Career Building Q&A: Edgar Tarin

Construction is a huge industry with a multitude of career paths. With the Career Building Q&A, we ask some of Pinkard’s longest tenured employees to share stories, advice, and lessons leaned over their own career journeys. In this edition, we spotlight Edgar Tarin, who has risen from concrete laborer to Senior Superintendent and is celebrating his 20th anniversary with Pinkard.

How did you get started in construction?

I didn’t know much about construction, but I always heard my dad, Pepe [who has worked for Pinkard for even longer than Edgar] talking about it while I was still in school. The conversations about building and putting things together definitely caught my attention. After I graduated high school, I asked my dad to get me into construction, and he did.

How did you come to Pinkard Construction?

Pepe introduced me to Pinkard.

Tell us the play-by-play of your evolving roles and responsibilities at Pinkard.

I started as a Concrete Laborer, then worked my way through Apprentice Carpenter, Journeyman Carpenter, Foreman, Field Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Project Superintendent, and eventually Senior Project Superintendent.

What have been some of your career highlights?

I was the first Pinkard employee to complete the full four-year apprenticeship training program from CITC [the Construction Industry Training Council]. I was also nominated by Associated Builders and Contractors to travel to San Antonio and represent Colorado in the Craft Professional of the Year competition.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

Moving up through the field, from a laborer to a Senior Superintendent, came with its own unique challenges and learning experiences.

What’s was your most memorable project at Pinkard?

My most memorable Pinkard project would have to be the Eagle award-winning VIDA at Sloan's Lake for Denver Housing Authority. Not only was it a great-looking building, but it was a project where I had a great team and gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

No matter how bad it gets, it will always get better.

What’s your advice for people navigating careers in construction?

My advice to anyone coming up in the industry would be: Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t pass on opportunities when they present themselves to you.