What is Construction Management?

Construction management is the process of overseeing building projects. As a construction project manager, your roles would be to lead each construction worker on different projects and manage each construction site. Leading construction projects can take time and require extensive work experience, so it is important to understand the construction process and project management skills. If you consider yourself a leader and want to work in this field, then this may be the career path for you. There are so many careers in construction management you can explore.

Exploring Careers in Construction Management

Now is a great time to get the ball rolling toward a career in construction management by getting your bachelor’s or master’s degree! However, let’s take a step back to see the construction management career path and job opportunities. Construction management careers offer great job stability and the potential for a high salary. With a career in construction project management, you’ll help build and shape the world around you one structure at a time, and make a real impact that you can see.

So, if you’re interested in joining the construction industry, your next question might be about the possible career paths for a construction manager and how to become a construction manager.

How to Become a Construction Manager

Wondering how to become a construction manager? The simple answer is that there are many different directions you can take a construction management career. Just think of all the different kinds of structures that need to be built: homes, skyscrapers, bridges, schools, local bars and restaurants – you name it! Construction managers will be behind them all.

And while there are different types of construction managers for these different kinds of structures – like specialty trade contractors, nonresidential building construction, residential building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction and more – they all do essentially the same thing: manage the construction of the project.

Just like any other job or profession, construction managers will typically have an area of expertise and jobs may require a certain amount of years of experience to apply. However, being a construction manager is much more than just planning a structure and moving on to the next one once the project is complete. Construction management involves many different professional skills, everything from the planning, designing, budgeting and applying construction experience to oversee the successful completion of both small and large-scale construction projects.

Since these parts are typically interrelated, construction managers can have several different roles before, during, and after a building project. This means there are several different options available for those who wish to enter the construction management field. If you love building, creating and/or maintaining structures, take a look at a few of the possible construction management career paths below.

Five Careers in Construction Management

1. Building Surveyor

The primary responsibility of a building surveyor is to submit reports called building surveys. These detailed reports include advice and recommendations on building defects, dilapidation, necessary repairs, preventative maintenance issues, the sustainability of the structures, suggestions for restoration, and upholding local building regulation laws.

Essentially, they make sure every detail of a building’s construction is up to snuff. Individuals who are interested in becoming a building surveyor should be problem solvers who would enjoy fixing any defects to a building’s construction. They must be detail-oriented and enjoy building design and yes, legal codes.  

2. Building Services Engineer

Building services engineers uphold the maintenance portion of a construction project. A building service engineer will make sure a building functions as it should, and be able to design and install improvements where necessary. A building may need services to its acoustics, security, lighting, power, heating and cooling, safety, and more. The building services engineer should be able to tackle all of these issues while keeping sustainability and renewable energy in mind.

3. Facilities Manager

Facilities managers often have more of a behind-the-scenes role, but one that is necessary to keep an organization running. A facilities manager has a wide variety of responsibilities, ranging from the maintenance of a suitable working environment for employees to being involved in the planning and daily operations of a building.

Facilities managers’ work may include being in charge of the cleaning and grounds maintenance of a project, site security, communications and utilities and other responsibilities involved with a project. This role requires great interpersonal skills and the ability to wear many hats at a moment’s notice. Organization is key!

4. Site Engineer

Site engineers act as the supervisors of a construction project. A site engineer will choose the locations on the job site of above and below-ground infrastructure related to a building project. Site engineers help design and plan all projects big and small, from city, highway, rail, and other infrastructure projects, to homes and small businesses.

5. Sustainability Consultant

While a building services engineer must keep sustainability in mind, sustainability consultants push it to the forefront. This is a role for anyone who is passionate about the environment. Sustainability consultants promote sustainable solutions for the infrastructure of buildings and engineering projects.

These people may help rebuild the infrastructure in an urban area or plan oil and gas marine and coastal projects to ensure they don’t harm the environment. Sustainability consultants help develop new residential areas and renovate older structures to make them more sustainable. They will even evaluate a business’s impact on the environment and suggest the restoration or reuse of land and property.

Choosing the right career path in the construction industry can be a challenge, but with a construction management degree, the career opportunities are endless! Contact the Enrollment Team at NewSchool today to learn more about our Online Master’s in Construction Management program and the careers in construction management. Learn how earning a degree in construction can help launch a successful and rewarding career in the construction project management industry.