The amount of workload is gradually escalating. Unlike the staring-blankly-at-the-wall moments for the majority of the day during Day 1 and Day 2, Day 3 has been quite more productive. As the job progresses, I've had a few realizations and thoughts about the Civil Engineering world:
1. Construction management is not a field for those who are academically-inclined. It focuses more on the real-world scenario of handling events and services. So, if at this point, you're the type who wants to engage in design computations you've learned from the university, this field is not recommended for you. You should work in consultancy/engineering firms instead. If, however, you are the leader type who has great public relations prowess, then you will most likely enjoy in this department.
2. Civil engineering is not just about computations. In the beginning, especially if you prefer to work in the office rather than the site, it all boils down to clerical work-- which only CE graduates are qualified to do. This seemingly mundane assignments prepare us in handling bigger tasks and management duties:
A. Checking purchase requests (PR) prepared and submitted by the staff in the site.
-All purchase requisition sheets should have the necessary attachments, like plans and detailed estimates that indicate the materials and services needed.
B. Verifying items listed in the PR. All items should be exactly the same as those included in the contract/'breakdown of proposal' submitted by the contractor.
-If there are variations in quantities, site engineers, specifically the project manager, should submit a document clarifying why the changes were made.
C. Calling. Calling. Calling.
-As a project coordinator you will act as the liaison between different departments. For instance, you have to coordinate with the procurement department regarding the services and materials needed in the site: When will this supplier deliver the materials? When will this contractor start working in the site?
This information will then be noted and forwarded to the project manager. When the promised date of services or materials delivery arrives, you have to verify from the project manager if they were indeed delivered. You will then forward these updates to the procurement department.
3. Working in the project management department gives you a great bird's eye view of the construction industry: a.) how it works and operates, b.) how the chain of command is well-established, c.) how everything should be supported by an official document, d.) how every single detail is very important and that any minor variation is subject to verification and that nothing should be missed out.
Right now, I believe I'm still at the experimental phase of my career wherein I just want to try working at different departments/fields and see where I really belong.
I must say that the first few days at work are quite fulfilling and interesting knowing that I learn new things every day. Even more fulfilling is understanding the system and the paradigm that governs the construction industry.
We, CE graduates, have a vast and promising vista ahead of us. Opportunities we can grab seem to be limitless. We can enter the academe and become brilliant professors, work in engineering firms and become impeccable consultants, or engage in the field and become the most respectable project managers. And there's so much more in store for us.
Whatever field we choose to traverse, we must remember that each field is a door to infinite possibilities. And each possibility offers a different set of experiences. At the end of the day, it will be worth all the sweat and blood and tears.
