When I think of real estate, I only thought about real
estate sales people and nothing more. As I started learning more about this
particular subject, I realized that there are more job opportunities in the
real estate business. Moreover, there are various careers that help grow and
expand real estate. Construction managers are important in the real estate
since they built houses and buildings in order for humans to occupy or own
them. They are essential since they are the ones who put in the labor work and
get their hands dirty in order to provide people somewhere to live, rent, and
occupy. I had the pleasure interviewing Cesar Oropeza, he is a construction
manager. He is knowledgeable and experienced in starting and running his own
business. We met at a coffee shop, shook him hand, sat down and started the
interview.
1) How did you get started in this field? What was your educational background? What are your major responsibilities?
After I graduated High School, I really didn’t have anything
set. Years passed and I finally decided to join the construction apprentice
program called OICW in Menlo Park, California My major responsibilities
include, building proposals, blue prints, and estimating cost. In addition, I
have to make sure it is done properly by providing materials on site,
employees, pay roll paid, taxes paid, worker’s compensation and etc...
2) What is the most rewarding aspect of your job, least rewarding? What might you change? Would you choose this career again?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is looking back at what
I built, and satisfying their needs. It makes me feel content that I
accomplished my client’s project and seeing his happy is the best feeling,
since it assures me that I did my job the right way. My least rewarding aspect
of my job is wasting the client’s time by not doing the project the first time.
It is not professional seeing your customer unsatisfied since he paid a professional
to do the work the correct way. I would
certainly choose this career again, since I like working outside and creating
new projects.
3) What is a “typical” day like for you?
A typical day for me consists of waking up at 4:30 a.m. and
be at the job site no later than 5:45 a.m. I perform my labor work for the next
8 or 10 hours, depending at what time the project needs to be done, if clients
have a time constraint. After my labor hours, I document everything that was
done that day. In addition, I file daily reports, and focus on providing more
materials that needs to be done on the next job site. I also make time for my
family, since they are my motivators in life.
4) What are some lifestyle considerations for this career?
Some lifestyle considerations for this career, is to always
stay active, eat healthy and always stay on top of readings such as new laws on
construction. Moreover, building relationships contacts in order to gain new
job projects.
5) What are some common entry-level positions in the field?
Apprentice
6) What kind of salary range and benefits are typical of an
entry-level position in this field?
It depends who you are hired by. Many companies offer
different salary rates. For example with no benefits you may be getting a salary
of $12 an hour. On the other hand if you are a union apprentice that has full
benefits your salary can go up to $19.75.
7) What kind of an individual (skills and personality) is
best suited for these entry-level positions?
Must be able to work in different weather conditions,
hard-worker, be on time and not leave early. Moreover you must be a team player
in order to complete a project.
8) What have you found to be a major weakness of new hires
in this field?
A couple of major weaknesses of new hires in this field are
finding employees who possess qualities or responsibilities needed for the job.
In addition, not being a citizen of the United States.
9) Which professional journals and organizations would be
most helpful in evaluating the field?
The California State license Board of Contractors.
In conclusion, this information interview was very
beneficial to me. I learned that there are other job opportunities in the real
estate business. I am glad that I got the pleasure to interview Cesar Oropeza,
and sit down with him in a coffee shop in order to learn more about his
profession. At the end of the interview I shook his hand, and thanked him for
taking his time to come out and answer a few questions about his job.
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