With today’s ever-growing demand for increasingly sophisticated infrastructures, a career in Construction Management shows no signs of stopping. And because construction managers are so integral in leading construction projects through every phase of development, their value in the job market continues to rise exponentially and they have many career opportunities.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of entering this burgeoning field and how earning your bachelor’s of science in construction management or online master’s in construction management can provide you with limitless potential in your professional endeavors.

What is a Construction Manager?

Highly sought-after professionals that perform in every aspect of the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) field for construction companies or construction firms. Construction managers must be versatile, innovative multitaskers with strong leadership skills.

Although not all managers have bachelor’s degrees (in lieu of construction experience), there is a growing standard for a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree for a construction management career. That is why it is important to consider learning how to become a construction manager and entering a construction management degree program to become prepared in this field. Long gone are the days of a high school diploma being sufficient for starting entry-level positions.

Construction Manager Job Sites

Some of the job site parameters of the industry they work in may include:

• Residential Building Construction
• Commercial/Office Buildings
• Specialty Structures
• Design Elements (remodeling/designing the interiors and exteriors of buildings)
• Development (e.g., urban/city planning; restoration; repurposing buildings and the surrounding spaces)
• Civil & Highway Construction (bridges, tunnels, roadways, dams, canals etc.)

Construction Manager Job Duties

• Interpreting & explaining plans, blueprints and contract terms to other workers, administrative staff, firms, and clients representing the developer or building owner
• Reviewing and inspecting each phase of a construction project in order to monitor the observance of building & safety regulations and other compliance codes
• Scheduling projects in chronological order and budgeting time & resources required to meet client deadlines
• Studying job specifications and client stipulations in order to determine appropriate construction methods

A Career In Construction Management: Endless Possibilities

Earning your degree in Construction Management is valuable to your career in a variety of ways. Besides providing job stability and enabling you to increase your earning potential, it also allows entrepreneurial types to take on a position that can help benefit society and the environments we live and work in. Listed below are some of the advantages you can enjoy with a Construction Management degree:

1. Competitive Salary: One of the obvious benefits of a degree in Construction Management is the ability to earn a significant income. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary as of 2016 was $89,300 for construction managers; this is an above-average income. Of course, the construction manager’s average salary will vary based on work experience. Senior managers will receive a higher salary pack compared to construction management graduates just starting off in the field.
2. Strong Job Forecast: BLS statistics also report that the employment of construction managers is projected to grow up to 16% by 2022 – faster than the national average job growth for all occupations. This is great news for recent college grads looking to join the workforce, as well as CMs who are seeking advancement opportunities in their career.
3. Employment Satisfaction: As a construction manager, you can enjoy the satisfaction of pursuing a career path that is not only the result of years of hard work, training and secondary education, but built on your sense of creativity, leadership skills, and passion for the industry. Additionally, the buildings you’ve constructed and projects you’ve managed will undoubtedly bring you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
4. Job Stability: Due to the increasing demand for new construction and remodeling/repurposing of various commercial and residential infrastructures across the country, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported a projection in job stability over the coming decade for those in the construction industry. Additionally, the BLS has noted a trend, stating that employers tend to hire prospective candidates who hold both a degree and possess on-the-job training. For those seeking job growth and job security, this is yet another reason why earning a degree in Construction Management is highly advantageous.
5. Leadership: Because you’ll be assuming a vital role as a decision-maker, your leadership abilities will be a core aspect of your daily routine. For individuals who desire a career that demands decision-making and authority as a major part of their job description, an occupation as a construction manager can be both advantageous and rewarding.
6. Autonomy: For those who appreciate a sense of independence and thrive in roles where initiative is key, a position in construction management can offer a great deal of autonomy. Entrepreneurial individuals who are self-sufficient, naturally driven and able to multitask will appreciate the demands of this career path.
7. Intellectual Growth: Besides fulfilling your desire for leadership and independence, a position as a construction manager is also intellectually rewarding, as it challenges your ability to problem-solve on a daily basis. Furthermore, it utilizes a great deal of creativity and thinking out of the box, which many individuals find very gratifying on a personal and professional level.
8. Rapid Career Advancement: Receiving your degree in Construction Management almost guarantees you will be awarded high levels of responsibility right out of college – many CMs are managing multi-million dollar projects early in their careers.
9. Travel: Another benefit of a career in construction management is the ability to travel, as the job often requires journeying outside of one’s home base to work on projects. This holds particularly true for CMs who reside in smaller and/or less populated areas. Depending on the length of the project and distance from one’s home, some CMs are required to stay in mobile facilities for several weeks or even months at a time. While this may be seen as a disadvantage to some, others may enjoy the opportunity to see different parts of the country, or even the world if the job site is international.
10. Honing Your Skills: Earning a degree in Construction Management will not only secure you a high-paying position and job stability but also enable you to expand your knowledge and expertise in the construction trade. Through on-the-job undertakings and the challenges that different projects present, you will learn invaluable career experiences that will allow you to become an efficient problem solver as you lead organizations – and ultimately transform the world we live in.

Students interested in pursuing a construction management major should consult their high school or college advisor regarding career opportunities, required construction management courses, and internships.

For more information on earning an undergraduate degree in construction management or a master’s in construction management at NewSchool, contact our Enrollment Team.