|
Viviana Gutierrez-Garcia didn’t have a traditional path for earning her Construction Documents Technologist (CDT®) and Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA®) certifications.
Inspired by her husband’s extensive experience in the construction industry, Viviana made a bold transition from nearly two decades in insurance to mastering the intricacies of construction documents and contract administration.
Discover the steps she took and the strategies she used to achieve her goals in this insightful Q&A.
|
Tell us about your career and why you chose to work in this industry. And why earn a CSI certification?
After 19 years in the insurance industry, I shifted to the construction sector, inspired by my husband, who has worked in the architecture and construction industry for 20 years. I started as a construction documents clerk and quickly became interested in expanding my knowledge.
How did you study or prepare for the certification exam?
In August 2023, I began studying for the CDT certification and passed in December. I focused on the AIA A201 - 2017, the Project Delivery Study Workbook, and the Project Delivery Practice Guide. The Workbook was extremely helpful, offering an interactive approach that thoroughly prepared me for the exam.
Building on the momentum from earning my CDT, I decided to pursue the CCCA certification while the information was still fresh. I began my studies in February and passed the exam in May. For this certification, I used resources like the Construction Contract Administration Practice Guide, the Construction Contract Administration Study Workbook, online classes from the Los Angeles Chapter of CSI (LACSI), and flashcards available on the CSI website, which were a very useful study tool.
I am very fortunate to have a supportive supervisor and colleagues who took the time to quiz me with flashcards, which really helped in my preparation for the exams.
How has your certification informed how you approach new projects, especially when managing construction documents and administering contracts?
In my role, I work with various project delivery methods, such as design-bid-build, CMAR (construction manager at risk), and design-build. The knowledge I gained from the CDT and CCCA has significantly enhanced my understanding and confidence in processing different project documents.
Looking for more tips to prepare for an exam? Read all about Alex Murrell’s story.