I would like to study construction management but was wondering if the job outlook is risky with the economy?
I’m hardly an expert but I know a few people who do construction management, and whether they have a job or not seems to depend very much on the business cycle.
My uninformed opinion is that it’s a risky profession.
That job goes up and down with the national or local economy so you may experience down times when you’re not working.
It is a booming career in my city at the moment. But it will be cyclical with the economy.
What do the people you know do when they are without work? Do you know about what they make?
Also do you know if once the project you are working on is done if you are then unemployed? Is it a temp job each time you start a project?
Based on my nephew’s experience, he was working part time for a builder while he was in college- kind of a gopher but was well-liked.
He was asked by the management if he would be willing to change his major to construction management and they would pay his remaining tuition/R&B. The builder paid for our nephew’s junior and senior year.
He’s been working in an area that is constantly building, and given his prior business courses, he has performed well for them.
I really think it depends on the geographic area and what you can do on the side when the work load lessens.
It depends a lot on how diversified your company is. I joined my previous company as an intern in 2007, when the luxury residential high-rise market was really hot here. In 2008, when I joined full-time, that had dried up. While some people were laid off, many transitioned into other sectors like cultural and healthcare projects. All the hospital work pretty much saved the company and carried us through the recession.
It is typically not a temp job, especially entry-level. The company will move you from project to project as needs change, and quite often you won’t be there until completion. I know some general superintendents take jobs as or are hired for a specific project, but that’s well known at signing. You won’t have to think about that for a few more decades anyway.
Approximately what is the salary?
Salary varies immensly with location. Based on what ive seen, which is somewhat limited, it tends to be on the higher end of what civil engineering graduates get.
What year in of college would I be able to find an internship
Apply every year. It’s easier later on in your college career, but it’s not unheard of for a freshman to get an internship. You have nothing to lose.
My son graduated in CM in 08. He was hired straight out of school by the company he did an internship for. They are a large company in a large city, and have been in business for years- they seem to have constant work. He stayed for a few years and got some great experience, then decided he wanted to move to an area closer to winter sports. After putting out feelers, he got 2 offers within a month and moved to a mid-sized city with a company that does a lot of work downtown and specializes in historic buildings. He always had at least one project going at this company and often was doing multiple projects at once or would start a new project while still doing clean-up on the last one. There was never downtime, and construction managers were always moved to a new project when their last one ended. He did very well financially at both companies, but the hours were very long. He did receive bonuses for jobs completed early or on which they made a good profit, but he definitely worked a lot of hours.
In the last year, he decided to go out on his own. He has been at it now for about 10 months and so far has had to turn down work. He still works long hours but it is work of his own choice and he has been able to pick and choose projects. He is making more of a profit than he anticipated, even with his start-up costs. He is very hands-on and can build just about anything, which has been an advantage for him. His work experience in the trades while getting his degree has really paid off. All in all, this has been a perfect career for him. He is very high energy and loves being able to get out on job sites and not having to sit at a desk all day. This is our kid who we weren’t even sure would graduate from high school, and then took extra time to make it through college because he always had side jobs going. He always disliked school, until he found Construction Management. For his personality, this career has been a great fit!
Do you know about what he was making at those companies?
What are the hours you are considering long also? 10hr days?
Can’t speak for other places in the country, but where I am, 10 hrs is pretty normal.
Are they required to travel a lot?
I think you need to ask questions from your local area to local area contractors. Answers to your questions are specific to geographic region. Wages/hours/travel are specific.
My nephew doesn’t need to travel. His job is constantly building.
Amount of travel varies immensely by job. Some people don’t ever have to travel. Some go to multiple projects a day. Some have to temporarily relocate to be near projects.
Do you know which is preferred by employers, construction management or construction engineering?