Ed is Owner and Founder of McDonald Contracting and McDonald Electric in Arlington, Mass.

One summer between 5th and 6th grades, my grandfather, who was the head of maintenance for the local parish center,  brought me on to help him with handy work and repairs. I learned two things that summer: 1) I enjoyed working with my hands, and 2) It felt incredible to know that my hard work left a positive impact by improving the way of living for people in the community. 

Ed McDonald and his dog, Dempsey.

So, I continued spending my summers in the construction field to refine my skills. I started on small projects, but it never seemed like enough for me. I had an entrepreneurial mentality from a young age and had the urge to continue to grow. Every summer, I would take on more significant projects to gain more experience. Simultaneously, I thought, ‘how can I continue to double or even triple my work?’ 

My dedication to learning something I’m passionate about is the reason I became a contractor. And in 2013, just one year after graduating from college, I started my own construction business, McDonald Contracting. 

Construction Careers Give You Control 

There are so many benefits to choosing a career in construction. First, you have control of your career path. Training and experience will help you determine what you enjoy doing and what skills don’t work out. 

You also have control over your schedule. If you value flexibility, a construction career is ideal for a healthy work-life balance.

Lastly, you have control over your finances. You can make as much or as little as you want. Whether you’re a plumber, carpenter or electrician, it can be a very lucrative business if you are motivated and put in the work.

Start Training Now

Starting to train in the construction industry at a young age equips you with the knowledge and skills to succeed. The summer season is the busiest season for construction, which is perfect for high school kids. 

My company focuses on residential interior/exterior remodeling, and I employ many high school students. I take pride in giving them opportunities to develop and earn money. My lead carpenters on job sites set the kids up in the morning, and some of their tasks include: digging, pouring concrete, demolition and keeping the job site clean every day. 

Many of these kids have made fantastic progress, including moving up to be junior carpenters. One kid who has been working with me since high school realized his passion for physical work using his hands and is currently pursuing a degree in construction management at the University of Massachusetts.

One of McDonald Contracting’s finish carpenters on the job.

I always knew I wanted to own a business. While I went to college to study business management, I realized no class teaches you how to manage customers and employees. My real-life experiences after college in the field allowed me to observe and learn along the way — it was like my own “grad school!” You can be an exceptional craftsman, but if you don’t know the business side, it defeats the purpose of being your own boss. There are many dynamics and moving parts involved, like invoicing, managing employees, developing estimates, etc. Your goal as an owner is to run a stable and profitable business!

If you aspire to run a business, however, you don’t have to go on your own right away. In fact, you can gain valuable experience working with another company first, and navigate how the business side operates.

Take Initiative and Open Your Own Doors

If you’re passionate about working with your hands and want to build a career around it, take the initiative. Don’t wait for someone to knock on your door. Having a “hustle” mentality is vital — create that opportunity! Getting your foot in the door is as easy as searching online for construction companies in your area. Call (or email) and introduce yourself and ask about their needs on both the operations and business sides. I realize some kids might fear rejection by putting themselves out there so blatantly. Don’t get discouraged if you get a “no.” Trust me, it doesn’t mean you won’t get a “yes” next time!

The Construction Industry is Thriving 

Right now is an ideal time for figuring out if you would thrive in a construction career. More people are working from home and have been saving money to focus on their remodeling projects. In fact, my company is completely booked over the next year, and I don’t foresee that slowing down. The construction industry is expected to grow; however, with the massive labor shortage, contractors can’t always find the skilled workers they need, which means they have to turn down jobs. I’m constantly on the lookout for new talent, so I guarantee plenty of job openings are waiting for talented individuals like you. 

So what are you waiting for? Go open that door!