5 answers
aaron
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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what are good high school class to take that will help get me into construction?
I am a sophomore in high school and I am wondering what the best class I can take that will help me get into this career
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5 answers
Scott Fisher
Painter
9
Answers
Bloomington, Illinois
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Great Question!
Glad you are asking.
Any construction vocational classes, math and geometry (finding angles),drafting and reading blue prints . These are all things you can do in school or on your own! Watch YouTube about building stair treads or anything else you are interested in.
Find a reputable local contractor and ask them for advice or even a part time job. The more you can learn about all the all the facets of construction the better. Plumbing. Electrical. Concrete, tile installation, roofing, carpentry, drywall, painting , carpet laying the possibilities are almost endless. Talk to your school counselor also. People will be happy to help you if you are sincere and show up on time and are willing to learn.
Glad you are asking.
Any construction vocational classes, math and geometry (finding angles),drafting and reading blue prints . These are all things you can do in school or on your own! Watch YouTube about building stair treads or anything else you are interested in.
Find a reputable local contractor and ask them for advice or even a part time job. The more you can learn about all the all the facets of construction the better. Plumbing. Electrical. Concrete, tile installation, roofing, carpentry, drywall, painting , carpet laying the possibilities are almost endless. Talk to your school counselor also. People will be happy to help you if you are sincere and show up on time and are willing to learn.
Duane Foley
Draftsman/ Carpenter
11
Answers
Palmer, Alaska
Updated
Duane’s Answer
100% math first. Geometry is needed. Trigonometry is a huge benefit as well.
A drafting class might help you understand how to read a blueprint.
shop class can teach you basic tool skills.
Accounting and Computer classes can help you with your career growth later on. Many construction workers go on to be business owners and project managers. Accounting classes taken in high school can be a huge help when you make this transition. Basic computer knowledge, especially Excel, will give you a leg up as well.
CAD drafting class. My path was from Framing carpenter to architectural draftsman. CAD came in clutch!
Business management and Personal Finance classes are invaluable for personal finances or if you become an entrepreneur.
English and Grammar. Don't underrate being able to write and talk. sounding like a hillbilly is ok starting out but when you want people to take you seriously it's helpful to be able to structure an email. I struggle with this in my career path.
Think of life like a business. The best investment you can make is educating yourself and creating good habits. The biggest thing that will make you successful no matter what path you take is self-discipline. From my own experience, this is much easier to start when you're young.
Spanish There are many Spanish speaking people in construction in some areas they dominate the industry. Being able to communicate with them in their language can help build trust and respect with them. Employers often recognize this.
Good luck! and Enjoy!
A drafting class might help you understand how to read a blueprint.
shop class can teach you basic tool skills.
Accounting and Computer classes can help you with your career growth later on. Many construction workers go on to be business owners and project managers. Accounting classes taken in high school can be a huge help when you make this transition. Basic computer knowledge, especially Excel, will give you a leg up as well.
CAD drafting class. My path was from Framing carpenter to architectural draftsman. CAD came in clutch!
Business management and Personal Finance classes are invaluable for personal finances or if you become an entrepreneur.
English and Grammar. Don't underrate being able to write and talk. sounding like a hillbilly is ok starting out but when you want people to take you seriously it's helpful to be able to structure an email. I struggle with this in my career path.
Think of life like a business. The best investment you can make is educating yourself and creating good habits. The biggest thing that will make you successful no matter what path you take is self-discipline. From my own experience, this is much easier to start when you're young.
Spanish There are many Spanish speaking people in construction in some areas they dominate the industry. Being able to communicate with them in their language can help build trust and respect with them. Employers often recognize this.
Good luck! and Enjoy!
Kevin Ealain
Actor/Carpenter
5
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
The obvious answers are going to be shop classes, get comfortable safely using power tools. Math classes because well, you’re going to need to be good at math. Especially geometry.
The less obvious answers… art classes. Learn how to visualize things before they exist and how to craft things from different materials. Communication classes. Communication (or lack thereof) is the number one thing that causes problems on a job site. You need to know how to be an effective communicator if you aspire to leadership roles. Even as an apprentice starting out you’ll want to know how to ask the right questions.
Lastly, and I know this might sound weird but get involved in drama club/theatre if you have that. Why? Because it’ll help you become a more well rounded person. Clients today don’t want to do business with the roughnecks of yesterday. They want kind, honest, professionals. Also, you can get involved with helping building sets which is a great learning experience for basic carpentry.
The less obvious answers… art classes. Learn how to visualize things before they exist and how to craft things from different materials. Communication classes. Communication (or lack thereof) is the number one thing that causes problems on a job site. You need to know how to be an effective communicator if you aspire to leadership roles. Even as an apprentice starting out you’ll want to know how to ask the right questions.
Lastly, and I know this might sound weird but get involved in drama club/theatre if you have that. Why? Because it’ll help you become a more well rounded person. Clients today don’t want to do business with the roughnecks of yesterday. They want kind, honest, professionals. Also, you can get involved with helping building sets which is a great learning experience for basic carpentry.
Paul Foster
Carpenter Foreman
3
Answers
East Peoria, Illinois
Updated
Paul’s Answer
That is a great question!
I personally believe that math is crucial in keeping you a step ahead of others while you're working in the field or in an office. I am a Carpenter Foreman, and I think back daily of how I could have benefited now with just a little more effort on my part in School. My day consists of utilizing Math and English/Language Arts constantly with figuring material, ordering material, critical measurements, communicating with clients and management, and the list goes on. There are endless opportunities in the construction field now that were not when I began my career, so staying focused in school and learning as much as you possibly can right now, will definitely guide you down a better path in your future. Something you can check with your Guidance Counselor about would be a program that you may or may not know about is SkillsUSA. They will work with the school to bring in speakers from different industries to speak with everyone as well as contractors to tell you about the opportunities available. In my area the program works with the school and contractors to get you hired on to work in their shop or warehouse to learn about the equipment they use and materials while earn money. My son works for the contractor I work for, in the warehouse loading trailers for the foreman and unloading them when they bring them back starting his day in the morning at 6:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and then comes home to change before going to school, while others go to school in the morning and work in the afternoon. It's a great program and a perfect way to learn about the tools, equipment, and material we use daily so that if and when you decide to work construction in the field and you are asked to get something, you know on your first day what people are asking for, and that is a big hurdle for some people.
Good Luck!
Speak with your guidance counselor
Find out if they have SkillsUSA at your school, if not look it up and give them the information
Apply
I personally believe that math is crucial in keeping you a step ahead of others while you're working in the field or in an office. I am a Carpenter Foreman, and I think back daily of how I could have benefited now with just a little more effort on my part in School. My day consists of utilizing Math and English/Language Arts constantly with figuring material, ordering material, critical measurements, communicating with clients and management, and the list goes on. There are endless opportunities in the construction field now that were not when I began my career, so staying focused in school and learning as much as you possibly can right now, will definitely guide you down a better path in your future. Something you can check with your Guidance Counselor about would be a program that you may or may not know about is SkillsUSA. They will work with the school to bring in speakers from different industries to speak with everyone as well as contractors to tell you about the opportunities available. In my area the program works with the school and contractors to get you hired on to work in their shop or warehouse to learn about the equipment they use and materials while earn money. My son works for the contractor I work for, in the warehouse loading trailers for the foreman and unloading them when they bring them back starting his day in the morning at 6:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and then comes home to change before going to school, while others go to school in the morning and work in the afternoon. It's a great program and a perfect way to learn about the tools, equipment, and material we use daily so that if and when you decide to work construction in the field and you are asked to get something, you know on your first day what people are asking for, and that is a big hurdle for some people.
Good Luck!
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Robert Kohn
remodeling general contractor
46
Answers
Methuen, Massachusetts
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Aaron,
Math is very important in carpentry. Whether it is in using a tape measure and needing to add 2 lengths together, subtracting the thickness of a 2x4 for a stud length for a wall stud, dividing a wall length to find center or multiplying joist hangers for a total materials list. Also, any business classes such as accounting or even writing for proper professional letters (for a resume or to a customer) are important.
If your school offers drafting or what we used to call shop class are good. If your in a trade school then they usually have it set up for you. If your in a regular high school, don't be afraid to ask a teacher or guidance councilor for suggestions. They will be glad to help you with ideas as well.
I hope this helps!
Bob K.
Math is very important in carpentry. Whether it is in using a tape measure and needing to add 2 lengths together, subtracting the thickness of a 2x4 for a stud length for a wall stud, dividing a wall length to find center or multiplying joist hangers for a total materials list. Also, any business classes such as accounting or even writing for proper professional letters (for a resume or to a customer) are important.
If your school offers drafting or what we used to call shop class are good. If your in a trade school then they usually have it set up for you. If your in a regular high school, don't be afraid to ask a teacher or guidance councilor for suggestions. They will be glad to help you with ideas as well.
I hope this helps!
Bob K.