These professionals generally need a bachelor's degree and related work experience, and the employment outlook for the field is good. Note - it's a long road to becoming either. Also, I would try and get experience (I cannot fucking say this enough, GET INTERNSHIPS) with vertical rather than horizontal construction firms (heavy civil). Construction management, or CM, is a complicated and constantly evolving field. Of course having hands on experience is always a plus.....several routes to get into CM work....engineering and architecture to actual CM degrees....The best CMs I have worked with over the years have been civil engineers, architects, and construction people who went got a degree in CM. You are going to get paid extremely well. Press J to jump to the feed. To be the best possible construction manager and remain competitive, you will have to have a firm understanding of everything from construction fundamentals to leadership and project management, as well as a thorough grasp on local laws and building codes. Do not pursue this career path if you don't like people - you will work with a wide-ranging assortment of them, from laborers to execs, and you need to be able to get along with and get what's needed out of all of them. Just from my experience, if you're chasing the money then I would recommend staying out of the residential sector. He did receive bonuses for jobs completed early or on which they made a good … My Construction Management Degree felt like half business degree, half construction related. During project management career, each project will be a learning experience for you to grow your career. There is a huge demand for certified project management professionals. Starting salaries are generally high, but you can expect an extra $3k or so in per diem. What Is Construction Management? He did very well financially at both companies, but the hours were very long. You can always go back to school after a few years but a CM degree isn't needed if ur gonna start as a PC and you already have a civil engineering diploma. I do linear projects (underground transmission lines), and I have to be knowledgeable in geotech/foundations, survey, CIP & precast concrete, general civil/earthwork, seismic, steel structures, trenchless, some transportation and electrical. Construction managers and professionals are highly employable because any delays in either public or private building projects can cost far more than leaving them unfinished. Pretty much everyone I know in the program has had the same experience. Out of curiosity, where are you seeing job listings for apms starting at 90k? Spend some time on an experience based resume, and be honest with the employers. Despite the changes in the job market, careers in construction management are growing more and more competitive, but the manager position remains an essential job in the construction field. Lots of them move on to make bank. Safety management. But hopefully this list will help you understand some of the advantages, and potential disadvantages, to working in the skilled trades. which MBA program exactly to you recommend , and what kind of postions and jobs i may be in with each one (either with an MBA degree that you will advise or Construction management). Armed with the above, here is our take on the fastest growing careers in the construction industry. You can still become a CM or construction project manager with an engineering degree, and it'll give you the added flexibility of a design path, if construction doesn't pan out. Combined that with being involved in events such as the Associated Schools of Construction competition and internships as a project engineer then that should put you in a good spot by the time you graduate. If you're looking for a PM job, the degree will likely expedite the process. 1. Construction requires travel and long hours. Lots of people get hired with a CM degree. Check out the bls website for construction management for more data. Conglomerates like AECOM practically do shit all over the world, while companies like Swinerton still pull in bank but operate primarily on the West Coast. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of building my own house and knowing the ins and outs of construction. Many in the workforce agree that email occupies a significant amount of time spent during the workday. There are two paths- one is through engineering (or perhaps quantity surveying/ contract administration,) the other is on the tools. After the economic recession, careers in construction management have taken a significant hit, as companies have implemented budget cuts that eliminate staff and contract work. Five Career Paths for Construction Management 1. Careers in Building and Construction are a great place to develop your technical, negotiation and time management skills, work on a variety of exciting projects and even build your own business. Hey everyone, I'm currently a freshman in college having an incredibly hard time deciding a career path. I have a two year diploma in civil engineering and a carpentry ticket, worked on sites my whole working life (6 years), and in my opinion that theoretically should be enough to walk into an entry level management job, however now I'm honestly confused if one even has to have any field experience to be a manager, since the job mostly entails being a bookkeeper. With the rise in construction starts and investment means an increased need for labor. The U.S. Department of Labor: The DOL maintains career resources that can help you start a career in many fields, including construction. There’s good job security. So it can be done! If you already have an associate's in CE I would just get a bachelor's in it. This course is designed to give you an advanced knowledge of building projects to allow you to provide advisory, administrative and management services for the construction of large, high-rise and complex buildings. Press J to jump to the feed. Pay will always be good. It sounds like you have plenty of experience to at least get a project engineer gig with a GC today. Find Training Programs and Jobs Google: For jobs that require training or an apprenticeship, you can often find programs in your area using Google.Search for jobs using the terms "apprentice" or "trainee" and the location where you want to work. Having a tangible body of work is the most frequently cited reason for enjoying construction. Construction managers must identify and eliminate possible hazards for the safety of everyone on the job site. CM definitely narrows your options, at least starting out. Your opinion is correct and if you shopped around for a Project Coordinator job you could get it easily enough. A facilities manager has a number of responsibilities in the management of services that support the foundation of an organization. Thank you all for your responses! It also depends on what you want to end up doing. Would you recommend it now? See all construction jobs. As new project manager over about 7 mil worth of projects right now with goals to run my own company I feel it was very relevant to what I do. What's the salary like for a PC with 5yrs experience? Demand will vary but overall construction management is a pretty stable profession. Of course with every bachelor degree the first couple year's you have to take gen ed courses like environment, English, etc, but that's just college, not everything is useful. I love that you can indulge your interests in weird cat memes … CM definitely narrows your options, at least starting out. Construction of water treatment, power, chemical, and similar facilities pays extremely well and offers great opportunities to travel and build cool stuff. A good construction manager is constantly on top of costs and makes the necessary adjustments when unexpected complications or issues arise. If you're in a city with a good economy or are willing to move you shouldn't have trouble finding a job, but then again the construction industry fluctuates a lot. Is that true about Vancouver? These are very rough estimates that will be impacted by your company and location. Tal… It can be stressful depending on your personality and the team around you - there will be pressure to meet deadlines and stay under budget, but it can also be very enjoyable if the people around you don't take themselves too seriously. If you're considering CM vs engineering, personally, I'd go for the engineering degree. Complete a qualification such as the Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC60212). Start looking at ENR magazine's top firms for your area and start checking their internship openings. Alright, let’s dive into the pros and cons of working in construction. What major would do me best as far as flexibility in the job market? But if you do decide to go for the 4 year CM degree it definitely wouldn't be irrelevant and would make you a more valuable hire. Also- student loans will rape you. Carpentry, concrete, steel, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, equipment operators, etc. I know ours lets non-students attend for a small fee. Median annual salary: $93,370. Think twice... 15000 for 4 years is a great price. I did take classes on construction law, business law, scheduling, estimating, construction systems, OSHA, that taught me things I use every day. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A place for professionals to discuss the construction industry. Everyone from residential contractors to commercial construction companies are looking for young people that are will… This article from Huffington Post found that workers spend 3.2 hours on average on work emails per day.The construction project managers we interviewed fell in line with this finding.Of the 17 project managers who responded to the question “How many hours per day do you spend on emails to and from your team?”, the average response was 3.02 hours. A lot of employers want the experience because that's what really matters and the degree because it looks good on paper and shows you're willing to pay your dues. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. What major would do me best as far as flexibility in the job market? There is a big boom in construction right now that is being fueled by the low oil prices. It's more versatile and a lot of jobs call for either a CM or CE degree. By the time you graduate there might not be many jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that between 2018 and 2028, construction management jobs will increase by 46,200 jobs, which is … According to the BLS, employment of construction managers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026 , faster than the average for all occupations. 1) The Pros (Good) of Being a Construction Worker. Job opportunities for construction managers are expected to be good. Just about every potential employer lists a bachelor’s degree in their job requirements, including those looking to hire construction managers.But, do you really need a construction management degree to get ahead in this industry?. Small town here- completely worthless id rather have hands on experience than a degree. The good news for those considering a construction job is that the industry is hitting its stride. If travel is required and they pay for COL and/or you're in a high COL area I could see those numbers, otherwise those numbers seem pretty high to me. Construction managers oversee the overall construction project. I love it, that's why I'm still in construction management. My university hosts one per semester, and you're pretty much guaranteed an internship assuming you can hold a conversation. Project management is a good career choice as being a project manager you can have a good living. Construction managers, also called general contractors, are responsible for planning, budgeting and supervising construction projects. It is also a well-paid job, with median salaries 30% above the average wage in Australia. I've gone to two, and walked away with my first pick company two summers in a row now (both $15/hr). But since you have good experience and some sort of a degree from somewhere then you should be fine. Yes it is, because the demand for construction managers is growing with increase in overall construction activities. Even if the degree isn't 100% related. If you're in a city with a good economy or are willing to move you shouldn't have trouble finding a job, but then again the construction industry fluctuates a lot. If the answer to these questions is yes, then a career as a Construction Manager could be right for you. It really depends on what you want to do. Additionally, construction managers earn significant incomes and assume a large leadership role in building projects. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing your replies! Specifically, jobseekers with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, coupled with construction experience, will have the best job prospects. The demand and stability vary by your location, the type of work you are focused in( heavy civil vs commercial), and how well the economy is. If you’re in the process of studying to become a construction manager, definitely check out this book. Job opportunities for construction managers are expected to be good. I honestly can't figure out if its a worthwhile degree or one of those scams designed to milk money out of students and taxpayers? You won't sit in an office all day, since you will need to walk the field frequently, but I'm not going to lie - it's still an office job, and 80+% of your time will be spent in meetings, making phone calls, sending emails, or doing something else at your computer. The work and academic experience of construction engineers lead them into construction jobs. I really like the idea of tangible result and being able to see your work for years and years. Reddit communities reflect how varied, sprawling and ever-changing we are as a society, and as people. In your shoes, I would do some research on local colleges with CM programs, and go to their career fairs. A place for professionals to discuss the construction industry. Being A Construction Worker The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & The Great. This is addressed to anyone who has had any experience with a GC or a design-build company: does anyone in this industry even cares about things called "construction management degrees"? There was never downtime, and construction managers were always moved to a new project when their last one ended. As far as the job itself, you will like it if you like construction. With the degree you can relocate and with all of your experience can easily land an assistant project manager job paying @90K right away, Or even a superintendent job at well over 100K, You already have credits so they should help you get some of the classes waived. If you don't think you need it and don't want it, don't get it and try to get a job. Specifically, jobseekers with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, coupled with construction experience, will have the best job prospects. Do you think construction management is a good field as far as demand, stability, and pay? I am a project manager of a mid-level GC and I never received a construction-related degree. Dear Anthony; i am a civil engineer, who graduated a year a go , am pretty confused between MBA and Construction managment . The most flexible major would be civil engineering. Here’s a look at what’s involved in some of the most popular project management career paths – Construction. The Definitive Guide to a Career in Construction Management. To put it simply, your options will only be limited by how hard you’re willing to work, and the impressions you make on those around you in the industry. I work for a major GC. For this, a career in project management is demanding nowadays. Construction Management does not require a specific degree although in South Africa certain institutions such as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology offers a BTech in Construction Management. Is Construction Management a Good Career in 2020? Now whether you should do it after a 2 year civil engineering diploma and years of field experience all depends on how high you want to go. Stick with commercial. Do you want to give “birth” to the idea or do you want to be the one who manages bringing said idea to life. From putting up new shopping malls to fixing the nation’s aging infrastructure, an abundance of construction projects means a need for competent construction project managers. When you are working in a construction management job, you will usually have somewhat of an idea of what is coming, but it can change very quickly. It just depends on your capabilities and the contractors that you want to work for. Has anyone ever worked as or with project managers? Companies like AECOM (which /u/EyeGot5OnIt mentioned) as well as Bechtel, Fluor and KBR are major players in this field. In case you haven’t heard, there’s a major shortage of skilled workers in the trades. The program is part time and around 15000 over 4 years, so I'm just wondering if its worth the effort. Construction or Project Manager – 11% Growth through 2026. Construction management is ideal for someone who has a general interest in building and design. I guess the level of complexity and involvement totally depends on the type of project. Construction management is one of the fastest growing careers in America. Do you think construction management is a good field as far as demand, stability, and pay? By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I look at job advertisements, and its unclear since they all ask for experience. How do you guys get hired? Tell them what you want, and they'll tell you what they're looking for. The median annual pay for the job was $83,860 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is a big boom in construction right now that is being fueled by the low oil prices. If you’re wondering whether construction management training is a good pathway to a rewarding career; the answer is a simple YES. That is, if you can be mobile. High school students or construction professionals looking for their next step should seriously consider a construction management degree . High pay is a positive when contemplating a career as a construction manager. Its a stressful field and you MUST be able to multitask as well as be a "people person". If you want to be based in the field, I probably wouldn't go for the degree. As a current CM student graduating in December, I would say the most valuable part of my program has been the career fairs. I also looked through the classes in the program, and half of them in my opinion are useless (environmental, English, ethics, leadership, etc), so clearly if I study, I'll study for the paper. It's more versatile and a lot of jobs call for either a CM or CE degree. The industry puts an emphasis on experience so you might not hit a lower ceiling than you want to, but then again it could happen since you don't have a 4 year degree, depends on the company. Unfortunately I've recently hurt my back and do not wish to pursue a physically intensive job, and I don't want to sit in an office all day either. I could be ignorant though. If someone is willing to hire you and you can do the job without a degree then win/win. If you're chasing money, go heavy industrial. Job Prospects for Construction Managers. Or even superintendents at 100k? A construction engineer can work as a construction project manager, a construction manager, or a construction engineer manager. Do you like to wake up early as shit to deal with a bunch of fucking morons and assholes fucking up stupid shit all day? Learn More About Upcoming Programs It’s certainly not a decision to make lightly; a four-year construction management degree can cost anywhere from $28,000 to $116,000. This list isn’t comprehensive, because it’s going to be different for each person. They act as an interface between the owners or architects and the construction workers. If you're impatient and want to advance quickly in your profession, CM may not be for you - you likely won't have any influence at the corporate level until your 40s. I think there's a lot more versatility if you learn the craft of how a 16 story high rise is built, rather than how highway's are paved. If you were some kid who wanted to be a project engineer, absolutely you'd need a CM degree. If you never want to go higher than Construction Manager (ie. To me its a very good field and those who excels at it make very good incomes. You have to wake up early and the hours can be long (50-60 hours / week), but not overly so. Anybody working in this field is welcome! Don't forget about industrial. If you or someone you know is considering a career in the construction industry, be sure you know what you're getting into! Agreed - assuming this includes utility work. Much appreciated. Construction Management is a Job that Changes Daily. 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