Hey everyone! I’m 25 and finished my MIS degree back in May 2022. Been working as a tech consultant at a Big 4 firm focusing on banking clients here in Dallas for about 3 years now.
I really want to switch careers because banking just doesn’t do it for me anymore. The pay is decent but I hate how everything feels so abstract and disconnected from real results. I need something more hands-on and concrete.
Since a lot of my current work involves project management stuff, I started looking into construction management. I’ve talked to some college buddies who work in construction and it sounds way more interesting. I already finished three Columbia courses on construction planning, scheduling and finance. Got my OSHA 30 certification too. I’ve been reaching out to construction companies around DFW and trying to use my network.
I could really use some guidance on:
- Which positions should I go after first (project engineer, assistant project manager, etc.)
- What type of companies to focus on (general contractors, subcontractors, large vs small firms)
- Any other training or certifications I should get to bridge my PM background with construction
- How should I update my resume to make myself attractive to construction employers
Thanks for any help! Really appreciate any feedback or suggestions you can share.
You’re hitting the market at the perfect time with Texas’s infrastructure boom exploding right now. Go after design-build firms - they love people who get both the client side and the technical stuff. Your Big 4 banking background? That’s gold for construction. You already know how to deal with regulations and keep stakeholders happy, which is exactly what you’ll be doing with permits, inspections, and demanding owners. Stick to infrastructure or industrial projects instead of commercial. These guys actually want someone who can think analytically and optimize processes. Yeah, get your PMP, but also look into LEED or BIM training to stand out more. When you’re networking, hammer home how you juggled multiple projects and client relationships at once - construction companies are terrible at this kind of coordination. Here’s the thing about that abstract banking work you hate: it’s actually taught you risk assessment and compliance skills that construction desperately needs. The industry’s getting more regulated and tech-heavy every day.
lol everyone thinks construction’s some magical upgrade from consulting. Reality check - you’re still dealing with bureaucrats, just with hard hats instead of suits. Your banking background matters way more than people here are saying though. Most construction PMs can’t handle complex financial tracking or manage client expectations like you already do. Honestly? Skip the fancy training advice - just apply everywhere and see who bites. Market’s good enough that someone will take a chance if you don’t sound completely clueless in interviews.
Your banking tech background is pure gold! Construction desperately needs people who get both PM and digital systems. Go after commercial developers - they’re always looking for consultants who understand client relations and can handle complex scheduling.
Made the same jump 4 years ago - IT consulting to construction. Worth every headache! Look at specialty contractors like MEP or concrete firms - they need people who speak tech and construction. Your MIS background is gold since most construction companies still suck at project software integration. Skip assistant PM roles and go straight for project engineer positions - you already have the consulting experience assistants are building toward. Hit up AGC events in Dallas. That’s where I made half my real connections.
Construction PM here, 8+ years in. Your tech consulting background is actually solid - tons of firms can’t figure out digital project management. Go after project engineer roles at mid-size general contractors first ($50M-500M revenue). They’ve got better mentorship than the big guys but still have their processes down, unlike the smaller shops. Stick with commercial over residential since your banking client work translates way better to commercial stakeholders. Grab your PMP cert to go with that OSHA 30 - it’ll bridge your current PM skills with construction stuff. On your resume, play up the stakeholder management, budget tracking, and timeline work from consulting. DFW market’s hot right now with all the infrastructure projects, so you’re timing this transition perfectly.
The transition’s easier than you think. Your consulting experience already covers half the job - you know how to handle difficult clients and manage timelines. I’d focus on heavy civil contractors doing highway work since that’s where the real money is in Texas right now. Don’t stress about extra certs beyond what you’ve got. Just get your foot in the door somewhere.
