Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management shines the spotlight this semester on graduating senior, Joseph Begue. Coming from Cameroon and speaking no English, Begue first arrived in the U. S. in October of 2014. He continues to work on overcoming one of his biggest challenges, which is learning the English language. Upon arrival in the U.S. his goal was to pursue a master’s degree, and essential to that was learning English, as quickly as possible.

Roots in Cameroon

Growing up in Cameroon, Begue explains that one has the option of choosing a field of study from a very early age. He joined the construction industry upon completing primary school. He graduated high school with a high technical school diploma in civil engineering. He then attended the University of Cameroon to be a civil engineering teacher. He taught high technical school in Cameroon, while simultaneously working as an assistant engineer, mostly doing basic construction design, construction estimates, cost analysis, and also surveying work from time to time, when necessary.

Begue attributes his grandfather with teaching important life values such as humility, believing in something bigger than yourself, love, forgiveness, patience, and endurance. Because his grandfather had hopes on him becoming a priest, Begue attended seminary while also working on his civil engineering degree at the university. His grandfather believed, “Being a priest is good, but being a priest with skill is much better.” His grandfather also built his own house, so instilled in Begue his love of construction.

“I told [my grandfather] once that the walls in his house were not leveled,” said Begue. “He replied, ‘that’s why I have you. You need to go to school, get a degree, come back here, and teach real stuff.’ I spent my childhood learning from him and sometimes my stepdad. But my grandpa was my number one cheerleader. He trusted me and believed in me.”

Coming to the United States

Because education is not free in Cameroon and there are no such things as student loans, upon arriving in the U.S., Begue immediately entered the workforce in order to send money home for the education of his family members: brothers, sisters, and cousins. Begue wanted them to have both the education and healthcare he felt they deserved.

He worked some tough jobs. “I used to work at the beef factory in Fort Morgan,” said Begue, “for more than 40 hours a week, and going to school as well, which was not easy. I was in charge of driving the work bus, Monday to Friday, picking employees up around 1:30 p.m., taking them to work, and bringing them back around 3:00 a.m. I had to be in school by 8 a.m., at the latest.”

His first construction job in this country went well, according to Begue, even though he was fired after one month! He explains, “I was hired as a laborer but ended up teaching field engineer surveying technique. The superintendent said I was smart, so being a laborer was not for me. He suggested I go back to school, get my degree, and come back. I wanted to do what I loved to provide for my family back home. So, that’s how I decided to go back to school to get a degree.”

Finding the CSU CM program

Due to his engineering background, construction management was not Begue’s first choice. He pursued his study of engineering and attended the Colorado School of Mines. However, due to the expense and also the language challenge, Begue began to explore options. In Cameroon, he explained, a civil engineer does a variety of jobs in the industry. Reading about the CM program, he realized it was more fitted to him.

Begue calls his time at CSU in the CM program amazing, stating that faculty and staff members are very supportive. He appreciates that so many have industry experience that serves to enhance the teaching experience, in his opinion. He considers CM program completion as his biggest achievement to date.

During his time as a student, Begue was a member of the Associated Schools of Construction concrete competition team that was awarded 2^nd place this year. Begue recognizes the support of his team members and classmates as exemplary. He believes they worked hard to understand him, as he honed his English language skills.

Begue interned with Adolfson-Peterson Construction, and appreciates the good learning experience. His superintendent learned to trust Begue and placed him in charge of project administration and safety. During his internship, Begue was able to earn his certificate as a stormwater manager, and his OSHA 30 safety certification. The experience affirmed to Begue that he was in the field of study he was designed for, doing what he liked.

“Construction is a part of me,” said Begue. “I like saying concrete is in my veins. Not claiming to be an expert, I started from the bottom level and rose to where I am now. I love learning and believe that education is the most powerful weapon in the world.”

In addition to his passion for construction, Begue has many other interests. He loves playing sports: volleyball, soccer, and running marathons. He is an avid reader, especially on the topics of philosophy, metaphysics, and anthropology. He also speaks four languages: his native French, Spanish, Italian, and English. He knows some Latin, a little bit of Arabic, dialects from all over Africa, and reads some Greek.

Future plans

Begue’s goal is to become a teacher one day in the United States. In fact, he is working on a step-by-step surveying handbook for launching younger students just entering the field, both here in Colorado and outside of the U.S. Post-graduation Begue hopes to work in the industry for at least three years before coming back to higher education.

His advice to others incorporates much of what he knows a great deal about: “Believe in something,” said Begue. “Believe in yourself, be humble, be patient for your time is coming. Never give up; make friends with failure for it sets you up for success. Don’t be afraid of challenges, ask questions, and know that the only bad questions are the ones we don’t ask. Remember, success depends on self-discipline and sacrifice. But first and foremost, always remember, you can do it.”

The Department of Construction Management is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.