“Everything is directly usable at work!”

Andy Hose, a San José native was a longtime steelworker, then had to go on disability. He sought all the avenues available to him and picked training for a new career in the same industry. Hose opted for the Construction Management certificate program.  His decision and his efforts led him from his old field job into an office job in the steel industry.

Worker’s compensation paid for Hose’s training. It took 2 ½  years to complete the program. When asked about his first experience with Professional Development, his first day of class particularly memorable. “There were about 10 people in class and all professionals” Hose noted. This non-traditional student was pleasantly surprised that Professional Development isn’t the traditional 20 year old’s college class.  A career advisor introduced the idea of San José State University Professional Development.  Here he took classes in Construction Basic Estimating, Construction Project Management, Construction Scheduling and Construction Software: Project Control and Reporting.

Hose found the computer classes exceptionally helpful and satisfyingly usable at work right away.  “My instructors are upper-level construction industry professionals with high-tech expertise.”

Hose’s certificate introduced and honed important skills for his career change. When Hose completed the Construction Management certificate program, his advisor taught him how to write a resume and handle interviewing.  “One day, I spoke with the head of Olsen Steel Company, sent in a resumé and I got the job the next day,” Hose gladly shared.  He consequently remained a proud Ironworker’s union member and continues to contribute to a familiar industry with simply a change of responsibilities. A typical day involves a lot of project coordinating, supply ordering and managing deadlines. A demanding job he has but wouldn’t be possible without the training he needed to jump from the field to an office.

When asked what professional development has come to mean for him after all has experienced, his response is “Professional Development is career advancement for someone already in the construction trade.” Hose concludes.

Andy Hose currently works for Olson Steel and has been since 2003.