Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If you want to get your construction engineer or construction management career off to a fast start, this is the video for you. Whether you work for a general contractor in construction as a project engineer or a construction management firm, these tips will help set you up for success in the future.
Instagram: @kikoga
0:00 Let's Get Ahead
0:34 Tip 1
Whether it's construction, or any career, if you want to move up quickly you need to be seen by your manager as competent and your manager needs to be your advocate. The reason why this is tip 1 is that sometimes you can overcome incompetence just by being in good favor with your manager. Not something I suggest, I'd rather you all be both competent and have that great relationship, but your manager does have a lot of power in determining how you are seen at the higher level.
2:16 Tip 2
Do the work so you have the skills to progress. Especially in construction, it just takes time to learn all that goes into a construction project, and unless you were in the career before, it's not something most people have seen so you're starting from square 1. If you want to move quickly, the only way to get the knowledge packed into your mind that fast, is to put in more time at work. I want you to be good and capable before getting promoted, so I highly suggest you put in that effort to get ready as soon as possible. I wouldn't want anyone in the situation where you have the title, but not enough skills to back it up.
4:11 Tip 3
Dont draw lines in your responsibilities. Because we are focused on quick growth, you need to expand your mind and knowledge base out of your assigned scopes. Take it as an opportunity to learn more and give yourself more mental capital. Also you want to be seen as a team player, and willing to work with others. That becomes more important as you move up.
6:08 Tip 4
Solve problems. Solving problems helps you get depth of understanding on issues and becomes a good reference point for learning for your future. Too many people run away from problems and if you are trying to move up quickly, you need to take these head on. And this is all kinds of problems from technical to personality.
7:30 Tip 5
Improve people skills. To move into management you are going to be solving more people problems than technical most of the time. So practice as you're growing your career so you can understand and see how people operate.
8:44 Tip 5.5
Learn the actual project management skills. Do the job before you get the job. I would personally hate to be in a role I am not ready for, so I would want to test the job out first so it's not the first time I am doing it. Also it can give you a taste of what it's like at that position and if it's something that you are actually interested in.
10:40 Tip 6
Contract and risk side of the business. Construction is a business at the end of the day and as the manager you need to manage the risk to protect the business. Understanding your contract is your rule book and knowing what you signed up for is important to manage the risk.
Shirt Worn In the Video (availability may vary): Use code KIENEN40 at checkout for 40% off!
fivebirdies.com
Pass the PE Exam with Pathceed using the link below!
pathceed.com/?wpam_id=11
PE Exam Materials I Used To Pass:
NCEES Practice Exam (can also get this through NCEES): amzn.to/3wq3WOB
Civil Engineering Reference Manual (I used older 14th Edition): amzn.to/3gw201i
Lindeberg Practice Problems (I had an older version of this): amzn.to/3pWwxZw
Software Used In Construction:
AutoCad amzn.to/3qGt1lz
Autodesk Revit amzn.to/3qEl6Fe
Microsoft Office amzn.to/3pFMPnQ
Motion get.usemotion.com/ucejgocqz8vw
Youtube Camera and Recording Equipment:
Camera amzn.to/2ZOrGxn
Shotgun Mic amzn.to/2ZAL2FT
Clip On Mic amzn.to/3qM3pUw
Ring Light amzn.to/3pAA6m9
Drone amzn.to/2ZyJkET
*Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kienen Koga will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kienen Koga is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
If you want to get your construction engineer or construction management career off to a fast start, this is the video for you. Whether you work for a general contractor in construction as a project engineer or a construction management firm, these tips will help set you up for success in the future.
Instagram: @kikoga
0:00 Let's Get Ahead
0:34 Tip 1
Whether it's construction, or any career, if you want to move up quickly you need to be seen by your manager as competent and your manager needs to be your advocate. The reason why this is tip 1 is that sometimes you can overcome incompetence just by being in good favor with your manager. Not something I suggest, I'd rather you all be both competent and have that great relationship, but your manager does have a lot of power in determining how you are seen at the higher level.
2:16 Tip 2
Do the work so you have the skills to progress. Especially in construction, it just takes time to learn all that goes into a construction project, and unless you were in the career before, it's not something most people have seen so you're starting from square 1. If you want to move quickly, the only way to get the knowledge packed into your mind that fast, is to put in more time at work. I want you to be good and capable before getting promoted, so I highly suggest you put in that effort to get ready as soon as possible. I wouldn't want anyone in the situation where you have the title, but not enough skills to back it up.
4:11 Tip 3
Dont draw lines in your responsibilities. Because we are focused on quick growth, you need to expand your mind and knowledge base out of your assigned scopes. Take it as an opportunity to learn more and give yourself more mental capital. Also you want to be seen as a team player, and willing to work with others. That becomes more important as you move up.
6:08 Tip 4
Solve problems. Solving problems helps you get depth of understanding on issues and becomes a good reference point for learning for your future. Too many people run away from problems and if you are trying to move up quickly, you need to take these head on. And this is all kinds of problems from technical to personality.
7:30 Tip 5
Improve people skills. To move into management you are going to be solving more people problems than technical most of the time. So practice as you're growing your career so you can understand and see how people operate.
8:44 Tip 5.5
Learn the actual project management skills. Do the job before you get the job. I would personally hate to be in a role I am not ready for, so I would want to test the job out first so it's not the first time I am doing it. Also it can give you a taste of what it's like at that position and if it's something that you are actually interested in.
10:40 Tip 6
Contract and risk side of the business. Construction is a business at the end of the day and as the manager you need to manage the risk to protect the business. Understanding your contract is your rule book and knowing what you signed up for is important to manage the risk.
Shirt Worn In the Video (availability may vary): Use code KIENEN40 at checkout for 40% off!
fivebirdies.com
Pass the PE Exam with Pathceed using the link below!
pathceed.com/?wpam_id=11
PE Exam Materials I Used To Pass:
NCEES Practice Exam (can also get this through NCEES): amzn.to/3wq3WOB
Civil Engineering Reference Manual (I used older 14th Edition): amzn.to/3gw201i
Lindeberg Practice Problems (I had an older version of this): amzn.to/3pWwxZw
Software Used In Construction:
AutoCad amzn.to/3qGt1lz
Autodesk Revit amzn.to/3qEl6Fe
Microsoft Office amzn.to/3pFMPnQ
Motion get.usemotion.com/ucejgocqz8vw
Youtube Camera and Recording Equipment:
Camera amzn.to/2ZOrGxn
Shotgun Mic amzn.to/2ZAL2FT
Clip On Mic amzn.to/3qM3pUw
Ring Light amzn.to/3pAA6m9
Drone amzn.to/2ZyJkET
*Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kienen Koga will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kienen Koga is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
