I started in the construction industry at the age of fifteen, Digging swimming pools out of Montana hardpan was not the easiest job, but much was learned that I still use today. After four years, layout, shooting grades and leading the crew were all normal activities. It was a good base to move on to the trades.
Decades in the trades taught me teamwork and perseverance in addition to the skills needed to build projects. The ongoing interactions with my peers were and are still very valuable in my role as an instructor. I worked with many people that are identical to the students I now teach.As a tradesperson it was easier to see traits that made a supervisor both highly effective and ineffective. These observations often happened in very high stress situations. These experiences assisted me in moving on to a supervisory role.
Teaching ESL (in Japan) and in an adult and children's athletic program (in the USA) when I was younger has given me valuable experience. Instructing ESL students in Japan and in the athletic program can often happen on the most base level. Patience, repetition and perseverance are required traits. An overall sense of ‘this is fun’ is a requirement along with a ‘you are doing really well’ consistency. Frustration and emotional swings are commonplace among both student bodies of all age groups. As an instructor my goal was to minimize negative distractions and get the students to focus on accomplishments. This is still true.
Years into the trades I had an opportunity to step up to being a Superintendent. Performing seismic upgrades and other commercial work as a leader among workers was my first introduction to full management. Much was learned about the work and also about dealing with the same clientele we have in the CM department at the college. Of course more had to be learned, so classes in the CM department at EDCC were started. The initial intent was to garner some knowledge and move on with my career. The goal posts were moved upon entering the program and being exposed to Ed VanderBogart, my instructor and mentor. Through Ed’s tutelage, a larger, more expanded, vision was created - one that led me to the office.
After graduation, a career in the office side of construction was my chosen pathway. My initial approach of staying in the field as a degree level superintendent was superseded with the new larger vision. I put my degree to work. A traditional path of Project Engineer, Project Manager/Estimator, to Sr. Estimator followed. It was a long road with a few different business models experienced at different companies. This has been a huge benefit to my instruction. Instead of presenting one business model to my students, several outlines I experienced are presented along with business models I have not even worked with. Once a person has been exposed to multiple approaches, it is easier to understand other approaches and to see their value.
Ed VanderBogert, former CM department head, contacted me to teach part-time for the EDCC CM department. A part-time instructor was needed for an entry level class: CONST 141 Blueprint Reading. Rather than being an easier position due to the entry level aspect of the class, I believe it was more challenging as the responsibility revolving around new students and motivating the student to continue in the program was also included. Both Mr. VanderBogart and Dave Jacobson, present department head, felt it was working out properly, as did I.
After working part-time for the college a decided on a career teaching here at EDCC until retirement was made. Ongoing instructor based training and a BAS Teaching degree have facilitated that pathway to the present Tenure Track (additional education garnered to facilitate this pathway to be outlined in CV). At present, department head skills are being pursued as well due to department needs.