What You Need To Know Before Becoming a Building Engineer

A building engineer is a career with many advancement paths to choose from and can see you going from fixing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to being director of facilities or project superintendent in a few short years. Before getting started, it is important to know what kinds of education and duties you will be looking at as well as what kinds of qualities employers are looking for in a building engineer.

Education

Not much formal education is required to become a building engineer, but several certifications and licenses are useful for gaining employment and for advancing in the career field. These include experience and certifications in electrical systems, plumbing and carpentry. You can find vocational courses through HVAC training Washington DC schools or local trade schools for these things. Some accredited universities and colleges offer degree programs that cover related certifications and can help you find jobs to build your experience.

Duties

The duties of a building engineer include general maintenance tasks like fixing or replacing faulty electrical switches, HVAC cleaning and repair, and cleaning buildings. They also include planning repairs and renovations from blueprints and plans, ordering parts and supplies and working with tenants and owners to consult on needed maintenance. Since this is a job that opens many career pathways, the duties are varied and can include any number of trades.

Important Qualities

Some important qualities that employers look for in a building engineer include customer service skills, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills. You must also be able to pass a background check and have good physical stamina and time management skills. Many of these things can be trained if you work on the skills you already have and have the desire to work in building maintenance as a supervisor and advance in your career path.

Becoming a building engineer or expanding your knowledge and skills base once you are one, can mean learning a little about a lot of different trades. You can start this career path directly after high school and gather certifications and licenses as you advance through the industry.