Are you an athlete who got sent this from a parent or teacher?
Or do you have a student-athlete in your life that is looking for a little more direction when it comes to careers?
No matter how you found your way to this blog, you are in luck. We break down exactly why student athletes tend to do so well in civil construction.
Why Athletes and Construction?
Student-athletes have some special qualities that make them stand out over those who didn’t compete, like discipline, teamwork, and a strong motivation to succeed.
What’s great is that these qualities are important in civil construction.
This industry offers hands-on work, chances to grow in your career, and long-term stability.
This blog is for parents, teachers, and students, and it explains why people with a sports background might want to think about getting into civil construction next.”
1. Teamwork on the Field = Teamwork on the Job Site
Team sports teach one of the most valuable life skills, which translates to construction: how to work together for a common goal. (You would be surprised at how many people DON’T have this skill)
In civil construction, projects require collaboration between multiple teams, such as engineers, laborers, managers, and contractors. In sports, everyone has a role to play, and each team member’s contribution matters.
On a construction site and on the field, success isn’t achieved by one person. Athletes are already used to working with others, communicating, and supporting their teammates.
These are exactly the qualities that make civil construction a great fit for those who enjoy team sports.
Parents/Teachers Insight: Encourage students to see that their ability to work in a team is a major advantage in construction. Just like they’ve relied on their teammates on the field, they’ll be part of a team that builds tangible, long-lasting projects.
2. Competitive Drive = Motivation for Success in Construction
Athletes are naturally competitive, with goals of achieving winning and success. Civil construction is fast-paced and goal-driven, providing opportunities to use your skills, solve problems, and take on new challenges.
In construction, there’s always a goal, whether it’s completing a project under budget, meeting a deadline, or solving a unique engineering challenge.
The competitive nature that pushes athletes to excel on the field will help them thrive in construction, where the desire to improve and outperform is highly valued.
Why Athletes Should Care: Your competitive nature gives you an edge. In construction, meeting challenges without hesitation, pushing through hard times, and aiming for the best possible outcome will set you apart from others.
3. Leadership on the Field = Leadership on the Job
Many athletes will also take on leadership roles, leading their teams during games and practices.
Civil construction requires strong leaders to manage projects, lead teams, and ensure everything runs smoothly. For those who have been team captains, civil construction offers many opportunities to lead.
• Team Leaders: Managing groups of workers or overseeing specific tasks.
• Project Managers: Taking charge of entire construction projects, coordinating between different departments, and making critical decisions.
• Site Supervisors: Ensuring safety, quality control, and that the project stays on track.
Athletes who have demonstrated leadership in sports are well-suited for these roles, where the ability to lead, make decisions under pressure, and motivate a team are key to success.
Parents/Teachers Action: Help students see how their leadership skills in sports will translate directly into opportunities in construction, where their experience in leading teams will make them standout candidates.
4. Hard Work in Training = Grit in Construction
Athletes are no strangers to hard work. And compared to a lot of the next generation, this is a huge advantage.
They teach resilience, whether it’s tough training, dealing with exhaustion, or playing in tricky weather.
This same spirit is super relevant in civil construction, where folks often face long hours, bad weather, and surprise challenges that can really test their skills.
Construction can be a tough gig, and it takes a strong work ethic and the drive to push through to finish a project. Athletes are used to tackling obstacles and staying focused under pressure, and that kind of grit is crucial for getting things done on a job site.
Why It Matters: You’re already used to pushing through challenges. In civil construction, that grit will help you succeed when projects get tough, just as it has helped you in sports.
5. Goal Setting in Sports = Reaching Milestones in Construction
Sports are all about setting goals, improving your stats, perfecting a skill, or working toward a championship.
In civil construction, the work is also goal-oriented, with projects broken down into phases, each with its own objectives and deadlines.
Whether you’re working on laying the foundation for a building, finishing a road, or completing the final touches on a bridge, the ability to stay focused on reaching milestones is key.
Athletes who have trained to meet their sports goals will find that construction offers a similar sense of achievement, with each completed phase moving a project closer to completion.
Why It Matters: Your experience in setting and achieving goals in sports will help you thrive in construction. You’ll be able to stay focused and motivated as you work toward each project milestone, just as you did in sports.
Conclusion: Athletes Are Ready for Construction
Athletes have qualities that civil construction companies want: teamwork, leadership, resilience, and a competitive drive to succeed.
If you’re a student-athlete, or a recent graduate who played sports, civil construction offers a rewarding career path where you can use the skills you’ve developed over years of training and competition.
For parents and teachers, this is an opportunity to help students see beyond the field and recognize how their sports experience has set them up for success in a career that’s hands-on, impactful, and filled with growth opportunities.