[Jeepin_XJ_101]

I started a thread not too long ago about civil/mechanical engineers and Construction Management came up. Well I looked into it and I think I may take that avenue instead. I have an appointment tomorrow to meet with one of the counselors at the local School of Drafting and Design, they just opened up a new Construction Management Program. In any case, who wants to talk about Construction Management? Requirements, work environment, what can I expect to get used to with a career such as this. Pay ranges anywhere from 70K-110K/year for this position so I am not complaining there I will now officially open up the discussion

[ionakana]

I have an associates in Constuction Management, it will open doors but I worked my way to where I'm at. I'm a project manager for an electrical contractor. A business degree may serve you better if you're looking at management. I would go on to become an engineer if I were to do things over. Being a PM is a good job though, the pay is good as are the benefits. Then there are the benefits that are not on paper, my suppliers are always taking us to play golf, taking us on fishing/hunting trips, Braves/UGA/Falcons games etc.

[XbajaJeepX]

I too am interested in construction management.....

[kairo]

Originally Posted by XbajaJeepX

I too am interested in construction management.....

Really? Thanks for letting us know.

I enjoy ice cream

[rjt36]

I just switched into Construction Management from Architecture. Long story short, I did 4 years of school as an Architect, then recently switched. I start my first semester as a CM in the Fall.

Only 2 more years to go...woohoo!!!

[tcox]

there is suposed to be a really good CNST management school in denver (top 5).

i am a CM student at Southern Polytechnic just north of Atlanta and its program is also suposed to be in the top 5 in the country. i think auburn and LSU also have similar programs

[RMeak]

I have worked in the construction management field for the last ten years. I do not have a college degree, but I have been management position for almost twenty years. I am probably one of the last "young guys" that you will find on a job site without a college degree these days(in experience not age), it just seems like there has been a push over the last five years to hire college educated personnel to run jobsite, both in the field and office. It is a very worth while field to be in, I make a very nice salary, but I also have experience, something that no classroom can teach.

I work for a G.C. in the Eagle Valley, and we build anything from 5 million dollar homes to 30 million dollar apartment complexes. Right now I am building a bank in Carbondale. One of the things that I love about construction is the ongoing challenge, no day is the same. I can be given a budget and a schedule and be as aggressive as I wish as long as I finish ontime and on budget.

If I was advising someone like yourself on this career choice first I would say stay in school and finish. But more importantly get a job in construction. Start at the bottom as a laborer, work and learn. Don't go into some office and tell them you are a student and need a job as a intern. Most guys hate to teach or can't so the best way is to watch and learn. Some of the best construction managers I have worked with have all been in the trades at one time or another. But it is a challenging field and very worthwhile financially. But i would warn you that the 70,000 to 100,000 mark for a "green" P.M. is pretty unrealistic, usually takes about five years to reach that mark.

[RMeak]

Originally Posted by tcox

there is suposed to be a really good CNST management school in denver (top 5).

i am a CM student at Southern Polytechnic just north of Atlanta and its program is also suposed to be in the top 5 in the country. i think auburn and LSU also have similar programs

I know that a few years ago the University of Denver had an excellent program.

[rjt36]

5 years isn't such a long wait to hit the big bucks

[pamo]

I am a project manager. It sucks.

The money is just money. It won't make your days better.

Get ready for long stressful days.

You will work and stress and work and stress and in the end you will get a day or two of accomplishment when the project is done and then start all over again.

My advice is to not be a construction manager and be a lifegaurd in Dubai.

[RMeak]

Originally Posted by pamo

I am a project manager. It sucks.

The money is just money. It won't make your days better.

Get ready for long stressful days.

You will work and stress and work and stress and in the end you will get a day or two of accomplishment when the project is done and then start all over again.

My advice is to not be a construction manager and be a lifegaurd in Dubai.

Don't know about the lifeguard thing but it is pretty stressful.

[tcox]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/majors/brief/major_52-2_brief.php

here ya go. and university of denver was the one i was thinking of i do believe. ill see if i can dig up that article

EDIT: i found the link i was looking for

http://education-portal.com/articles/Top_Schools_for_Construction_Management,_Carpentry ,_and_Inspection_Programs.html

and i was wrong about what i said earlier, it is the top 3

[iffar08]

Originally Posted by ionakana

Then there are the benefits that are not on paper, my suppliers are always taking us to play golf, taking us on fishing/hunting trips, Braves/UGA/Falcons games etc.

That sucks that they make you go to Braves games....for that reason alone its not worth $70K

[ionakana]

Originally Posted by iffar08

That sucks that they make you go to Braves games....for that reason alone its not worth $70K

The Falcons games are worst! Atleast with the Braves games it's usually during the week, we generally start out at a bar and end up in a strip club.


and like the other guys said, the stress level is high when you are depending on other people who don't see it as important as you do.

70k a year wouldn't get me out of bed!

[Grape Ape]

Remember even with the education you will learn alot from those who are working under you. Experience is worth a lot in construction.

I ran my own business remodeling homes and the management part of it wore me out. I have let it end and went back to work with my tools as an electrician. $70k is decent money but I can work 4 months out of the year and clear that. $70-$120k is decent to start or a bit less with other fringes like health insurance, etc.