dan_almond
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Registered: 27th Sep 05
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
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Anyone on here in the construction industry (ie building/land/quantity surveying etc) without a degree. I just wonder if its difficult to enter the industry without a degree?
Cheers
Dan
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corsa - gus
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Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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Quantity surveyor mate and i don't have a degree yet, im studying part-time ( a day and a half a week) at uni to get it though. if you show a willingness to get a qualification on day release from your work you will get a QS job no problem. There is a real shortage of them so the money is very good just now aswell.
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dan_almond
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Registered: 27th Sep 05
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
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Well im at uni at the moment, but dont feel the whoel 'uni' thing is for me? So, as your saying, i might as well get the degree whilst im here?
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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I was taken up as an trainee/junior in a design office and Building Surveying firm. Been there since I was 16.
I'm now 20 and slowly working my way though a number of courses prior to starting a degree next year. Will be fully qualified by around 25, but will have been earning a good wage for nearly 10 years, and I'm not tied to the company either so don't feel trapped.
You just want to beware that some companys might want to tie you down/take the cost of training back from you if you decide to leave.
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Bram
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Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Derby
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I'm a QS for Tarmac, going back to uni in October to do my second degree in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying 
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Jules S
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 03
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Goddamit, another construction degree related thread that i feel myself compelled to reply to...
IMO a degree in ANY construction management career is a waste of time....I've not met a single graduate (after 20 years in the industry) that knows 'what is what'
You simply can't teach what goes on on site, you have to experience it all. I've seen too many graduate QS's fall over/make mistakes, simply because they dont understand the construction process.
If I were you, i would finish what ever stage you are at then get on site or in an office doing some 'real' work. 90% of the stuff you learn at uni will be worth fcuk all when working in the real world anyway.
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Bram
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Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Derby
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quote:
Originally posted by Jules S
Goddamit, another construction degree related thread that i feel myself compelled to reply to...
IMO a degree in ANY construction management career is a waste of time....I've not met a single graduate (after 20 years in the industry) that knows 'what is what'
You simply can't teach what goes on on site, you have to experience it all. I've seen too many graduate QS's fall over/make mistakes, simply because they dont understand the construction process.
If I were you, i would finish what ever stage you are at then get on site or in an office doing some 'real' work. 90% of the stuff you learn at uni will be worth fcuk all when working in the real world anyway.
Hence.....http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=426363&pid=5613877#pid5613877
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Matt_b
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Registered: 13th Jul 07
Location: Leeds
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The company I work for employ mainly school leavers or people that have passed there HNC in something relative. But thats just one company I'm sure many companies will employ you but you would be on a shit wage assuming you don't have any qualifications that are to do with what you want to do, but that just part of what being a trainee / junior is about.
Also if you do find a job you would have to be prepared to go back to college to do the basics in whatever field you pick, bearing in mind its like starting school all over again and some companies won't send you to college until you have been at the company a while to show your "committed"
Going in with no experience is a good way to learn I think and is better for your long term career to work your way up gain all the required skills / experience along the way. Many full time graduates start but don’t really know or have experience for the specifics of doing the day to day job. However starting from the bottom is not the easiest be prepared to do lots of photocopying and errand running before you can really get into it.
Sorry for the essay btw just my 2p’s worth but hope it helps
[Edited on 23-04-2008 by Matt_b]
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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To echo the above, my boss recently told me that despite my age, I'm worth 2 fresh-out-of-uni graduates simply because I've seen things on site, not just read about them.
Thought it summed things up well really 
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Matt_b
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Registered: 13th Jul 07
Location: Leeds
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Wish I had just put that lol 
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dan_almond
Member
Registered: 27th Sep 05
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
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So a degree in QS, is not a nessessity?
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AndyKent
Member
Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Not if a company will take you without one as an assistant/junior.
You might have to do one in time, but you'll also get loads of on-site experience which is invaluable.
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Fad
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Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
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I'm a trainne Quantity Surveyor now, i'm 25 and took a big step to leave a well paid job as an accountant to try something mor einteresting. This proves there are opportunities you just have to be very much on the ball with the application process.
I already have a Degree In Accounting and Finance and am Semi Qualified ACCA but have the opportunity to go back to uni on day release and do a conversion course.
Very much enjoy my job now as I am just gaining some industry knowlegde before I jump into the QS'ing as my firm is mainly a frim of building surveyors i get a varied role and exposure to a lot of different things.
Hopefullly I will more involved in the QS side when i start my course and get mre involved in the project management of sites etc
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