November is National Career Development Month

Life Doesn’t Always Begin According to Plan

On October 20 of this year, our family welcomed our newest member, Baby Ryder, who decided to enter the world in 2026 instead of 2027. Thankfully, he is doing well. His daily goal is simply to grow. For now, that means growing in size, as he is still so tiny, yet so perfect in the eyes of his family. He didn’t get to choose us or know he would be arriving so soon, but we can’t wait to celebrate his homecoming when the time is just right.

There is a popular saying in both English and Spanish:

“You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.”

In Spanish: “Puedes elegir a tus amigos, pero no a tu familia.”

Ryder didn’t choose his family, and neither side of his family chose when he would arrive. But each of us can choose how we support him and his parents, the relationships we build, and the role we play in his life as he grows.

We don’t always choose our circumstances, but we do choose how we respond to them.

And that brings me to career development.

Are You Building Your Career or Just Collecting Paychecks?

November is National Career Development Month, recognized by the National Career Development Association (NCDA).

After more than 30 years working with construction management professionals, I have found that many can tell me exactly what salary they want, the title they deserve, and the size of the projects they have managed.

But ask what they want to be responsible for in five years, what competencies they need to develop, or what results will justify their next compensation increase, and the answers aren’t always as clear.

Wanting more money is not a career development plan.

You may not have chosen how you entered construction, but you can intentionally choose what comes next.

Bigger Projects. Bigger Titles. But Are You Actually Better?

In construction management, we often measure career growth by project value, salary, title, and years of experience.

But does managing a $100 million project make someone more capable than someone managing a $20 million project?

Does having 20 years of experience mean you have developed for 20 years, or have you repeated the same responsibilities year after year?

A Project Manager who owns the budget, protects profitability, anticipates risk, and develops the team may be better prepared for advancement than someone managing a much larger project without those responsibilities.

The same applies across the organizational chart including Superintendents, Estimators, and Executives.

Your title tells people what position you hold. Your competencies and results demonstrate what you can actually do.

Career growth isn’t simply about taking on bigger projects. It is about developing the ability to make better decisions, accept greater responsibility, lead people, and deliver results.

Choose Your Employer as Carefully as Your Employer Chooses You

The General Contractor, Developer, Construction Manager, or Specialty Contractor you choose influences your career far beyond your next paycheck.

The projects, leadership, responsibilities, and opportunities you are exposed to today help determine what you will be qualified to do tomorrow.

A bigger salary doesn’t necessarily mean a better opportunity. A bigger company doesn’t necessarily mean greater career growth.

And sometimes the best decision is staying with your current employer and taking on responsibilities you haven’t yet mastered.

Employers have choices, too. They choose whom to hire, develop, and promote.

But are they verifying competencies and results, or simply being impressed by titles, project values, and years of experience?

A successful career relationship requires both parties to understand what they are choosing and why.

Don’t Justify. Verify.

Growth Has Different Measures at Different Stages

Right now, Ryder’s growth is measured in ounces, strength, and daily milestones. Each small accomplishment moves him closer to the day he can come home.

He doesn’t need to become the biggest baby in the NICU. He needs to become strong enough for his next stage of life.

Isn’t that what career development should be about, too?

A Superintendent doesn’t need the biggest project to become a better leader. A Project Manager doesn’t need a bigger title to improve financial performance. An Estimator doesn’t need more years of experience to develop better judgment about risk and profitability.

They need opportunities to develop the competencies required for their next stage.

Growth isn’t about becoming bigger. It’s about becoming capable of what comes next.

What Are You Choosing?

Ryder didn’t choose when he would arrive, his family, or the challenges of his first few months. But he has a goal, and everyone involved in his care is working toward that goal, one milestone at a time.

For those of us in construction management, we have the advantage of being able to make intentional choices about our future.

As we recognize National Career Development Month, I encourage construction professionals and employers to consider three questions:

DEFINE: What does success look like for you personally and professionally, and what responsibilities are you willing to accept to achieve it?

DISTINGUISH: What competencies, results, and relationships make you valuable beyond your title and years of experience?

DEVELOP: What are you doing today to prepare yourself or your people for the next opportunity?

One day, Ryder will make his own choices about his future. For now, we are celebrating every ounce gained and every milestone reached because each one brings him closer to home.

He has a destination, and every bit of growth matters because it moves him closer to getting there.

The same should be true of our careers.

Are the choices you are making today moving you toward the future you actually want?

Work is part of your life. Choose wisely.

Suzanne Breistol

Founder and CEO
Florida Construction Connection, Inc.
The Breistol Method® | Define. Distinguish. Develop.

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