4 Things To Know Before Getting a Construction Management Degree

What is a construction management degree?

A construction management degree from a college or university will teach you all of the facets of construction management Rowayton, from planning to budgeting to coordinating a workforce. Over the course of acquiring your construction management degree, you will learn how to manage a project from the concept phase all the way to completion and delivery of the project.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the upsides and downsides you should consider before deciding to pursue a construction management degree.

1. Upside: Employers (and customers) often demand it

You may have on-the-job experience, but many employers want a bachelor’s degree. Lacking a degree may not disqualify you automatically, but in today’s hyper-competitive job market you’ll likely be pitted against other candidates with degrees. If you don’t have one, you’re facing a losing battle.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction managers “typically must have a bachelor’s degree” in addition to on-the-job training, with large construction firms in particular demanding a degree in construction management or a related field.

Even if you own your own business, you may find it easier to attract customers if you have a bachelor’s degree to point to as proof of your credentials.

(via Pixabay)

2. Downside: On-the-job experience is often more useful

Not every construction manager is passing their resume around. If you own your own business or are happy at your current place of employment, it may make sense to eschew a construction management degree in favor of learning on the job. Once you’re established in the industry, you might not gain enough additional knowledge from a degree program to make it profitable.

If you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt, consider identifying some weaknesses or opportunities for improvement and finding a few online classes or good construction management software to solve them.

If you’re thinking about starting your own construction management company, consider becoming an apprentice for a few years first instead of jumping right in or shelling out for a construction management degree. You’ll likely gain more practical experience and get paid to do it instead of going into debt.

3. Upside: A degree can be a huge boost to experience

While what you learn in the classroom can’t replace actual on-the-job experience at a construction site, you can combine the two for maximum effect.

In a college course, you’ll learn different systems and techniques to run a project more efficiently and in a more organized fashion.

A degree lets you hit the ground running, rather than fumble around while slowly learning through trial and error.

Sometimes, it’s best not to reinvent the wheel. College can teach you things about construction management you’d never guess just from working in the field, or at least not right away.

4. Downside: Getting your degree may require working an unhealthy amount of hours

If you’re like most people who have to work while earning your degree, it won’t be long before you’re burning the candle at both ends. Working construction during the day and taking classes at night will take a toll, both mentally and physically, so you have to ask yourself if it’s really worth it.

Chronic sleep deprivation is unhealthy for your body and mind. Numerous studies, including a recent one conducted by UCLA, have found that sleep deprivation disrupts brain-cell communication. This means costly mistakes while on the job, and poor retention of your expensive classroom learning.

SOURCE — https://blog.capterra.com/4-things-to-know-before-getting-a-construction-management-degree/

ABOUT BEACON PROJECTS GROUP –

The Beacon Projects Group was incorporated in the year 1994. We aim to provide oversight and coordination as a construction manager of a construction project from an owner’s perspective.

We act as the owner’s representative for your project who will guide you in every step of the way. With over 25 years of experience, we act on your behalf and help you navigate through the complexities of the complete building process so that your goals are achieved with minimal disruption and total satisfaction.