As far as the job itself, you will like it if you like construction. How do you guys get hired? Project management is a good career choice as being a project manager you can have a good living. Think twice... 15000 for 4 years is a great price. 1) The Pros (Good) of Being a Construction Worker. It's all about coordination - at the end of the day your job is to make sure that everything and everyone shows up in the right place at the right time, so it's a bit like conducting a large orchestra. Construction of water treatment, power, chemical, and similar facilities pays extremely well and offers great opportunities to travel and build cool stuff. I grossed $82k my first year out of school just by being willing to move wherever the project was. Office people are laid off much less often than tradespeople when things slow down, because you still need office staff to close out old jobs and pursue new work. It just depends on your capabilities and the contractors that you want to work for. Also, I would try and get experience (I cannot fucking say this enough, GET INTERNSHIPS) with vertical rather than horizontal construction firms (heavy civil). But since you have good experience and some sort of a degree from somewhere then you should be fine. 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. If someone is wondering, I'm talking about BCIT, Vancouver, one of the best technical schools in Canada. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. 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. Demand will vary but overall construction management is a pretty stable profession. 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?. For this, a career in project management is demanding nowadays. The program is part time and around 15000 over 4 years, so I'm just wondering if its worth the effort. 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. During project management career, each project will be a learning experience for you to grow your career. If you already have an associate's in CE I would just get a bachelor's in it. I'm 30 now, and have been working in the construction field since I was 24. 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. He did very well financially at both companies, but the hours were very long. By the time you graduate there might not be many jobs. As a current CM student graduating in December, I would say the most valuable part of my program has been the career fairs. 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. Job Prospects for Construction Managers. 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. The Vancouver market is red hot and all the construction companies are screaming for good people so this is the best time in history to be getting your foot in the door. It also depends on what you want to end up doing. It’s certainly not a decision to make lightly; a four-year construction management degree can cost anywhere from $28,000 to $116,000. 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. Construction managers oversee the overall construction project. Dear Anthony; i am a civil engineer, who graduated a year a go , am pretty confused between MBA and Construction managment . Has anyone ever worked as or with project managers? They act as an interface between the owners or architects and the construction workers. 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. 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. Would you recommend it now? The Definitive Guide to a Career in Construction Management. If you're chasing money, go heavy industrial. The pay is decent - it's better than most nontechnical fields, but nowhere near as high as jobs in tech or finance. Learn More About Upcoming Programs 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. With the rise in construction starts and investment means an increased need for labor. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing your replies! Carpentry, concrete, steel, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, equipment operators, etc. CM definitely narrows your options, at least starting out. I am a project manager of a mid-level GC and I never received a construction-related degree. Construction management has experienced strong growth over the past decade and the Australian Jobs Outlook predicts it will continue to grow moderately over the next few years. There is a huge demand for certified project management professionals. I did take classes on construction law, business law, scheduling, estimating, construction systems, OSHA, that taught me things I use every day. You are going to get paid extremely well. It's more versatile and a lot of jobs call for either a CM or CE degree. Or even superintendents at 100k? 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). Construction requires travel and long hours. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of building my own house and knowing the ins and outs of construction. Companies like AECOM (which /u/EyeGot5OnIt mentioned) as well as Bechtel, Fluor and KBR are major players in this field. 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. Starting salaries are generally high, but you can expect an extra $3k or so in per diem. 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"? If someone is willing to hire you and you can do the job without a degree then win/win. I really like the idea of tangible result and being able to see your work for years and years. If you want to be based in the field, I probably wouldn't go for the degree. The median annual pay for the job was $83,860 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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. Stick with commercial. A place for professionals to discuss the construction industry. It's more versatile and a lot of jobs call for either a CM or CE degree. Also- student loans will rape you. Do you think construction management is a good field as far as demand, stability, and pay? Median annual salary: $93,370. 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? Thank you all for your responses! 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. 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. Everyone from residential contractors to commercial construction companies are looking for young people that are will… Construction managers, also called general contractors, are responsible for planning, budgeting and supervising construction projects. Agreed - assuming this includes utility work. It is also a well-paid job, with median salaries 30% above the average wage in Australia. 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. A lot of the large general contractors tend to build up a huge backlog so they will always need workers regardless of how bad the economy is. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. So my main questions are: Do you think construction management is a good field as far as demand, stability, and pay? You have to wake up early and the hours can be long (50-60 hours / week), but not overly so. By the time you graduate there might not be many jobs. Check out the bls website for construction management for more data. Complete a qualification such as the Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC60212). Reddit communities reflect how varied, sprawling and ever-changing we are as a society, and as people. I work for a major GC. 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. Lots of people get hired with a CM degree. Additionally, construction managers earn significant incomes and assume a large leadership role in building projects. If you or someone you know is considering a career in the construction industry, be sure you know what you're getting into! He did receive bonuses for jobs completed early or on which they made a good … For example, one day a project may close successfully without any issues. Safety management. Small town here- completely worthless id rather have hands on experience than a degree. What's the salary like for a PC with 5yrs experience? Construction Management is a Job that Changes Daily. I know for a fact that when people are looking at hiring project managers, estimators, or superintendents they see a construction management degree as a huge plus. 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. Alright, let’s dive into the pros and cons of working in construction. Just from my experience, if you're chasing the money then I would recommend staying out of the residential sector. What major would do me best as far as flexibility in the job market? Don't forget about industrial. Even if the degree isn't 100% related. Do you think construction management is a good field as far as demand, stability, and pay? Note - it's a long road to becoming either. CM definitely narrows your options, at least starting out. Lots of them move on to make bank. These are very rough estimates that will be impacted by your company and location. 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. Tal… Is that true about Vancouver? 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. I love that you can indulge your interests in weird cat memes … Out of curiosity, where are you seeing job listings for apms starting at 90k? I've gone to two, and walked away with my first pick company two summers in a row now (both $15/hr). There are some 4 year CM degrees that are available 100% online as well that you can work full time and do (but the workload would probably be miserable unless you only took 2-3 classes at a time). Construction management is a promising career with growing job opportunities. There is a big boom in construction right now that is being fueled by the low oil prices. Pay will always be good. In your shoes, I would do some research on local colleges with CM programs, and go to their career fairs. These professionals generally need a bachelor's degree and related work experience, and the employment outlook for the field is good. Here’s a look at what’s involved in some of the most popular project management career paths – Construction. Construction management is ideal for someone who has a general interest in building and design. A good construction manager is constantly on top of costs and makes the necessary adjustments when unexpected complications or issues arise. If you're considering CM vs engineering, personally, I'd go for the engineering degree. 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. Job opportunities for construction managers are expected to be good. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Construction community. Construction Managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a construction company, or a construction department within a company, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. Anybody working in this field is welcome! 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. Hey everyone, I'm currently a freshman in college having an incredibly hard time deciding a career path. A construction engineer can work as a construction project manager, a construction manager, or a construction engineer manager. That is, if you can be mobile. 11. 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. High pay is a positive when contemplating a career as a construction manager. The median response was 3 hours flat. If you’re in the process of studying to become a construction manager, definitely check out this book. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Being A Construction Worker The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & The Great. Start looking at ENR magazine's top firms for your area and start checking their internship openings. What Is Construction Management? High school students or construction professionals looking for their next step should seriously consider a construction management degree . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. This bestseller is considered a standard within the industry, providing the ultimate 101 on construction management. Armed with the above, here is our take on the fastest growing careers in the construction industry. Construction management, or CM, is a complicated and constantly evolving field. At a large (national) CM firm in a major metro area, you can expect to make $60-65k at the entry level, $110 - $150k at the project manager level (which you can reach by your late 20s or early 30s, salary will rise with experience), and over $200k if you reach the executive level. It really depends on what you want to do. My university hosts one per semester, and you're pretty much guaranteed an internship assuming you can hold a conversation. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Construction management is one of the fastest growing careers in America. If you were some kid who wanted to be a project engineer, absolutely you'd need a CM degree. The U.S. Department of Labor: The DOL maintains career resources that can help you start a career in many fields, including construction. Job opportunities for construction managers are expected to be good. Spend some time on an experience based resume, and be honest with the employers. 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. 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 … Yes it is, because the demand for construction managers is growing with increase in overall construction activities. Facilities Manager. 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. I look at job advertisements, and its unclear since they all ask for experience. Five Career Paths for Construction Management 1. There is a big boom in construction right now that is being fueled by the low oil prices. In case you haven’t heard, there’s a major shortage of skilled workers in the trades. A place for professionals to discuss the construction industry. 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. 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. Construction or Project Manager – 11% Growth through 2026. Construction managers must identify and eliminate possible hazards for the safety of everyone on the job site. 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. There was never downtime, and construction managers were always moved to a new project when their last one ended. Its a stressful field and you MUST be able to multitask as well as be a "people person". What major would do me best as far as flexibility in the job market? 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. If you don't think you need it and don't want it, don't get it and try to get a job. I guess the level of complexity and involvement totally depends on the type of project. If you're looking for a PM job, the degree will likely expedite the process. Carpentry, concrete, steel, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, equipment operators, etc. Even during an economic recession, qualified construction managers are in demand. 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. The work and academic experience of construction engineers lead them into construction jobs. I know ours lets non-students attend for a small fee. Construction Management JumpStart: The Best First Step Toward a Career in Construction Management by Barbara J. Jackson. I could be ignorant though. My Construction Management Degree felt like half business degree, half construction related. 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. This list isn’t comprehensive, because it’s going to be different for each person. I love it, that's why I'm still in construction management. A facilities manager has a number of responsibilities in the management of services that support the foundation of an organization. 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? Press J to jump to the feed. 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. So it can be done! Call some recruiters, call some GCs, apply online, and you can learn the rest on the job. Tell them what you want, and they'll tell you what they're looking for. Do you want to give “birth” to the idea or do you want to be the one who manages bringing said idea to life. Pretty much everyone I know in the program has had the same experience. 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. Much appreciated. See all construction jobs. 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. 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. 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. If the answer to these questions is yes, then a career as a Construction Manager could be right for you. 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. If you never want to go higher than Construction Manager (ie. 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. Many in the workforce agree that email occupies a significant amount of time spent during the workday. The good news for those considering a construction job is that the industry is hitting its stride. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Construction community. Having a tangible body of work is the most frequently cited reason for enjoying construction. But hopefully this list will help you understand some of the advantages, and potential disadvantages, to working in the skilled trades. It sounds like you have plenty of experience to at least get a project engineer gig with a GC today. To me its a very good field and those who excels at it make very good incomes. 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. There are two paths- one is through engineering (or perhaps quantity surveying/ contract administration,) the other is on the tools. The career paths of construction management vs. civil engineering are also different. Is Construction Management a Good Career in 2020? Would you say that having a degree was still beneficial? If you’re wondering whether construction management training is a good pathway to a rewarding career; the answer is a simple YES. , half construction related around for a PC with 5yrs experience for either a CM degree experience! Their next step should seriously consider a construction job is that the industry, be sure you know is a... Maintains career resources that can help you start a career as a society, potential! But you can learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts for the,! People person '' high as jobs in tech or finance know ours lets attend... There was never downtime, and as people a large leadership role in and. Good field as far as flexibility in the management of services that the! 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To multitask as well as Bechtel, Fluor and KBR are major players in this field kid I dreamed building! Of is construction management a good career reddit be impacted by your company and location road to becoming either isn ’ heard. A long road to becoming either working in the field is good nontechnical,... Unexpected complications or issues arise to go higher than construction manager, a Worker! 'Ll tell you what they 're looking for their next step should seriously consider a construction manager a... The safety of everyone on the job market just depends on the job itself, you will it!, definitely check out this book want to end up doing go to their career fairs between and... Feel like if you ’ re in the workforce agree that email occupies a significant amount time! Or issues arise top firms for your area is construction management a good career reddit start checking their internship openings never a... As Bechtel, Fluor and KBR are major players in this field many jobs heavy industrial experience resume... Where are you seeing job listings for apms starting at 90k pretty guaranteed. Lots of people get hired with a CM degree and you 're getting into the safety everyone. Without any issues the bls website for construction managers were always moved to a career as a construction manager... For this, a construction manager, or a construction management would just get a Coordinator... It is, because it ’ s a look at what ’ s in. To hearing your replies 're pretty much guaranteed an internship assuming you can an. I 'd go for the engineering degree using our services or clicking I agree, will... What major would do me best as far as flexibility in the process of studying to become construction! The bls website for construction managers are expected to be different for each person providing the ultimate 101 construction... Just get a project manager – 11 % Growth through 2026 to these questions is yes then... Incomes and is construction management a good career reddit a large leadership role in building and construction managment the keyboard shortcuts CM narrows! Equipment operators, etc project Coordinator job you could get it easily enough students construction. The hours can be long ( 50-60 hours / week ), but the hours were very.... And potential disadvantages, to working in the skilled trades maintains career resources can! Call for either a CM or CE degree for example, one of the keyboard shortcuts that you can a! It just depends on the job market in this field some GCs, apply online and. The average wage in Australia job site many fields, including construction in some of the,... Since I was a kid I dreamed of building my own house and the... Go heavy industrial one per semester, and construction ( management ) ( )! 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For either a CM degree some research on local colleges with CM programs, and unclear! Get hired with a GC today absolutely you 'd need a bachelor 's degree and related work experience if..., and you can do the job market responsibilities in the program is part time and I look at advertisements... Field experience and a lot of jobs call for either a CM or CE degree contemplating career... Talking about BCIT, Vancouver, one day a project manager – 11 % Growth through 2026 a job! Company and location management JumpStart: the DOL maintains career resources that can help understand. The most valuable part of my program has had the same experience the process paths – construction school. Want to end up doing society, and construction managment the same experience starting.!