Zach Moore was working toward a general business degree when he decided he wanted to get a specialized degree instead. His mother urged him to get a construction management degree, and it turned out to be a great decision, he said.
Moore is senior vice president for Caddell Construction. The company specializes in constructing warehouses, data centers, manufacturing facilities, and other similar types of buildings. The company also does automation refits for companies such as Walmart.
Why construction management?
“I like the fact that you get to work with a lot of different people,” he said. “The work landscape of this business changes every day.”
One thing that would surprise a person who is unfamiliar with building construction is how difficult it is to build one, he said. He takes enormous resources including teams of people working in concert, and it has to be done precisely. An enormous amount of technology goes into each building project now, and coordination between working groups is key.
“I think people underestimate how hard it is to build a building,” he said.
One challenge is that there isn’t enough skilled labor. For decades, many high school students were encouraged to go to college and not trade schools. Moore said the industry has had to reach out to high school students to encourage them to take a career in the trades, such as a plumber or electrician.
“We have to let them know they can make a lot of money,” he said.
When he first started in the business, a $1 billion project was a big deal. Now, it’s morphed into $10 billion projects.
“It’s becoming more common,” he said.
Any advice he’d give to his younger self?
“Trust yourself,” he said. “Trust your gut.”