It’s Never Too Late to Start a Career in Construction

Real Minnesotans Who Joined the Industry as a Second Career

If you’ve been considering making a big career change but it feels impossible – don’t be so sure. Beginning a career in construction has never been so seamless or so rewarding.

Do you dread going into the office?

Do you feel you that you were meant to do more than work in a big box retail store?

Are you feeling you’re on a path to nowhere and need to “shake it up” with a new career where you can’t wait to get out of bed to go to?

According to a recent survey by NASDAQ, more than half of working Americans are considering a major job change in 2024. More than one-tenth (11.93%) of respondents planned to pursue an entirely new full-time job or career. There are many reasons why someone might decide to make this change, including seeking a different balance of in-person or remote work, wanting a career to align with one’s financial goals, or interest in learning something new.

In many cases, changing careers is easier said than done. Factors such as the financial or time commitment of returning to higher education and falling victim to the sunk cost fallacy can hinder Americans from making the change they want to see in their careers.

For professionals who feel excited at the possibility of entering a new career, but sheepish at the financial investment, here’s some great news: Entering a registered apprenticeship through a construction trade union often won’t cost you a thing. In fact, you’ll get paid a good salary to do it.

According to the Construction Careers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing the diversity of entrants into the construction trades, the average wages earned by an apprentice during the first four years of on-the-job training are $144K. This is compared to the $29K that students at a public college and the $133K that students at a private college will pay for four years of schooling in Minnesota.

But finances are just one part of overall career satisfaction. Are construction professionals happy with their jobs? Research seems to think so. A recent survey by Construction Dive concluded that a whopping 97% of craft workers in America like the work that they do most of the time.

If the numbers alone aren’t enough to convince you to make the change, here are two stories of real Minnesotans who left one profession to pursue the construction trades and loved it:

HGTV Inspires Former Teacher to Commit to Her Dreams Full Time

Just take it from Carley Carey, a third-year plumbing apprentice with Erik Nelson Plumbing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Carly Carey loves learning, which made teaching a natural career fit – one that she enjoyed for 11 years as a middle school English and Social Studies teacher.

But, when the pandemic hit in 2020, Carey optimistically began considering alternate career paths.

“I’ve always loved HGTV – ‘This Old House’ specifically, it’s probably how they investigate problems and at the end of the day they step back and see their work,” Carey said. “My boyfriend looked over at me one day and said, ‘You could do all of this, why not start learning about what jobs are out there.’”

Carey used the first months of the pandemic to research Minnesota’s trade unions and shops. Of all of her options, plumbing piqued her interest the most. A few years later, she is well into her apprenticeship and can’t imagine doing anything else.

“It’s easy to get down on yourself when you are in the midst of learning so much new information at once,” Carey said. “But I already know this career path will pay off – not just financially, but the skills I’ve learned in my first year alone – looking back I’m amazed at everything that’s second nature to me now, you would never know that a year ago I didn’t know the names of half of these tools.”

Toua Yang’s Journey to Purpose and Financial Freedom

Saint Paul, Minnesota resident Toua Yang began his career as a banker before deciding he had to start over.

“I got a desk job but, in the office, it was either slow or I was overwhelmed with work and ended up taking it home,” Yang said. “There was no excitement and no work-life balance.”

Yang has always been a charismatic person and a hard worker, and he knew he didn’t want to make the financial commitment to return to college. So, he decided to check out the construction trades.

Yang started his first day as an electrical apprentice unfamiliar with how to use a drill and with no previous experience working in construction. By the time he completed his first year of training, he knew this was the career he was made to pursue.

“I know so many people come from a place like me, where you feel lost and you might have an office job but it’s not fulfilling or you are overworked,” Yang said. “Walking into something new is challenging but that challenge is worth it, and it will teach you about who you are and what you really want out of life.”

“It’s easy to get down on yourself when you are in the midst of learning so much new information at once,” Carey said. “But I already know this career path will pay off – not just financially, but the skills I’ve learned in my first year alone – looking back I’m amazed at everything that’s second nature to me now, you would never know that a year ago I didn’t know the names of half of these tools.”

So, how does one start a career in construction?

First, visit the careers page on www.ConstructionCareers.org to research more than 30 construction trades in Minnesota and discover which trade might good fit for you. Then, use the careers page to navigate to the website of one of the local unions associated with your trade to learn how you can apply for an apprenticeship through that union. Your future is just a few clicks away.

Construction Careers Foundation: Start Your Future Today

For more stories similar to this one, visit the blog at www.ConstructionCareers.org. To learn more about apprenticeship through a construction union, click here.