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[Rosco]

Hi all

I've been working for architects practices for the last 4 years with the aim of becoming a proficient architectural technician. Its dawned on me recently that I'm never going to be excellent at detailing unless I get experience working on site. Ive just finished an HNC in construction and am now determined to find a job where I can see real buildings going up as opposed to on paper. Ive made a couple of enquiries into Assistant Design Manager vacancies and was wondering if anyone knows if there are any other roles in the industry that I should be looking out for? Have considered labouring as know that being close to site is the best thing for me at the moment. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Ross. 

[arabsteve]

Rossco,
I done exactly the thing you are talking about. when i left school i got an apprenticeship as an architectural technician. after 4 years i was pretty much bored of it and the money was crap too but i did have my hnc in construction. I went to university on the back of that and studied construction management for 2 years. came out and got a job as an assistant site manager, which as agood as a job it was, it wasnt for me. luckily through the same company i manged to land a job as a site/ civil engineer setting out all of the works on site like foundations, roads, drainage etc.
im still doing that job to this day, and funny enough i now rely on my  autoCad skills frequently for co-ordinates etc. the job splits office work with onsite work so you get the best of both worlds. the moneys alot better too and you learn every day.
    if you want my advice i would recommend trying to get into a construction company as a trainee site engineer, failing that you will be able to get into the 2nd year of a university course like civil engineering or construction management.
 i was 22 when i went to university, im 29 now and i still class changing careers as one of the best decisions i have made.

good luck