For people who like to be active all day, who like to take their skills to new challenges in constantly changing locations, the construction industry has an array of attractive jobs. You might work for a small construction company, or for the government, maintaining highways, or a big corporation. Some construction workers are highly specialized, and hire themselves out as free lancers, doing their particular piece of a large project. Some jobs require technical training while others require apprenticeships. Other trades can be learned through unions, or at vocational schools. Some, such as an architect, require a college degree. An architect draws on advanced degrees and creativity to design a skyscraper that can withstand an earthquake. To go into business for yourself, some knowledge of accounting and business practices can be a big help. These courses can be taken at local community or business colleges. An advantage of working for large construction companies, government, or unions, is that you can obtain health and pension benefits. Whether you take a job installing drywall, or operating a bulldozer, a job in construction requires the ability to do things precisely. These jobs tend to be very physical, but they also call for great care. From a skyscraper, to a superhighway or a communication connection, the strength of the finished product is in the details. Working conditions vary widely. Cable installers find themselves in all kinds of homes, and need to be able to interact with customers. So do painters, paperhangers, and other workers whose finished product must please the homeowner. Construction workers also must be able to get along with each other. Many projects include teams of specialized workers, who may or may not know each other. Getting the job done requires give-and-take; it’s a collaboration that often calls for communication across language barriers. Often the work takes you outside, in the heat of a summer day, or winter’s cold. Roofers, pipefitters, structural ironworkers and other construction workers are often exposed to extreme conditions; precautions must be taken to avoid injury. This is a field that can leave you with aches and pains after a workweek filled with bending, carrying, kneeling and other physically demanding tasks. Seeing a job through to a successful completion, though, can be very satisfying. So can being in demand, when you’re known for doing your job well.