Is Project Management A Good Career Path
This career is in high demand. The Project Management Institute estimates that the global economy will need 25 million new project professionals by 2030 in order to keep up with demand . A report by Burning Glass Technologies found that there were over 280,000 postings for entry-level project management positions from 2019 to 2020 .
This career path can be a satisfying one for those who enjoy working with people and have strong organizational skills. Planning and starting a project from scratch, collaborating with others to overcome challenges, and seeing your efforts end in measurable success can be hugely rewarding. Project managers can also enjoy being able to work on many different types of projects and learn from each of them, as no two are the same. Some potential downsides include the demanding nature of the job and the emphasis on meeting deadlines.
Pros And Cons Of Construction Project Management
Instead, you can reap the following benefits by hiring a highly skilled and experienced construction manager:
- A knowledgeable someone to guide you through the decision-making process
- A collaborative, non-aggressive delivery team gives you more control over the projects conclusion.
- Purchasing gains that a contractor would otherwise be entitled to.
- Ability to appoint specialised trade contractors on a direct basis
- All trade contractors can be appointed with a degree of flexibility.
- Concurrent activities are included in efficient project planning to shorten the project schedule.
- There is no reliance on a single contractor, which is especially vital in these unpredictable times.
- Involvement with the design team on a one-on-one basis
- Local supply chains are being established.
Cons of Construction Managements Project
Here are Given some Cons about Contruction management Project:
What Are The Requirements For A Construction Manager
Successful construction managers need to be able to:2
- Manage work sites for both new construction and existing projects, coordinating the various site activities
- Oversee and provide direction to general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors, ensuring quality standards are met
- Liaise between engineers, architects, and others working on the project
- Prepare and manage estimates, budgets, timetables, and resources
- Proactively identify, mitigate, and track recurring construction issues
- Adhere to legal regulations, building and safety codes, and other requirements
Don’t Miss: Career Exploration Lessons For Sixth And Seventh Grades
What Is The Career Path For A Construction Project Manager
With more than 120 expanding cities and a population exceeding 1.3 billion, Africa is a continent that consistently needs more housing and stronger infrastructure.4 For developing economies like this, the construction of roads and the installation of reliable electricity transform citizens lives and their business prospects.5
As a construction manager, your job is not limited to a single location. You possess the types of skills thatll allow you to collaborate with many industries, around the world. Knowledge and experience within this industry will expose you to other careers too, such as an architect, engineering manager, civil engineer, property developer or investor, or a health and safety officer.
Top Construction Management Schools

Learning both labor and management skills are a great way to work in construction and have excellent career opportunities for growth and pay raises. We have listed several schools below that offer degrees in construction management. Students are advised to research the schools that interest them, and narrow down the choices to the ones that fit them best. Once that has been completed, students can then apply and choose which school to attend. Remember that it is important to consider factors such as educational offerings, cost, and convenience when choosing an institution of higher education.
Don’t Miss: Free Online Career Development Courses
What Career Paths Lead To A Position As A Construction Project Manager
Construction project managers typically come from an engineering or architectural background and may work in the construction industry for several years before receiving training in management. Those who become construction project managers typically have a degree in civil engineering, architecture or construction management. It is common for those wanting to work as a construction project manager to pursue a Master of Business Administration specializing in the field of construction management.
Top 3 Construction Manager Jobs
- Telecom – Construction Manager – HINGE LLC – Wireless Staffing – Seattle, WA
The Construction Manager will be located in market and responsible for coordination with sub-contractors for the buildout of that market area. The construction manager will work with the radio …
- Project Manager Construction – Construction Management & Development, Inc – Los Angeles, CA
International Project/ Construction Management Firm is seeking a Project Manager for primarily local, day travel across all of the following locations: * Southern California: Los Angeles County …
- Landscape Construction Manager – Molbak’s Garden + Home – Woodinville, WA
Landscape Construction Manager Job Summary: The Landscape Construction Manager facilitates the installation of projects on time and on budget, meeting the Molbaks standards of quality by supporting …
You May Like: Training And Development Career Path
What Does Construction Management Do
Construction Project Management is the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from beginning to completion. CPM is directed at meeting a clientâs requirements to produce a functionally and economically viable project.
A construction manager will supervise and manage contractors and laborers at construction sites in construction management.
They are responsible for addressing emergencies, work delays, or other problems affecting the construction project. From time to time, they meet and discuss projects with architects, specialized trade employees, and civil engineers on projects or upcoming builds.
Construction managers are responsible for overseeing construction projects. They make sure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the specifications set forth by the client.
Construction managers work with a variety of different tradespeople and contractors to get the job done. They also have to coordinate with other departments, such as engineering and architecture, to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Related Post:
How Long Does It Take To Become A Construction Manager
The time it takes to become a construction manager can vary depending on your area of focus, education and training. For most positions, individuals need a four-year bachelor’s degree and at least one year of professional experience under the supervision of a senior manager. Some roles may hire professionals with a high school diploma or associate if they have five or more years of professional construction experience.
Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
Read Also: Colorado Career And Technical Education
With A Degree In Construction Management You Can:
- Become a Licensed California Contractor
- Become a Licensed California Architect
- Become a Certified Professional Constructor
- Continue your education in a Master’s in Construction Management, Architecture, or Business Administration with a construction emphasis
OR…
Enter the workforce in one of the many areas in the construction industry, including positions like:
- Project Manager
What Are Construction Management Degrees
Construction Management degrees can be found at the associate, bachelor, and graduate levels. In high school, students should focus on math, science, and business courses to prepare for a career as a construction manager. Most colleges also require some form of general education distribution as part of their degree requirements.
Associate degrees in construction management provide a basic level of education and are best suited for students who want to gain entry-level construction management positions. Associate degrees usually take two years to complete and cover fundamental topics such as law, business ethics, and mathematics, much like the first two years of a bachelors degree in construction management.
Bachelors degrees in construction management provide more comprehensive education, allowing students to learn about the legal issues that construction managers face and take part in hands-on learning activities such as building scale models. Construction management bachelors degrees usually take four years to complete.
You May Like: Career Goals In Nursing Examples
Duties Of Construction Managers
Construction managers typically do the following:
- Prepare cost estimates, budgets, and work timetables
- Interpret and explain contracts and technical information to other professionals
- Report work progress and budget matters to clients
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other construction specialists
- Select subcontractors and schedule and coordinate their activities
- Respond to work delays, emergencies, and other problems
- Comply with legal requirements, building and safety codes, and other regulations
Construction managers, often called general contractors or project managers, coordinate and supervise a wide variety of projects, including the building of all types of public, residential, commercial, and industrial structures, as well as roads, memorials, and bridges.Either a general contractor or a construction manager oversees the construction phase of a project, but a construction manager may also consult with the client during the design phase to help refine construction plans and control costs.
Construction managers oversee specialized contractors and other personnel. They schedule and coordinate all construction processes so that projects meet design specifications. They ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Some construction managers may be responsible for several projects at oncefor example, the construction of multiple apartment buildings.
Develop Good Relationships With Your Team

Keeping your team safe and happy is essential to your success in construction project management. Grow relationships with your team over time and listen to them when they have issues or need help. Its critical you stay dependable because this is one of the easiest ways to reduce turnover and keep your team around for the long haul.
Henry Escobar, Project Manager at Tellepsen Builders recently reflected on how he has prioritized his team throughout his career.
People are ultimately more important than the tasks I have to do, even though I have to do them. But theres always time to listen to whatever they may be going through, he comments.
Read Also: Career Paths For Police Officers
How Do You Become A Construction Manager
Aspiring construction managers should expect to complete formal education requirements, although these requirements can vary depending on the type of construction manager you want to become.
Most entry-level construction managers begin as laborers, equipment operators, or carpenters and gain experience working on actual building projects before pursuing a career as a supervisor. Construction management degrees help prepare students for leadership roles by teaching them how best to allocate resourcesand complete projects efficiently and safely. An associates degree in vocational-technical education can provide the necessary knowledge to secure an entry-level position as a supervisor.
What Is Facilities Management
Facilities management is a demanding field. It includes everything from leasing, budgeting, and maintaining property and equipment.
According to the International Facility Management Association , Facilities management is the planning, organizing, directing and controlling people, machines, and materials to supply a service.
The IFMA further defines facilities management as a set of skills and knowledge used to manage buildings from small offices to large factories by considering the buildings structures, technical systems, physical security, and operations within an environment that encompasses social needs.
Facilities management is a quickly growing field with many different career paths. It encompasses everything from architectureand engineering to finance, accounting, and marketing. Facilities managers are in charge of ensuring that the building and all its systems are running smoothly.
Facilities management is an important field that is often overlooked. Facilities managers ensure that organizations have a safe, clean, and healthy environment for employees to work in. Theyre responsible for office buildings, factories, laboratories, and other facilities. The position requires experience in general management, human resources, engineering, accounting, and law enforcement.
You May Like: Master’s Degree In Career And Technical Education Online
Career Path: How To Become A Construction Manager
Although industries and economies can slow, one thing is for sure: everyone and every business needs a space to operate from. Construction managers make these spaces happen.A construction manager is a specialization that is similar to, but not the same as, the more general project manager role. Theyre responsible for the control, execution, and planning of a construction project or civil engineering project, from inception to completion.
A construction managers skills are defined by an ability to work with a variety of people, an aptitude for organization, and knowledge in property and construction principles. Whether its a large- or small-scale construction project, youll be required to navigate clients, risks, and challenges. Its essential you gain the right skills to ensure a successful and safe project.
On the Construction Management online short course from the University of Cape Town , youll learn to do just this. Watch the course trailer to find out more.
With the estimated growth for South Africas construction industry dropping from 6.2% to 4.6% due to the effects of the global pandemic, more than ever before, professionals will need the skills to navigate industry complexities and fierce competition. 1
Tenured Project Managers: Making The Leap To The Next Step
Not all construction project managers make the career jump to a director of construction or project executive. However, a person with a genuine ambition take their career to the next level can accomplish their goal with steady hard work and persistence.
If its your ultimate construction career goal and you keep focus and determination, youll put yourself in an excellent position for a promotion one day. While all the above tips will help position you to succeed in your role as PM and beyond, focusing on strategy and remaining patient will help get you to that next level.
Recommended Reading: How To Become Your Own Career Coach
Tips For Beginning And Growing As A Construction Project Manager
When you were four, what did you want to be when you grew up? Maybe it was a doctor, an artist or a firefighter. For many of us in construction, weve always known deep down what we love and what we wanted to be: a builder.
While construction might not have been all of our childhood career aspirations, the majority of those who work in the industry today share a love of building. Its amazing to see parts become wholes, to watch a humming construction site transform from a ground-level pile of materials into a beautiful high-rise, hospital, office building or campus. Even better than participating in the building process is working in construction project management and getting to help direct the organized chaos that eventually produces a cohesive product.
But paving your path in this industry can prove challenging, particularly in construction project management. Our goal? To make that path just a little bit easier.
To help guide your career in construction project management, were here to provide some career tips for project managers. Whether youre looking to make the transition from Project Engineer to Project Manager , excel in your current role as PM or set goals while you make your way to becoming a Project Executive, heres our guide to success.
Key Takeaways:
What Do Construction Project Management Do
The project managers job is to make sure that everything goes according to plan throughout the building phase. Theyre in charge of keeping the project on track, remaining within budget, allocating resources, avoiding scope creep, and assuring quality. They identify threats in real time and communicate with stakeholders.
Also Check: Career Zone California Interest Profiler
Construction Project Managers: The 10000
Construction project management necessitates an aerial view, and this is just as true figuratively as it is literally. It takes a lot of skill and confidence to keep so many moving parts and people synced up, to transition those parts into a well-oiled whole that stays on schedule and budget.
In addition to taking advantage of resources, utilizing new technologies, enhancing communication wherever possible, educating yourself and more, its critical you give yourself the time and support you need to get into a groove. Get enough sleep, ask questions, engage with people you admire and, if its not too much to ask, enjoy the journey along the way. Just remember, from the perspective of many four-year-olds in this world, youre truly living the dream.
Grace Ellis
The Green Property Movement

In more developed economies, keeping up with demand and building new and sustainable infrastructure is key to increasing economic growth.6 This is a demand construction managers need to manage in many countries one which offers great career growth.
The green movement continues to gain traction in both the residential and commercial property sectors, mirroring consumers growing tendencies to consider how they can cut costs through more energy-efficient approaches and lifestyles. Expertise in the field of green construction and property development is one way to safeguard your position in the construction industry of the future.
Also Check: Career Options For Medical Technologists
Keep Clients In The Loop
As a project manager, your reputation within and outside your company and project is critical. Make sure you always prioritize communications and interactions with your owners, so they know whats going on, feel comfortable and trust the work youre doing and eventually sing your praises from the rooftops.
Hone Budget Management Skills
Budgeting is another essential skill of a successful project manager, but not everyone has an automatic feel for it. Take the time to improve your budgeting skills with a study of cost control, monitoring and accounting. Knowing how you are spending and what you can cut, when necessary, can help keep your projects on track and signal to your client/owner that you are doing everything you can to make the project a success.
You May Like: How Do You Start An Acting Career
Work As An Assistant Cm
Apprenticeship is the best experience you can get in the construction industry, so seek a job as an assistant for a construction manager. After a few years, you’ll have the experience that most construction firms would kill for.
This is a step you can’t skip — construction firms won’t pluck you straight out of college and into a construction manager position. They need to know you can handle complex risk management and other aspects of this demanding position.
Put in the work for a few years and absorb the knowledge that comes from working under an experienced construction manager.