Many freshmen students start out college undeclared; they aren’t sure what they want to major in and hope to use their first year to find something they want to study. Unfortunately, a lot of students take up to 2 years to decide on a major. They may even switch majors several times up into their junior year. This wastes a lot of time and money, and it can significantly delay graduation.
It’s not unusual for students that are uncertain of their path to take a little time off from college while they reassess their options. If taking this educational break isn’t realistic for you, it’s worth performing some research to discover a major you feel suits your personality and priorities. You’ll find the sooner you declare a major you’re passionate about, the more you’ll be able to commit to the classes you need to graduate. This allows you to stay on track to graduate on time.
If you’re interested in exploring some of the varied careers in construction management, you’ve come to the right place. This feature on careers in construction management is just one in our series, “Undeclared,” which explores potential career options in different specializations, from handling complex projects to managing day-to-day operations.
A Degree in Construction Management
Construction management is often misunderstood as a career title in and of itself. But it is actually a relatively varied discipline. After all, any construction project involves a range of activities and risks. Not to mention that the infrastructure that sets projects in motion and maintains productivity throughout also requires solid management knowledge. It’s a complex field and requires dedicated study and guidance to perform in a professional capacity. This is where a major in construction management is so valuable.
As with any degree, you’ll begin with the absolute basics. You may have gained some engineering and scientific principles in high school or even worked on some construction jobs. But this major operates on the assumption of no experience in the field. You and your fellow students will get to embark on the journey and discover the nuances of construction management together. You’ll develop practical design and planning abilities. You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of the material, safety, and administrative requirements of building projects. Most courses will also have an internship element built in to give you hands-on experience with construction management.
Construction Superintendent
A career as a construction superintendent will see you take a leadership role over the entirety of a construction project. From the initial ideation stages to post-delivery assessments, you’ll be closely involved with making certain everything runs smoothly, on time, and on budget. An important part of the role is arranging inspections and making certain activities conform to safety and quality standards. You’ll also be instrumental in handling challenging worker interactions. Disputes can arise between construction professionals and departments. Solid communication, planning, and organization skills are vital to resolving and avoiding such conflicts. The expertise you gain through education and internship will be invaluable here.
Construction superintendents can enjoy diverse options of employment. Most professionals in this role work exclusively with a specific construction company. However, as you progress further in your field, you can operate on a freelance or consultancy basis. There are also opportunities to specialize. You can focus on residential projects, commercial properties, city planning, and infrastructure, among others. The average salary you can expect to pull in sits at around $85,324.
Your journey to becoming a superintendent begins with gaining a relevant bachelor’s degree. Majoring in construction management will usually provide you with the skills and industry knowledge required. But you can also enter the role with a degree in engineering. From here you’ll also be expected to complete at least 3 years of employment in the construction industry before taking a leadership role. As such, the internship aspect of a construction management major can open doors here.
Project Manager
A project manager is another career path that can see you take a leadership role from start to finish of construction. You’ll collaborate with professionals — such as architects, contractors, and developers — to ensure good progress on construction. Unlike a superintendent, a project manager doesn’t tend to operate on-site. But this doesn’t mean you won’t have any influence.
You’ll interview and select key staff, select the most appropriate materials, and monitor progress throughout. There’s also a significant amount of risk management required to ensure you can mitigate the potential hazards of each project. This involves regular assessments to identify the various types of risks — human, location-based, and physical. Not to mention you’ll be tasked with designing and communicating prevention measures to contractors.
Most construction project managers are self-employed. They work with construction companies and developers as clients on a project-by-project basis. Though, once you develop solid relationships with developers, this can make for a stable long-term career path. The average salary here falls at around $91,370.
Engaging in a career as a project manager generally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. A construction management major tends to give you the best insights into the aspects of infrastructure and technical expertise required to perform well in the role. But, again, it’s also acceptable to hold a degree in engineering or architecture. In a largely independent leadership role, you’ll usually be expected to have at least 5 years of construction experience.
Field Engineer
The role of a field engineer is one of the most fascinating construction jobs you can pursue with a construction management major. Much like the other roles in this guide, you’ll be tasked with overseeing projects from start to finish. But the projects you’ll be involved with are often more complex and integral to the infrastructure of communities. As such, you can be involved with the construction of roads, dams, airports, and bridges, among others. Some of the basic duties of this role involve creating schedules and monitoring productivity. But you’ll also be conducting environmental and feasibility studies, inspecting equipment, and collaborating with government clients.
The type of employment here often depends on your focus. Many construction field engineers choose to specialize in specific areas. You might operate as an expert on bridges or water treatment facilities. Alternatively, you could focus on certain aspects of field engineering, such as city planning or risk management. As such, you’ll usually be on staff for companies or government departments focused on those types of projects. The average salary is around $65,328.
Construction field engineers are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or engineering management. There is also a significant experience requirement here. Many employers expect their field engineers to have up to 10 years of history in engineering roles. Many also prefer you to gain licensing as an engineer.
Conclusion
Construction management is an incredibly diverse field. As such, you’re able to specialize in areas such as field engineering or project management. Even if you’re unsure of what career trajectory to follow, it’s still wise to attend college so you can gain a better understanding of your passions and explore areas you might not otherwise. Choosing the right college major is a big step in building a career you enjoy. Who knows, you might just find that construction management is right up your alley!
