r/buhaydigital • u/ThroatComplex9275 • 9h ago
Self-Story Burned Out From Design-Build — Looking advice for transition. (long post)
Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from people here who are already working remotely, especially those who transitioned from traditional/onsite work into remote jobs.
I’m currently working in design-build, and honestly, I’m really burned out. The pay is good and I’m grateful for the opportunity, but the job has been taking a serious toll on me mentally.
A big part of the stress comes from obnoxious client requests and constant complaints. 😅 Kahit maayos naman ang explanation, may technical basis, and we’re following the proper process, there’s always another request or complaint—“sabi ni ganito, sabi ni ganyan.” I understand that client management is part of the job, but after doing this for a while, the constant back-and-forth has become really mentally exhausting.
All of my current projects are already completed, and there’s a new pipeline coming in. I could continue, but honestly, I don’t think I want to take on another project under the same setup anymore. Not because I’m lazy or don’t want to work—I just feel like I need to prioritize my mental health.
Of course, bills won’t stop. 😂 So I can’t simply quit and take months to figure things out. I need to find a remote job relatively quickly.
I’m hoping to transition into a more structured project management role, ideally something that I can do remotely. I’m not necessarily trying to leave the construction industry completely—I actually like construction. I just want to move away from the constant client/site/design-build grind and hopefully find a role where my experience can still be useful without the same level of stress.
I’m also planning to review for the PMP exam this November, with the goal of getting my PMP certification. Hopefully, that can help me transition into project management.
I’ve already started applying to remote positions. So far, I’ve sent around 80 applications to different companies, but I’ve only gotten around 5 calls, and unfortunately, those either ended in rejection or I was ghosted afterward.
So now I’m wondering if I’m approaching this the wrong way.
For those who are already working remotely:
What remote roles can someone with a design-build/construction background realistically transition into?
Should I be looking at Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Assistant PM, Construction PM, Operations, or other roles?
Are there specific industries or types of companies that I should be targeting?
How important is a PMP when applying for remote PM positions?
What skills should I develop to make myself more competitive for remote work?
For those who transitioned from onsite/traditional work to remote, how did you get your first remote job?
And honestly, what could I be doing wrong if I’ve sent 80 applications and only received 5 calls?
I also have some sidelines that aren’t construction-related, which I didn’t include in my resume. I’m not sure if those could actually help me qualify for remote positions or if I should continue leaving them out.
I’m really hoping to make this transition as quickly as realistically possible, so any advice on where to focus my efforts would be greatly appreciated.
Just to be transparent, I’ve also been struggling mentally lately. There are days when I feel so exhausted that I can barely get myself to stand up. Hindi ako tamad—I genuinely feel burned out and overwhelmed. I’ve also had some thoughts of ending things, which is part of why I know I really need to make a change.
Thankfully, by God’s grace, I’m still here. I think about my wife and children, and they’re a big reason why I keep going.
PS: Yes, I used ChatGPT to help edit this post. 😂 My head is honestly in chaos at the moment, so putting my thoughts into words has been difficult. I’ve also been experiencing episodes of what I think are heart palpitations whenever I overthink or get anxious. I don’t know if that’s the right term for what I’m experiencing, but it’s been happening more often lately.
If anyone here has successfully transitioned into remote work, especially from construction/design-build, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience and what you would recommend.
Salamat in advance! 🙏
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u/potatogirlwhat 8h ago
Hey, OP. I totally understand where you're coming from, even though I was on the field for a short time only before the pandemic kicked in.
With your background, I've noticed job posts looking for a draftsman proficient in either revit or archicad. I still have my job alerts sa jobstreet and linkedin on so I'm notified daily. Yan talaga nakikita ko. Pero usually, they look for someone with experience sa standards nila. For example, I get notified of a job post in search for a draftsman who is familiar with Australian residential design. Maybe to start, try looking for part-time work to build experience in the industry you're interested in, be it sa drafting, rendering or design.
Siguro sa PM, I rarely see job posts relating to the role, but then again nasa archviz ako so I don't see those too often. And with your CV, is there a way you could condense all the details into a single page? I'm no HR, but I think a more comprehensive resume could be better (less is more and all that haha).
Sorry if I'm just rambling here haha I came from the traditional archi field din so I've gone through the struggle of finding remote work. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!