How to Have a Career in Construction Management

Posted on August 19, 2010


Construction management is the management and technological side of both residential and commercial construction projects. Construction managers will use their management techniques and apply them to the planning, design and construction of a project in order to control the time and cost to complete the project and to oversee the quality of the construction. Janks Construction can help you with all of your construction needs.

Significant Points:

-Construction managers must be available—often 24 hours a day—to deal with delays, bad weather, or emergencies at the jobsite.

-Employers prefer individuals who combine construction industry work experience with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering.

-Excellent employment opportunities are expected, as the increasing complexity of many construction projects requires more managers to oversee them.

Working Conditions

Construction managers work out of a main office from which the overall construction project is monitored, or out of a field office at the construction site. Advances in telecommunications and Internet access allow construction managers to be onsite without being out of contact of the main office. Management decisions regarding daily construction activities generally are made at the jobsite. Managers may travel extensively when the construction site is not close to their main office or when they are responsible for activities at two or more sites. Management of overseas construction projects usually entails temporary residence in another country.

Construction managers may be �on call�—often 24 hours a day—to deal with delays, the effects of bad weather, or emergencies at the site. Most work more than a standard 40-hour week because construction may proceed around-the-clock. They may have to work this type of schedule for days, even weeks, to meet special project deadlines, especially if there are delays.

Although the work usually is not considered inherently dangerous, construction managers must be careful while performing onsite services.

Employment

Construction managers held 431,000 jobs in 2004. Over half were self-employed, many as owners of general or specialty trade construction firms. Most of the rest were employed in the construction industry, 13 percent by specialty trade contractors—for example, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning and electrical contractors—and 18 percent by general building contractors. Others were employed by architectural, engineering, and related services firms and by local governments.

Instructions

1. Determine the level of your construction management education and skills.

2. Decide if you need to go to school to get more understanding of construction management. Some jobs will require a degree to work in construction management but most will not.

3. Study for a degree at a college or university that offers classes pertaining to construction management education. This degree is in construction science and construction technologies. Depending on which college or university you attend, you can earn an associate’s, a bachelor’s, or a master’s degree in construction management.

4. Consider getting paid while earning a degree and also gain experience by enlisting in the military.

5. Become an apprentice to a seasoned construction manager. This will also allow you to earn money while gaining valuable experience. Success comes with hard work in this field.

Tips & Warnings

-You will learn a new language that deals specifically with construction in regards to tools and actions.

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