<p>Basically, I am planning on getting an AAS in Building Construction Technology at the local CC (I want to be a tradesman) than going on to get a BS later in life. My end goal is to become a construction manager or possibly even starting my own contracting company/startup trade company. But I am not sure if I should bother getting a Construction management degree or take the easier and more flexible business administration degree. Which would you guys suggest?</p>
<p>bump?</p>
<p>First of all, I don’t think the business administration degree would be easier. I received my associate’s degree in that very subject and it covers a lot of ground plus has a couple weed out classes, mainly, accounting and MIS. I know little about construction but I do know that the construction degree you’re talking about is a terminal degree. I have two possible routes to advise you on. They are different assuming money and time are not issues.</p>
<p>Route 1.</p>
<p>Complete the construction management degree and begin your career. </p>
<p>If you would like to apprentice or work construction part-time then this may be the option for you. The experience would give you a head start to a supervisor position. It may not be bad if you wish to open your own business either because the specialized knowledge you would get definitely sets you up to run that type of company. </p>
<p>Route 2.</p>
<p>Earn the business administration degree then add construction certifications.</p>
<p>Anymore it is tough to get into managerial positions without a college degree; the business administration degree, while general in nature, will have a couple classes that the other degree won’t. The bachelor’s degree you’d get is excellent to start a career because it lays a foundation for other areas of study. The other plus is that a business administration degree applies to many industries, which is great if you wish to change fields later. The certifications are more rare than the degrees (some people never earn any certifications) so, naturally, the demand for them is greater. The downside of this route is the cost of the public university. That cost does not factor in lost income which could have been earned working in the field of your choice.</p>
<p>This is your life and I cannot make your mind up for you. You sound like you have the will and wit to succeed either way. I have one piece of advice though. It’s funny how everybody in business programs is adamant about knowing accounting; they speak of it as if your life depends on it. But, I advise you to at the very least learn the basics of ECONOMICS. Accounting can be outsourced, economics can’t. The knowledge of supply and demand curves, marginal utility, and how to fix shortages/surpluses is very valuable.</p>
<p>@BlueEyedGuy2015, Thank you. Your answer was very detailed and helpful. </p>