Favorite Parts of Working in the Construction Industry as a Construction Project Manager
Sebastian, a Construction Project Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of the industry is "seeing the fruits of our labor," initially drawn to the technical details but evolving to a focus on teamwork and mentorship. This career progression highlights a shift from the "nuts and bolts" to managing "personalities and behaviors," ultimately finding satisfaction in contributing to a team's success and fostering the growth of others.
Project Management, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sebastian Potes
Construction Project Manager
Los Angeles World Airports
USC
MBA UCLA Anderson
Engineering - Civil
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. The tangible results of the work are very rewarding. You can physically see the impact of your efforts, such as driving by a building you helped construct.
2. The job offers a blend of technical skills and people skills. It starts with an interest in the technical aspects of design and construction but evolves into managing people and personalities.
3. The career path involves continuous learning and growth. Sebastian's experience shows how interests and priorities can change and develop over time within the same field.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
What I enjoy the most is being able to see the work that you've done in person, in real life. The results, especially in engineering and construction management, are very tangible. You can drive by the freeway and show your kids, "Hey, you see that building right there? I was a part of that. I helped build that." For me, that's what I enjoyed the most about my industry: seeing the fruits of our labor.
When I first started college, I thought the nuts and bolts of designing a project, taking the plans, and actually building it in real life and walking the job was fascinating. Those really technical aspects drove me when I first started.
As I gained experience, my focus transformed more into people. They became what made me happy at work. I enjoyed talking to the construction workers, learning about their lives outside of work, and learning how to manage and work with people.
It wasn't an overnight change from liking the nuts and bolts of construction to loving managing people. It was a slow transition that I didn't even realize until years into my career. I look back and realize what I find interesting has changed a little.
Now, what is really interesting to me is managing personalities and behaviors. Working as a team, coming up with a solution, and being a part of that—being able to contribute—is what drives and motivates me. Knowing I had an impact and maybe even helped to teach someone is rewarding. It's all about helping the next person come up.
I think it's changed over time and may keep changing as I continue in my career. That's what I enjoy the most right now.