MEET CM JORDAN
Finding My Path in Construction Management
Hi, I am CM Jordan. I don’t know if I was always meant to be a Construction Manager, but I’m sure glad I found it. I’m confident it’s going to provide me with a good life, and it’s something I enjoy doing… most of the time. I’m not going to lie—there are days when the environment or the people I have to work with make me question everything. It’s confusing because, back in school, everyone was great. But out here on the site, it feels like I’m in a different world altogether.
My Father’s Silent Struggles
My dad was a laborer for one of the biggest companies around, so I heard stories about how he was treated, though he never told me directly. I remember hiding in the hallway, hearing him talk to my mom, saying how hard it was, how tired he felt, and how no one treated him with respect. But as soon as I stepped out from the shadows, the conversation would change. Looking back, I think he was trying to protect me from the harsh realities he faced.
The Impact of My Mother’s Absence
Eventually, it all became too much for my mom, and she left. She didn’t have much to do with us after that, which left me with responsibilities way beyond my years. Growing up in a small, predominantly white town in the Midwest didn’t make things any easier. My Asian and African American heritage made me stand out, and not in a good way.
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School: A Battlefield of Identity
School was like a battlefield. While other kids bonded over shared experiences, I was always on the outside, enduring taunts and bullying from people who didn’t understand me. But instead of letting it break me, I developed a deep resolve to rise above it all. It changed a bit when I got into sports and was able to bury some of their harassment with my success.
Becoming the Protector
My dad was a man of few words, and he worked tirelessly to provide for us. As a single parent, his long hours meant that I often had to care for my three younger sisters. That responsibility, though overwhelming at times, shaped me. I became fiercely protective of them, vowing to shield them from the cruelty of the world I had to face every day. This protectiveness has extended beyond my family and become part of my character —I have developed a desire to stand up for the underdog, no matter the cost. It might get me into some trouble but I’ve decided, better to be in trouble for what you believe in than be a follower of the weak bending to the weight of whoever is the loudest.
Becoming a Construction Manager
It has all brought me here to this point.? I am here to make my dad proud, and be available to support my sisters however they may need me.? I’m excited to start my journey as a Construction Manager and know that there will be some interesting experiences to share with you as I move from campus onto the jobsite and up through the ranks of site management.