Every year, college graduates from a variety of fields enter the field of Construction Management. While this includes people who’ve majored in C.M., the influx of new workers also includes engineers, architects, business/management students and more. By choosing the Construction Management career path, many of these students end up drifting slightly from the field they actually studied. Why is that? What made them choose Construction Management over something else? Is Construction Management a good career path? In this article, we’re comparing the pro’s and con’s of working in C.M. Enjoy!
What Is Construction Management?
The Construction Management career path is fairly broad, given that it exists within the general field of construction. This is mainly because the industry of construction has so many facets to it. With this comes a variety of needs, which we’ll explore below.
Construction Management firms are consultants hired by an Owner, Developer, Agency, etc. to manage and oversee the contractors hired to work on the project. This firm doesn’t perform any actual work themselves, they just manage the process. Many C.M. graduates work for firms like these.
General Contractors are large construction companies that perform “all” of the work needed on a construction project – from beginning to end. They agree to a contract and price, take on the risk and directly procure labor, materials, equipment etc. required to do the work. Many G.C.s actually hire subcontractors to perform most of the work; each responsible for a portion of the overall contract. Many C.M. graduates work for General Contractors.
Then there are specialty contractors and niche services. These companies perform specific tasks and are usually hired by General Contractors as Subcontractors. Some examples include electricians, plumbers, interior finishers, surveyors, inspectors, hazmat, painters, roofers, etc. There are too many examples to list, but many of these small companies have full-time Project Management positions – plenty of C.M. graduates go this route.
One more Construction Management career type worth mentioning are those working for the “Owner”. Owners can be many things – real estate owners, developers, Federal/State/City agencies, large businesses, etc. These are the people paying for the end result. Owners who are frequently pursuing a construction endeavor have their own people on staff to monitor progress, rather than hiring a C.M. firm.
Even within the realm of Construction Management, there are a variety of paths to choose from. Now let’s get into the pro’s and con’s of working as a Project Manager in construction!
The Construction Management Career Path: Pro’s & Con’s
This question is subjective; the answer totally relies on what the individual person is looking for in a career path. While only you can decide id Construction Management is the right career path for you, here are some pro’s and cons to consider:
The Construction Management Career Path’s Benefits
- Excitement: Every Day Is A Little Different; Lots Of Changes
- Pay: Construction Managers Are Paid An Above-Average Salary
- Variety Of Skills: Construction Managers Have Many Skills, Including Technical, Legal and Financial
- Demand: The Future Looks Bright For The Industry
PROMOTION
The Construction Management Career Path’s Drawbacks
- Long Hours: That Excitement May Come At A Cost
- Stress: Deadlines, Delays & Surprises Mean Pedal-to-Metal
- Love-Or-Hate Work Culture: Work Environments & Relationships Are Different
- A Lot Can Go Wrong: Safety, Schedule & Finances Are Carry Risk
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Positive: Construction Management Is Exciting
Construction projects come in all shapes and sizes.
Large projects may take years to finish, but Construction Managers get to be involved with every stage of the process. This means that your focus, priorities and work day will change as the project moves along.
If you work on smaller projects, you’ll likely get to work on all sorts in a relatively short amount of time. You’ll get to see many different scenarios play out, which will help you learn quickly.
It’s also exciting to hit a major deadline or successfully complete a project. There’s an aspect of pride – “I was part of that” – that comes along with the industry, too!
Read Next: Construction Project Team: Roles And Responsibilities
Positive: Construction Management Pays Well
Construction Management pays quite well.
Check out this breakdown from Salary.com. Construction Managers at ‘level 1’ made upwards of $95,000 per year, on average. These employees typically have five or so years of experience when they’re promoted to this level. That’s nearly – or more than – a six-figure salary by late 20’s. Not bad at all.
Read Next: Can An Engineer Become A Project Manager? 5 Realities To Consider
Positive: Construction Management Requires A Variety Of Skills
Construction Managers are jacks-of-all-trades, and masters of many. This is due to the complexity of what it takes to complete a construction project.
Larger projects have contracts involved, with legal obligations and requirements that must be upheld. Contractors and C.M.s must navigate bonds, insurance and other legal terms.
Companies in the construction industry must also create budgets, track profitability and monitor costs – a fair amount of financial analysis is required.
Those in construction must use logic and planning to create schedule and coordinate work sequences, as well.
These are just a few of the many skills possessed by the top Construction Managers.
Read Next: Overwhelmed By Big Projects? 6 Approaches With Metaphors & Examples
Positive: There’s A Demand For Construction Project Managers
The reason is simple – people will always build things. Roads, bridges, buildings, schools, offices, etc.
According to Data USA, the industry of Construction Management is expected to grow by 11.1% in the next 10 years! That national average is 7/1% growth in that time.
By that logic, the amount of growth that’s expected in Construction Management is 50% more than the growth across the board.
There will always be work to do in the future, so those good paychecks will likely keep coming for years to come.
Read Next: How To Estimate Construction Costs: Our Comprehensive Guide
Drawback: Construction Project Managers Work Long Hours
Construction Management requires long hours, but also an unpredictable schedule.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the need to meet deadlines and to respond to delays and emergencies often requires construction managers to work many additional hours. Many construction managers may also be on call 24 hours a day.”
With this in mind, Construction Management is definitely a field to stay away from if you want a steady, 9-to-5 work day.
Read Next: Avoid Construction Management Burnout With These 5 Practices
Drawback: Construction Management Is Stressful
With deadlines, surprises and unpredictability, construction management is a stressful industry to work in.
You’ll likely experience skipped lunches, rushing and running around on a regular basis. It’s a job that requires periods of ‘all-go’ to get things done.
Not to mention, there’s risks involved in construction – personal safety, financial success and successful execution are not guaranteed; they must be pursued and focused on every single day.
Read Next: Is Construction Management Stressful? 7 Causes Of Stress
PROMOTION
Drawback: You May Not Like The Work Culture
With all of this risk and stress comes some other unpleasantries.
Construction meetings can be loud, abrasive and angry when disagreements happen or an issue arises. Tempers flare and egos do the talking.
Everyone has something at stake, so people have their guard up much of the time. It’s not always a feel-good type of work environment.
Speaking of work environment, you may work in a field office at the job site, which is lacking in comparison to a modern office – this includes proper desks, climate control and even plumbing. You’ll be wearing work boots for at least a portion of the day. The environment isn’t for everyone.
Read Next: What Is It Like Being A Construction Project Manager? A Day In The Life
Drawback: A Lot Can Go Wrong
For a construction project to be a success, a lot needs to go right. When things DON’T go right, it’s not exactly pleasant.
For everything to truly go right, the schedule needs to be hit, the budget must be maintained, surprises must be minimized, resources must be allocated properly, the right people needs to be hired for the job, etc. This rarely happens!
If you want to work in Construction Management, it’s essential that you enjoy problem-solving and quick thinking.
Read Next: Our Comprehensive List Of 25 Ways Contractors Lose Money
Is Construction Management A Good Career Path?
Ultimately, this one’s up to you. At this website, we think construction management is a GREAT career path! That said, there are parts of the business I don’t like, even though I recommend the field overall. Based on the information above, what do you think – is Construction Management right for you?
I truly hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!
