Making the right career choice is one of the toughest tasks that young adults have to make. Take, for example, a young person that has always been interested in major construction projects. Chances are that there is someone out there who wants to get into the construction industry, but they are not sure whether a course like construction management is the right way to go.
The good thing is that construction management is the fastest way to get your foot into the door in the construction industry. You might also be torn between civil engineering and construction management, but here is a guide that will help you make the final decision.
What does construction management entail, and is it still marketable?
A construction management degree will provide the necessary skills to help you manage construction projects efficiently. Some of the responsibilities of a construction manager include:
- Working with other construction specialists, such as civil engineers and architects.
- Providing client updates regarding the project.
- Hiring subcontractors and monitoring their work.
- Managing issues, such as safety and delays.
- Keeping track of the project budget and managing expenses.
The difference between construction management and civil engineering
The two courses are quite similar in many aspects, but they are also different, especially when it comes to technical experience. A construction manager mainly focuses on hands-on aspects of a construction project, including managing the use of construction materials and managing the workers. On the other hand, civil engineering deals with project infrastructure, project planning, environmental factors, safety, and permits, among others.
How long will it take to get a construction management degree?
It depends on the region. For example, it takes about three years to study construction management in Europe and about four years in the U.S. A Masters in construction management will take between 1 and 2 years.
Can you study construction management online?
If you have a lot of commitments, but you still want to learn construction management, then online classes are best suited. It is also ideal for anyone that wants to study from a specific university even when they are from a different country without traveling. The beauty of studying online is that it will provide you with the flexibility that you need to do your regular day job and still study.
Construction management jobs
The beauty of the construction industry is that there is always work going on. It is an industry that has been around for hundreds of years and will remain well into the future. This means that construction management jobs will always be in demand.
Construction management jobs also happen to pay quite well. The average salary for a construction manager in the U.S is $77,000 per year. A construction manager’s annual salary is, on average lower than that of a site engineer by less than $10,000, which means that it is still up there within a good range. This means that a construction management degree is indeed a marketable course in 2020, and it is expected to remain that way indefinitely into the future.
