Beginning of a Career...The Story of a Student Chapter Alum
By Joe Erikson, North Dakota State University '01

As I sat at a table in a conference room on the third floor of Ceres Hall I began to feel nervous. I had interviewed with several companies over the last couple of months and felt relaxed before and during each meeting. This time was different. I had done my homework on all the firms I had interviewed with and Centex Homes was the most impressive. They were a leader in the industry, had won numerous awards, and appeared to have a company culture that aligned very well with my values. Centex was also involved with two of the same organizations I had been with in college, NAHB and Habitat for Humanity. One of my peers had done an internship with the company the previous summer and gave me very positive feedback regarding her experiences. I really wanted a chance for a second interview with Centex.

The door opened, my name was called, and the interview began. Although the interview went well I felt it had not been my best. As I was getting ready to leave, one of the interviewers came out and invited me to the Centex Midwest Region Job Fair in Chicago. I was ecstatic. 

At the Job Fair I had the opportunity to interview with all the divisions in the region and also to visit some Centex projects in the Chicago area. There was also time for socializing and asking more questions. I came away with a good feel of what the company was all about. I was fortunate to be pursuing a career in the construction industry in the spring of 2001. I would be graduating from North Dakota State University in a few months with a Bachelors degree in construction management and the job market was strong.

I had received several offers and had narrowed it down to a smaller residential builder in Fargo and Centex’s Minnesota Division. Even though the Fargo builder’s offer was considerably higher, I accepted Centex’s because of its culture, opportunity, reputation, and people.

I was very excited to be done with school and entering the business world.  College taught me how to learn, my job would shape what I needed to learn. I had a feeling that much of the specific knowledge I had gained in college may not be applicable to my new job. I still would have a lot to learn.

One of the qualities that appealed to me about Centex was the systems they had in place to train new recruits. I had the opportunity to participate in a “boot camp” version of their field manager training program. This was a ten-week accelerated training program in which I spent about 50 percent of the time in training and 50 percent in the field. It gave me a chance to learn the fundamentals of managing home building as well as giving me insight into what each department of the company does. I was able to get a sense of how each individual’s efforts contributed to the finished product — a well-built home with extremely satisfied customers.

After “boot camp”, I applied what I learned by managing the back half (prime on walls to closing) of an established neighborhood. I was working will two other field managers who always took time to answer my many questions and mentor me.

Following about a year of gaining knowledge and refining my skills I was given the opportunity to start and run a new neighborhood. It was very exciting, challenging, and rewarding. There was always someone I could call when I needed assistance.  I was given the resources to succeed and was able to accomplish the goals I had set for the neighborhood.

I have been with Centex for almost three and half years and the opportunities keep coming. I currently oversee a new neighborhood of about 300 homes with five different product lines. In my short time with the company I’ve been able to work with a lot of terrific people and gained considerable knowledge.

As you start to interview for jobs, I recommend that you find the company that will be the best fit for you both. Consider both the tangible and intangible benefits.  Consider each firm’s culture, growth opportunity and reputation. I wish you all success in your future careers. [ return to top ]