Did you know? October was Careers in Construction month! We asked O‑A‑K team members to share an inside look at what it's like working in the industry, from the challenges to the rewards. Read their answers below.
Sawyer Overway, Special Events Coordinator in Grand Rapids Michigan
What initially drew you to the construction industry? Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you?
My dad was always a part of the construction industry while I grew up, so construction feels like home to me! I loved visiting construction sites with him as a kid. I love being a part of creating spaces that people will use and enjoy for years to come.
What aspects of the construction industry do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
I love seeing the progression of a project go from nothing to something. It is the perfect physical example of showing how hard work overtime, with a little bit of problem-solving, pays off. At O‑A‑K we get to build and improve a lot of schools, I think it’s so special that we get to provide environments for upcoming generations to thrive in. It’s pretty cool being a part of an industry that builds communities. I love driving around and pointing out buildings we’ve helped build.
How did you decide construction was the right path compared to other industries?
Aside from being interested in buildings, structure, design, etc., the construction industry is filled with some of the best people you’ll meet! Everyone in the industry is extremely hardworking and intelligent. Each day brings about new challenges to navigate, in our industry these challenges are never seen as a problem, rather just part of the process, and are approached with a “no problem” attitude.
John Meyers, General Superintendent in Colorado
What initially drew you to the construction industry? Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you?
I’ve always been a builder, even as a kid. I’d find scraps of wood and figure out how to make something out of them. When I first got into the trades, I was really interested in how they constructed big structures. I often found myself wondering, “How do they do that?” I started looking back at history, exploring how buildings were built without the tools we have today. That curiosity has stuck with me and has kept my passion for the construction industry alive over the years.
If you could give advice to someone considering a career in construction, what would you say?
Throughout my career, I’ve gained a lot of experience building various projects and passing on lessons to the next generation. One piece of advice I always share is that there’s always another way to approach a problem. Embrace flexibility and keep an open mind—it’s a key part of success in this field.
What aspects of the construction industry do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
One of the most rewarding aspects of the construction industry for me is the satisfaction of seeing a project transform the skyline, especially in downtown areas. When you complete a landmark building it’s fulfilling to know it will be a part of the city’s landscape for years to come. There’s something truly special about contributing to that legacy.
Brian Filipek, Project Manager in Naples Florida
What initially drew you to the construction industry? Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you?
I was finishing up my Junior year of College, and I was going to school for Civil Engineering, and one day in AutoCAD class I was like man, I really do not want to sit behind a computer and design things my whole life, so that’s when I had the thought about trying to go the Construction route and applied for an internship with O‑A‑K, and luckily got the job
What aspects of the construction industry do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
In my opinion, the most rewarding aspect of the industry is the relationships I have built over the years with not only fellow team members, but also outside vendors, subcontractors, design team members, and clients. Enjoying the people you interact with on a daily basis certainly makes coming to work more enjoyable.
Did you face any significant challenges starting out, and how did you overcome them?
I had so many challenges starting out, I don’t really know where to begin. Coming in with no construction experience, let alone having little to no experience with getting my hands dirty growing up, it was a big adjustment. Running jobs out in the field, I had to figure out how to solve problems and keep the jobs moving on schedule. I was intimidated by the older workers as I was just a young kid. Accepting that I lacked the experience of everyone around me, I used that to the best of my ability and took in as much knowledge as I could on a daily basis, asked as many questions as I could, not only from my peers but also the workers in the field, and over time I was able to translate all of that knowledge into my own decision making to become the person I am today.
