Architecture and Construction:
The group of careers encompassing construction and architecture is a rapidly advancing field of study. Professionals in the architecture and construction fields develop and plan structural components, infrastructure, transportation systems. Additionally, to design work, this field of study encompasses repairs and restorations of existing structures, be they buildings, highways, bridges, or other man-made objects.
Architecture and construction careers include a full spectrum of jobs in design, engineering, physical labor, planning, management, and drafting. Jobs in design include architects, structural engineers, and infrastructure design planners. Jobs in structural building and repair include mechanical and infrastructure engineers, draftsmen, and construction laborers.
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
They Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Brick masons and Block masons
They Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
Carpenters
They Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding drywall and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
Carpet Installers
They lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
They Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Civil Engineering Technicians
They Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists. Most have a vocational certificate also.
Civil Engineers
They Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
Construction and Building Inspectors
They Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
Construction Carpenters
They Construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools.
Construction Laborers
They Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers as well.
Construction Managers
They Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
They Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.
Cost Estimators
They Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Crane and Tower Operators
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Dredge Operators
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
They Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rock board lath to walls, ceilings or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
They Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. They may use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
They Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
They Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. They may also erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
Electricians
They Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
Elevator Installers and Repairers
They Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
They Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.
Fence Erectors
They Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
They Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
Floor Sanders and Finishers
They Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
Geothermal Technicians
They Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources. Monitor and control operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities and perform maintenance and repairs as necessary. They also install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps.
Glaziers
They Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
They Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or confined entry permit are generally required. May also earth moving equipment or trucks.
Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers
They Install, service, or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences or commercial establishments. Most have a vocational certificate also.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
They Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
They Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers–Carpenters
They Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers—Electricians
They Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers–Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
They Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.
Helpers–Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
They Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers–Pipe layers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
They Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipe layers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers–Roofers
They Help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Highway Maintenance Workers
They Maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Duties include patching broken or eroded pavement, repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. May also mow or clear brush from along road or (plow snow from roadway)
Hoist and Winch Operators
They Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Home Appliance Repairers
They Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
They Line and cover structures with insulating materials. They may also work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
They Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Interior Designers
They plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving lifestyle. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Landscape Architects
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Landscaping and Grounds keeping Workers
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, racking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortar less segmental concrete masonry wall units.
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
They move or install mobile homes or prefabricated buildings.
Mechanical Door Repairers
They install, service, or repair automatic door mechanisms and hydraulic doors. Includes garage door mechanics.
Mechanical Drafters
They prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
They Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May also repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
They paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
Paperhangers
They cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
They Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways, or equipment used for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
Pile-Driver Operators
They operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures, such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters
They layout, assemble, install, or maintain pipe systems, pipe supports, or related hydraulic or pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, sprinkling, or industrial production or processing…
Pipe layers
They Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
They Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
Plumbers
They assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
They Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brick masons
They Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits and ovens, using refractory materials.
Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
They Install and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems.
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. They use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
Riggers
They set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry
Roofers
They Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Rough Carpenters
They Build rough wooden structures, such as concrete forms, scaffolds, tunnel, bridge, or sewer supports, billboard signs, and temporary frame shelters, according to sketches, blueprints, or oral instructions.
Segmental Pavers
They lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
They clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
Sheet Metal Workers
They fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating…
Solar Energy Installation Managers
They Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
They install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
They operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
Stonemasons
They build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
They raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
They fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Surveyors
They make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth’s surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
Tapers
They seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboards to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
They apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Tile and Marble Setters
They apply hard tile, marble, and wood tile to walls, floors, ceilings, and roof decks.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREERS/ JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Weatherization Installers and Technicians
They Perform a variety of activities to weatherize homes and make them more energy efficient. Duties include repairing windows, insulating ducts, and performing heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) work. It’s the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. May also perform energy audits and advise clients on energy conservation measures.
The recent recession took a toll on the architectural and construction fields. One of the primary results of the recession was a severe decrease in new housing starts. This caused a severe downturn in construction employment, including the resultant drop in business for architects. Additionally, government infrastructure projects suffered from lack of funding, although stimulus provided some government-related projects funding. The field in general, however, should rebound, as it depends on the natural increase of population, housing, and infrastructure.
The field of construction and architecture is as varied as any profession. The required education for most design-level professions includes advanced work in math, geometry, and physics, as well as specific courses in architecture and planning. In addition to the educational requirements needed for a career in architecture or advanced construction design and/or management, there are often required professional certifications and/or apprenticeships.
