of stuff. I once took a leadership class at a community college taught by a Harvard grad and retired CEO of several Fortune 500 companies.
So my suggestion, get training in the growing areas of the field and try to get hired before things start to improve in 2011. And if a year goes by and you still don't have anything? Well, you better tune up that acoustic guitar.
Posts
I love your sense of humor in the midst of uncertainty...and Jennifer & Kristian are a great duo and example of making it in the face of great odds. That song in particular is one of my favorites simply because it is what we all want - to call home to mom and dad and say "I'm so rich that it ain't funny..." someday...:)
ReplyDeleteYour suggestions are good too - construction IS heading towards the green economy - why not get in at the ground floor??
Laurel Nicolosi
www.laurelsgreenplanet.info
Great suggestion. I just want to add that AIA has partnered with Autodesk to offer discounts to 'displaced workers' at their Authorized Training Centers. It is called the "Autodesk Assistance Program"
ReplyDeleteNot every ATC participates, and generally the discounts are only available for a regularly-scheduled course in which there is an empty seat. But the discounts are substantial--my local ATC is offering a 3-day Revit course for $99. The regular fee is $1,600.
The program is for any displaced worker and for any Autodesk software. You self-certify your 'job seeker' status and in addition to ATC discounts, you gain access to literally thousands of online courses and can download a trial version of software, good for up to a year.
Thanks for the tip NW. You won't tell us your name, but you definitely give us plenty of helpful info.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually going to check out the AIA ATCs. Do you know if there are any in the Philly area?
AIA billing index needs to get above 50 before you will see an improvement in commercial construction, and it will be 8 months after that increase before those projects hit the streets.
ReplyDeleteCM firms presumably (since they are involved earlier in the process) see an uptick first, but their projects tend more toward the type of client that is at the end of the business cycle, not the front.
The same AIA billing report that was down again, did mention that there was a large increase in inquiries. So your anecdotal experience was not a fluke.
Until the AIA billing index get above 50 (relative increase) there really cannot be any improvement in the commercial construction economy. And it will take 5 months to a year after that occurs before the improvements hit the street.
ReplyDeleteBut the last report (as you noted) did note an increase in inquires to Architects.
john- how has your "starting your own company and undercutting/outperforming the bastards who wont hire anyone" coming? I know you had been trying to bid some jobs on your own. Any luck yet? Interested to hear, in the same boat bud!
ReplyDeleteNot very much luck yet. I'm working hard on it but its getting frustrating. How are things going with you?
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of Autodesk Authorized Training Centers in the Philadelphia area but I don't see any that advertise the discounts on their website. That doesn't mean they don't offer it--a lot seem to be keeping it quiet. If they broadcast it on their website it might turn out to be a little too popular!
ReplyDeleteSynergis is advertising the $99 for any 3D modelling class but while they have a Philadelphia location, they don't seem to have classes scheduled there--only in York and Wilkes-Barre and Quakertown. Might be worth a call to find out if maybe there are classes scheduled that aren't posted online.
Oh, and one more bit of explanation. Participating in the Autodesk Assistance Program begins on Autodesk's website, where you answer a few simple questions about your unemployed status (you don't have to submit benefits stubs or anything like that). Then you gain access to the online videos and tutorials. Finding and signing up for the ATC classes happens on the ATC's website (but you'll probably need your 'Assistance Program' verification email to get the discount).
ReplyDelete