Aly – California « back to essays

I'll admit, when my team first asked me to participate in the Construction Challenge, I was a little confused. My team leader told us that we were flying from California to New Jersey with only four days notice! I had no idea what was in store for us. I thought that we were going to be parading around wearing yellow hard hats and big, heavy tool belts. Boy was I wrong! The moment we began our research and brainstorming for the challenge, my views on the industry began to change dramatically. In our preparation for the event, we studied some very complex issues involving various infrastructures. That is when I began to rethink my original perceptions about the industry.

When my team, reached the New Jersey rally, I was overcome with excitement. My adrenaline was pumping and I was elated. As I sat in the theater and listened to the people who actually work in the industry, it made all of our previous book work and research come to life. I developed a newfound respect for the people involved in the industry, and the exciting, intellectual, and creative challenges that a construction career has to offer. I started to envision myself working in the construction industry which is something I NEVER imagined before. And even better, I saw that this industry had a particular focus on an issue that has always been very important to me; the environment. I have always aspired to have an impact in helping to preserve our environment. When I learned that the construction field is working very hard to become a "green" industry, I knew there was a home for me in construction.

There are so many ways to make a difference in the quest for environmentally friendly construction such as research, development, education, and sales. In Las Vegas, I hope to learn from the top leaders in construction about career paths which focus on the development of environmentally conscious building techniques, and the best methods to educate people about these issues. I hope to apply my creative skills and disciplined work ethic to the research and development of green construction materials and methods. I would be very proud to spend each work day trying to discover new environmentally conscious construction technologies such as creating new products using recycled parts or creating new construction techniques that reduce waste.

Another avenue that would also allow me to pursue my interest the environment is to be involved in the education and sales aspect of new cleaner construction methods. I have always thought of myself as very outgoing and personable, and this was reinforced at the Regional Competition in New Jersey. In Glassboro, a judge shared his observation that my friendly personality would be very well suited for construction sales. His comments were very encouraging and definitely further peaked my interest in green construction education and sales.

I am proud to say that I no longer have a misperception about the Construction Industry. I have learned that the people in construction, whether they "parade around in a yellow hard hat and tool belt," or work in research and development, or sales, or even are the CEO of a construction company, are responsible for seeing to it that the world is built properly. These people make a difference. I want to make a difference too.