October is Careers in Construction Month. There’s no one better to highlight the range of jobs in construction and the growth opportunities than our own employees!
Today, our employees are among the 10 million people who work in the construction industry in the U.S. Though construction was hit hard by the pandemic, the industry is once again on a growth trajectory, expected to grow at a robust rate of 4.8% annually for the next decade – offering huge career opportunities in building and construction for a new generation.
Here, in their own words, a few HBW folks dish about getting into construction, their journey to HBW, the best parts of the job, and even advice they wish they had earlier in their careers.
This is no ordinary daily grind: Jobs in the construction industry
There are thousands of types of jobs in the construction industry. It takes a true team of professionals to meet the high expectations of clients in the Washington region. At HBW Construction, our team includes a broad range of construction expertise in Budgets & Estimating, Scheduling, Project Management, Job Site Management, Quality Control, and Services complemented by hundreds of talented subcontractors and quality suppliers.
“In my job, I review construction drawings, prepare scopes of work, and put together competitive bids. I came to HBW with no commercial experience, and they took a chance on hiring me in an estimator position. Seven years later, I’m so thankful to work alongside great teammates.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
“I organize and oversee daily work at the construction site while making sure everyone is safe and on schedule.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“My job is to support both project management and field staff in completing projects. I love helping others succeed.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“My job is to bring our client’s vision to life – from the preconstruction process all the way through substantial completion and occupancy. Of course, it involves problem-solving, budgeting, schedule-keeping, and so much more. But when you boil it down the goal is to get everyone over the finish line to a beautiful new space.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“I develop and train HBW’s field supervisors, which includes strategic planning around field operations, safety, and quality control. I love how each day brings a new challenge, which I try to see as another step forward in my development.”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
Look what we did! Best part of the job
Construction is a dynamic industry that brings new challenges every day. With so many builds in our 54-year history, it can be difficult to choose a favorite project.
“The best part of the job is turning over a new, beautiful space to a happy and excited client.
Oak Wine & Barrel in Montgomery County was my favorite project so far because it required knowledge of many types of construction, from basic bar and refrigeration to retail and interior fit-out. It demanded very close attention to detail which resulted in some of the most gorgeous finishes I have ever worked with.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“My favorite part of my job is undoubtedly the people. I am lucky enough to be able to make connections all throughout the DMV because of the work we do. I’ve made connections with architects, clients, inspectors, engineers, subcontractors, brokers… the list goes on. Being exposed to many different thought processes and problem-solving methods has taught me so much throughout the years.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“It would be impossible to choose a favorite project, but I love seeing photos and videos of a completed project that I worked on; the transformation from a set of plans to a working space is incredible.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
The path to construction
There are literally hundreds of construction career paths. Some start with apprenticeships, college, or a jump from an adjacent industry. Many HBW employees had no idea they would end up working in construction (and loving it!), but others were drawn to it from the beginning.
“Construction wasn’t the plan but my work in the industry gave me a new drive to learn and an outlet for my creativity and other skills. After 16 years in construction, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“I was a Political Science major, and I graduated during the 2016 election, making it tough to find work. I eventually ended up as the Office Manager for a family friend’s construction company and absolutely fell in love. No day was the same, and I finally got to use things I had learned from binge-watching HGTV. I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other industry at this point.
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“I’ve been interested in construction since I wired up and powered my first light switch!”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
“I started working in construction at the age of 18. I joined HBW as a Foreman and a year later was promoted to Superintendent. I hustled to get the most challenging and complex projects and was promoted to Project Engineer then Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Project Executive. Now I’m a Vice President.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“Growing up, I was always building things, and in my senior year of high school, I decided to study Civil Engineering. The rest is history.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
The real deal on HBW
A career in construction is about developing specific skills but also the ability to work with others and meet the needs of clients. HBW focuses on relationships, integrity, and initiative. Our team shares core values that have defined our culture.
“I was attracted to HBW’s eagerness to hire a female superintendent. I am still so impressed with the volume of talented females in construction here.”
– Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
“HBW supported my growth by allowing me to showcase my processes – even turning them into company standards. They listened to my goals and gave me the opportunity to work on bids while I was still in the field. That access allowed me to understand what was required to work in the office. At every point, HBW had faith in my abilities and gave me the opportunity to run large projects with major clients. This allowed me to once more show my ability to handle large accounts.”
– Andre Chin Wing, VP, Principal
“I liked what I saw in HBW, including the number of women in the office and the philanthropy we do around the area. Construction can be a hard and cold environment, and I knew I needed the opposite of that to work well.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
Advice for the next generation
With so much growth potential in the construction industry, it is important to attract new talent and encourage the next generation. Our employees offer advice they wish they had known earlier in their careers.
“I would tell my younger self to keep your head down and work hard. Everything will work itself out in the end. Also, don’t take it personally when companies you apply to just out of college don’t even respond.”
– Lindsey Barnhart, Project Manager
“Start investing as soon as you can.”
– Angel Colons, VP of Estimating
“Stay grounded and humble no matter the situation and to be confident in your abilities. I like a quote I heard once that says, “Construction is simple. We make it hard.”
– Rande Naylor, Team Leader, Trainer
To learn more about careers in construction and join the HBW team, check out our opportunities at https://hbwconstruction.com/careers/.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been an increase in women joining the construction industry in both field and office roles since 2016. As of August 2022, 14 percent of construction workers nationwide were women. In fact, The Washington Post reported that the highest…
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