In the past few months I have received calls from others in construction looking to work with me as either an employee or as a consultant for estimating assignments in various locations around the country. For the most part I do not know them or their qualifications however; I usually take the call or will return it as soon as practical. I am always interested in finding another quality estimator to complement or supplement our existing expertise.
In talking with them, I like to know what experiences they have in the industry and how many years. Is it general or trade specific estimating related. What involvement do they have with scheduling, cost control and contracts? I ask them to describe how they perform each of the responsibilities for these areas. Then I get to the hard questions.
As I happen to be a member of ASPE (Fellow), AACEI (Certified Estimating Professional) and the AAA (Neutral Panel Member), I ask about what professional or other organizations they belong to. If it is none, I start to wonder why? Wouldn’t they want to network with peers in the industry? Do they really have the experience I am looking for? Are they committed to a career in estimating?
While associations are good for networking, they are also excellent arenas for professional training and development. I am a firm believer that a career commitment to a profession involves participation in a related organization and its functions. Whether as a seminar attendee or a presenter, both the individual and profession will benefit from the sharing of knowledge.
I know the three organizations mentioned, along with many others, can offer opportunities to their members. A career involves more than just putting in time at the workplace. It involves continuing development. This added participation in a professional association demonstrates that a person is not only willing to receive but to give back. To me it demonstrates a level of dedication I look for in a quality estimator. It helps separate the contenders from the pretenders.
