Career Options for People Who Like to Play in the Dirt

June 25, 2025
If you enjoy working with your hands, navigating challenges as they rise, and seeing the tangible results of your efforts, a career in construction might be your perfect fit. The construction industry offers a wide range of hands-on opportunities, some based full-time on job sites and others primarily in an office setting. Whether you're picking up your first set of tools or bringing years of experience to the drafting table, construction offers a path forward and a place where your skills can build something that lasts. 

There are many job titles that fit under the umbrella of “construction work” including both foundational and emerging roles. 

Established & Steady Roles: The Backbone of Construction

These positions are time-tested and remain vital to every construction project. They're ideal for individuals who want a clear entry point, steady work, and the chance to grow with experience and training.

Construction Laborers: Often the first on-site and the last to leave, laborers handle everything from site preparation and demolition to material handling and assisting skilled tradespeople. This role offers stability, on-the-job learning, and a clear path for advancement into more specialized trades.
Carpenters: From framing buildings to installing cabinetry and finishes, carpenters shape the structure and details of buildings. This trade is perfect for those who enjoy working with tools and bringing designs to life.
Equipment Operators: Operating bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, and other heavy machinery, equipment operators are essential to moving earth, lifting materials, and laying foundations. This is a high-responsibility role that requires both technical know-how and situational awareness.


Focused & Specialized Roles: The Hidden Strength of Construction


These positions highlight the additional layers within a construction company and specific skill sets that can be developed over time.


Superintendent: Superintendents are the on-site leaders who supervise, coordinate, and schedule all aspects of construction activity from managing crews and subcontractors to ensuring work is completed safely, on time, and within budget. They anticipate staffing, materials, and equipment needed to keep projects running efficiently and maintain high safety standards. Strong blueprint reading skills, effective communication, and solid knowledge of construction practices are essential. Superintendents must be highly organized, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Project Manager: Project managers are the planners and coordinators who keep construction projects on track—from initial estimates and timelines to final walkthroughs. They oversee budgets, manage subcontractors, ensure compliance, and keep communication flowing across all teams. A key part of their role is developing and maintaining detailed project schedules to ensure every phase stays on time and within scope. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and multitasking skills are a must.

Estimator: Estimators play a critical role in construction by analyzing project plans, specifications, and site conditions to develop accurate cost projections and budgets. Their work ensures that projects are financially feasible and competitively priced, supporting everything from early conceptual pricing to detailed bids. Estimators collaborate closely with project managers, subcontractors, and suppliers to understand scope, materials, and timelines. For those with strong analytical skills, an Estimator role might be a great fit.

Design & Fabrication: In the context of commercial construction, design involves creating detailed shop drawings, production drawings, installation plans, and as-built documentation that support real-world building processes. This includes translating scan data into precise line work and ensuring constructability in the field. Fabrication focuses on producing the physical components and custom assemblies that bring these designs to life. For those seeking a creative role within a stable, hands-on industry, design and fabrication in construction offers a rewarding path.

Why Construction?


Choosing construction as a career doesn’t just mean getting your hands dirty—it means building a stable, rewarding future in an industry that values hard work, respect and community.


  • Excellent Pay & Benefits: Many construction jobs offer competitive wages, with opportunities for overtime, bonuses, and benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
  • Job Stability: Construction is one of the most resilient industries. Skilled workers are consistently in demand, especially as infrastructure projects and commercial developments continue to grow across the country.
  • Cultural Fit: Whether you're someone who enjoys being outside, working as part of a close-knit crew, or solving real-world problems with your hands, construction offers a work culture that respects grit, camaraderie, and results.
  • Career Advancement: With experience and additional training or certification, you can move into supervisory, technical, or project management roles. Many senior leaders in construction started in the trenches—sometimes literally.


Ready to Build Your Future?



In construction, you're not just clocking in – you’re changing the landscape, strengthening communities, and building a future you can be proud of. Whether you're literally getting your hands dirty in the field or leading from behind the scenes, there’s a place for every skill set and a clear path to grow.  


According to Penn State Construction Owner, David Miller, “There's never been a better time to jump into the trades. In construction, hard work turns into real opportunities and real money. It's a future built on skill, grit and getting things done.”

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Intentional Culture. Exceptional Work.

By Elyssa Drexel • April 29, 2025
Culture shouldn’t just be a part of what a construction company does – it should be the foundation of everything they do. In addition to schedules and blueprints, job sites run on people. When you believe this, then you focus on hiring people who are rooted in honor and productivity. Individuals who take pride in their craft. Craftsmen who are intentional about the way they work and the way they treat each other, because that intentionality shows up in the finished product, in client relationships, and the overall atmosphere of the team. We believe this philosophy is what has shaped Penn State Construction and how we are building for tomorrow through three fundamental values. Family First. Always. No matter how our team grows or where the evolving construction industry takes us, one thing stays constant: family comes first. Project Manager and Estimator, Mathias Miller, has been with Penn State Construction for more than 9 years and shares, “Family comes first. That’s never an issue. We encourage our people to have a healthy family life.” Flexibility around family events and personal needs isn’t an exception for us, but rather a priority. We know that when people feel supported in their personal lives, they show up stronger and more engaged at work. Our teams know that beyond being employees, they are people with lives outside of the job site, and we respect that. That mindset is foundational to who we are. When we say we have a family atmosphere, it’s about more than camaraderie. Being a part of a family means having genuine care for each other’s well-being. Respect is Expected. Our sites are productive, focused, and full of collaboration. That’s not by accident. We’ve created a culture where respect is not just encouraged, it’s expected. Whether we’re working side by side in the dirt or planning out the next phase of a project, the attitude is always the same: we’re in this together, and we treat one another considerately. With decades of experience and generations of craftsmen on our team, we know not to take for granted the culture of respect at Penn State Construction. There have been times when members of our team have worked alongside other contractors and been struck by the negativity and disconnect between people in the field and those in the office. That’s not our way. We lift each other up. Every person on our team has a name, not a number, and everyone plays a role in our success. We’re also aware of how we present ourselves. Our tools and equipment are well-maintained, organized, and ready to go each day. That level of professionalism sets the tone for the entire project and reinforces an atmosphere of care, discipline, and excellence in the work we do. The Impact of Culture on Quality At the end of the day, quality is everything. It’s what we’re known for and what we demand of ourselves. We’ve seen too many job sites where corners are cut, punch lists go on forever, and warranties become the cleanup crew. Connecting operational and cultural expectations has a direct impact on the level of craftsmanship brought to every project. One person on the Penn State Construction team who knows the onsite culture more than most is Site Superintendent, Jamie Weaver. According to Jamie, “We have a saying, ‘Good is not good enough. You do your best.’ If you're not doing your best work, then it’s not Penn State quality.” We expect everyone to show up ready to bring their best, every time. That mindset doesn’t come from pressure - it comes from engagement. When our people are happy, feel respected, and invested in what we’re building, the quality naturally follows. It shows in the final product, in the lack of re-works, and how our team celebrates their contributions when a job is complete. We’ve also been intentional about sharing our vision. Since becoming part of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), we regularly ensure that everyone understands where we’re headed and how they fit into the bigger picture. That clarity has strengthened our team dynamic; made us a more effective organization; and allows us to attract better talent. People want to be a part of something they believe in. When they see our job sites, meet our teams, and experience our culture, they recognize something different. We arrive with a plan. We take care of our people and our equipment. We work with purpose and pride. This is who we are. This is Penn State Construction. And we’re BUILT FOR TOMORROW.