Careers in Construction Month is a nationwide campaign held every October which aims to increase public awareness of construction careers, inspire the next generation of craft professionals, and make an impact on the perceptions of a career in construction. In honor of this year’s Careers in Construction Month, a few of our employees shared insight on their roles within the construction industry, advice, and more.
Matt DeBasio, Project Estimator
What is your role at P. Agnes? Within this role, what are you responsible for?
I have a couple primary roles at P. Agnes – estimating, preconstruction, and construction technology/information systems. In estimating, I am responsible for preparing cost proposals and schedules for building projects; basically, planning construction before it begins and figuring out how much the projects will cost, how long they will take, and how to build them. As construction technologist, I seek out new and innovative technologies and ways to implement them directly on building projects and across the company as a whole.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
Mainly, because building stuff is awesome! Also, because I believe that the things we build will make a difference in the world – healthcare facilities, and places for higher education. I also think that our industry has a great opportunity to push forward with advancements in technology, and I love figuring out where tech trends are headed, and how it all fits together.
What has been your favorite project, or other task, that you’ve worked on at P. Agnes?
The projects I’m most proud of having worked on would be the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House or Riddle Hospital – I hope that those two projects in particular have had a positive impact on the patients and families that choose those facilities for treatment. I’m also excited by the in-house drone program that our team has grown from the bottom up. Our team has done a great job applying drone technology to various projects in different ways, and getting tons of value for our teams and our clients.
What do you find the most rewarding about working in the construction industry?
Personally, I feel that working in construction is really rewarding because I’m always learning something new! You can never really know everything, and each project presents new challenges to solve. That, and the fact that it takes a large number of people working together in order to accomplish the building of complex projects- it feels like I’m part of a big family.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in construction?
I would say that the reality of a career in construction can be very different from perceptions – but in a good way! There are so many areas that a skilled individual can be a superstar. Whether you are good with numbers, a natural problem solver, or a computer whiz at heart, there are countless roles within the construction industry where various skillsets and personalities can thrive.
I would encourage those considering a career in construction to think outside the box, to find their niche in the industry, and know that they can make a huge impact just by doing what they do best.
What is your role at P. Agnes? Within this role, what are you responsible for?
I am the Systems Manager. I am responsible for all of the IT operations at P. Agnes. This includes managing our network, administering software installations and updates, troubleshooting issues, implementing new technology, and handling and distributing equipment such as desktops, laptops, and IPads.
Another major component of my role is cybersecurity. No industry is immune cybersecurity threats, and the construction industry is no exception. I ensure P. Agnes remains protected from any potential cyber threats. I also help educate employees on cyber safety by providing various trainings throughout the year.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
I actually didn’t choose construction, it chose me. I had a job opportunity within the industry, and my career evolved from there. Over the years, I have worked in various departments within the construction industry, but I always seem to find myself in a technology role.
What has been your favorite project, or other task, that you’ve worked on at P. Agnes?
We migrated our email system from an “in-office” server to a cloud server. There was a lot of coordination and scheduling to make it as painless as possible for the end users.
What do you find the most rewarding about working in the construction industry?
I find the construction industry to be a very small community. I am constantly reconnecting or running into people from past experiences. It is great to be able to build those connections, and there are plenty of opportunities within the industry to be able to do so.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in construction?
My advice would be to work in the field for a period of time. It is the greatest learning experience you can receive.
Ady Tibrewal, Assistant Project Manager
What is your role at P. Agnes? Within this role, what are you responsible for?
At P. Agnes, I serve as an Assistant Project Manager where I’m responsible for any and every task that supports Project Managers or Superintendents towards the successful completion of the project at hand. Through my experience working within this role, I find that the tasks and responsibilities are much more diverse than other roles within the company. My involvement ranges from documentation management and collection related to closeout, hyperlinking, RFIs, submittals, and updated drawings to site inspections, punch lists, and communications with subcontractors, clients, third party entities, inspectors, and more.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
After transitioning from design engineering into construction, I noticed that problem solving is more proactive in nature, and that this role enables me to be involved in a more diverse set of responsibilities. nature along with a more diverse set of responsibilities. This role allows me to utilize not only my knowledge in design but also exercise and hone skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management. Soon after my career transition, I realized that this multi-faceted industry was where I belonged all along.
What has been your favorite project, or other task, that you’ve worked on at P. Agnes?
In my short yet all-encompassing time at P. Agnes working at our Riddle Hospital project site, my favorite tasks are ones that involve working alongside my seasoned colleagues. I’m able to shadow my colleagues as they conduct a task, and then I’m given the opportunity to perform the task myself where I have the freedom to modify how a task is done, as long as I am able to reach the what that needed to be done.
For example, the closeout process is pretty standard when it comes to any project, however, I was given the opportunity to spearhead the organization and collection of all the required documents. With the guidance and supervision of my superiors, as well as my knowledge to make the process more efficient using technology, we are able to be proactive and efficient about the whole closeout process.
What do you find the most rewarding about working in the construction industry?
I think the most rewarding aspect of the construction industry, apart from the comradery, contribution and constant innovation would have to the end product. Just like any artist, I feel very fulfilled and proud of the piece of art we produce as a team on the world’s biggest canvas.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in construction?
For someone trying to consider a career in the construction industry, I advise dipping your finger in all the pies. Just like other complex mechanisms, construction involves numerous different gears and cogs coming together to solve small and big scale problems perpetually, therefore, finding your place is essential. Putting yourself in a fertile position and being a sponge in the most open-minded way possible will allow you to not only learn but thrive in this industry.
Stephen Baab, Safety Manager
What is your role at P. Agnes? Within this role, what are you responsible for?
My role at P. Agnes is Safety Manager and I am responsible for maintaining safety compliance on our project sites. This includes federal, state, and local guidelines, OSHA construction industry regulations and standards within 29 CFR 1926, and ensuring all personnel on the project adhere to the policies and procedures set forth in the project safety manual.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
I choose a career in construction not only because it seemed like an exciting work environment but because it is a strong industry with tons of opportunity to be a part of something new each and every day.
What has been your favorite project, or other task, that you’ve worked on at P. Agnes?
My favorite project that I’ve worked on at P. Agnes is the Riddle Hospital Master Plan. From expansive site work, to ground up construction, demolition and interior renovations, this project checks off all of the boxes. The dynamic of all of these projects simultaneously happening at the same time while still continuing to push forward steadily is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all individuals of the project team. There is never a dull moment at Riddle.
What do you find the most rewarding about working in the construction industry?
What I find most rewarding about working in the construction industry is the amount of knowledge I’ve gained from being on jobsites. Whether it is how a new tool or a piece of equipment works, how a building comes together, or advice shared from a skilled craft worker, there are learning opportunities behind every corner on a construction site.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in construction?
Try it out, what’s the worst that could happen? There are many different avenues you can explore and there is a career for just about anyone, no matter what your background is.
If you’re interested in starting a career in construction, or looking for a new role within the industry, check out our careers page by clicking the button below.