Breaking Away

When it comes to her dream job, Keri Hoeppner never in her wildest imagination dreamed the job would come around this soon. In less than a year, her earning has tripled to a six-figure salary, even without a university degree or a self-owned business.

With the new salary offer, the North Lake construction technology student did not have to think twice about packing up her belongings and leaving Texas this month to take up a construction management position in Virginia.

At 33, Hoeppner admitted that her big salary jump at a record time was the result of an effort a few years in the making. She has worked in the construction industry for over four years but she got her real break after enrolling in the construction management program at North Lake. About two years ago, Hoeppner started doing some work in project management.

“It took me several years working with people and learning. It’s a question of earning their trust. I was really lucky to have a phenomenal mentor who was willing to work with me. I firmly believe you have to do whatever you could to set yourself apart, take the initiatives and create your own opportunities,” said Hoeppner, who has been working full time while studying at North Lake. Now she is also attending Texas A&M University at Commerce.

The yellow brick road that led Hoeppner to this career path started at the DFW Education Center, a joint partnership between North Lake College and the Construction Education Foundation (CEF). The center provides both management and skill-based education for the construction industry. According to the American Council of Construction Education, only eight American junior colleges have accredited associate programs in construction, with North Lake being the only one in Texas.

“Keri has the overall view of the business aspect of construction, and knows the nuts and bolts that make up construction,” said Mike Cooley, executive dean of the construction management and technology program, talking about his former student. “But she ’s no different from the majority of our students. Most of our students are currently employed in the construction industry. They come back to our program to get their formal education so they can advance in the industry.”

Like Hoeppner, Michael Reiter came to the program for the same reason. He is a North Lake freshman but has had a few years of fieldwork and project management experience in different industries.

“I think there’s a huge discrepancy between field crew doing hands-on work and the office personnel,” Reiter said. “I really look forward to learn all aspects of project management in the class.”

For Hoeppner, being a woman trying to break into a man-dominated profession was no easy task either, but she said it actually helped her once she got in because of the industry trend to push for diversity.

Hoeppner’s success is an inspiration for Nickhat Ijazi, one of the few women in the program. Ijazi has worked for 11 years as an architect overseas and is now pursuing an associate’s degree in construction to help broaden her knowledge.

“I don’t see many women working in the construction field,” Ijazi said. “I feel the construction industry should change its attitude. Whoever knows better should do the job, whether that’s a man or a woman.”

Hoeppner hides no secret about what makes her stand out. Besides the construction knowledge, she said a project manager must have good foundation in business, math, computer as well as verbal and written communication. The ability to look at the big picture and develop relationships with other people in the field is also very important.

“Having a whole bag of skills is going to help you immensely. The more versatile you are, you’re being more fl exible,” said Hoeppner, who has lived in seven states and worked a variety of jobs.

Learning from Hoeppner, Sam Serrato is now ready to add other skills to his portfolio. In addition to construction classes, the construction freshman said he would start taking business classes next semester.

“She’s definitely broadened my eyes,” Serrato said. “I’ve been in the fi eld longer than her and I’m not even a foreman. I learned basically anybody has the opportunity if they grab it. Nothing is going to just come to you.”

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts the number of job openings will exceed that of qualified construction managers through 2014.

Even with the six-figure earning, Hoeppner is not about to give up her college education. She plans to return to North Lake occasionally to take exams, and continue her online classes at Texas A&M until she graduates in the fall of 2008.

“Marketing yourself is very important. Just being at Texas A&M will open a lot of doors,” Hoeppner said.