Significant Career Lesson From a Construction Inspector at RockSol Consulting Group
Aidan, an Engineer In Training 1, emphasizes the critical lesson of immediately addressing mistakes or issues, stating, "if you mess something up, you gotta tell somebody as soon as possible." This proactive approach, illustrated by a personal anecdote where early reporting saved significant costs, highlights the importance of accountability and preventing minor problems from escalating into larger, more costly issues in the construction field.
Construction, Problem-Solving, Communication, Responsibility, Project Management
Advizer Information
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Job Title
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Grad Programs
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Aidan McCoy
Engineer In Training 1 (Construction Inspector)
RockSol Consulting Group
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
n/a
Engineering - Civil
Architecture, Construction & Design
Real Estate
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Proactive communication is crucial in construction; address issues immediately to prevent compounding problems.
2. Taking ownership of mistakes is essential; admitting errors and seeking solutions early is better than concealing them.
3. Construction projects are sequential; correcting early errors is more efficient and cost-effective than addressing them later.
Transcript
What is one lesson you've learned that has proven significant in your career?
The biggest thing is if you mess something up, you have to tell someone as soon as possible. Don't try to hide it; it will only make it worse.
This is especially true in construction, as it's a step-by-step process. If you notice something is wrong but don't say anything, and then you're 10 steps down the line, you can't go back and fix it.
That reflects poorly on you because it's your job to be aware and inform others. If you don't, it won't look good. It's much better to own up to your mistakes, even if they are your fault, and get them fixed immediately.
This is infinitely better than letting the same mistake compound over time. That's how a lot of people get upset about certain situations.
I had one instance on my very first project where I didn't notice something was wrong on the first day. As soon as I did notice it, I brought it up. This ended up saving a lot of money. If I had just ignored it, it would have been discovered later and been a much bigger problem.
So, basically, just own your mistakes. This is applicable to many industries.
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