Guiding the Next Gen Toward High-Paying Careers: A Conversation with “The Construction Mentor”
This story is part of our Skilled AF podcast series, spotlighting diverse and inspiring voices connected to the skilled trades community.
From sweeping shop floors to now leading a business unit at one of the top 5 ENR General Contractor companies in the world, 34-year-old Ryan “Ike” Eisenhauer, also known as Coach Ike or The Construction Mentor, has quickly risen through the ranks of the construction industry—channeling serious Drake “started from the bottom, now we’re here” energy. Outside of his role as a construction executive, Ike is a father of two and the founder of ConstructionMentor.org, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about opportunities in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Through his podcast, social media channels, courses, and coaching, Ike is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation to explore careers in the skilled trades and broader construction world.
In this interview we cover:
Ike’s early start in residential construction as a teenager and how it shaped his career
His path to earning a mechanical engineering degree, which led to an internship designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems for Boston-Logan Airport at 19
Money, money, money… ROI of going into the trades vs. college and how young people (and their parents) need to be thinking about the opportunity costs today
Why the construction industry struggles with marketing itself and what needs to change – i.e. messaging and the messenger
The importance of mentorship, beyond just opening doors, and the impact it had on Ike’s life, especially as a kid who grew up in a turbulent household
The limitless potential in construction careers and debunking common myths about the industry
