• Find the construction job that's right for you.Hard working construction worker at a construction scene. image by Andy Dean from Fotolia.com
  
  Although the construction industry can go through swings as booms come and go, there are a wide variety of career opportunities. Workers build everything from homes to office buildings to bridges and monuments.
  
  

Architect

• All construction projects begin at the drawing board. The architect is the one who takes the needs of the construction company and transforms them into a detailed set of plans that the construction crew can follow. Architects create plans with complete measurements, instructions and even estimates of the materials required. On larger projects the architect will also work on-site to make sure the construction team has a clear understanding of the instructions.
  
  

CAD Specialist

• Computer-aided design is a more modern offshoot of architecture. These designs are often used in construction projects that require special engineering calculations. Suspension bridges or high-rises that are subject to strong winds are both examples of projects where a CAD specialist is required. The job involves verifying details calculations and inputting them into a computer software program that will conduct simulated stress tests and recommend changes to the plan.
  
  

Construction Foreman

• The construction foreman is the direct supervisor of those who are doing the daily work on the building project. The foreman is responsible for making sure the project stays on schedule and does so by delegating the daily workload among the available labor force. The foreman works directly with workers and usually has enough direct experience to make them capable of performing every task on the job site themselves.
  
  

Inspector

• Inspectors are used at various stages of a construction project. They are used to inspect structures before remodeling projects to determine what work is needed. Inspectors also make sure that work is being performed according to the standards of local building codes. This is particularly true in the case of electrical wiring or plumbing. Inspectors must be familiar with all legal codes and be able to translate those codes to the construction workers, along with advice on how to proceed.