Overview

SEVERAL OF TODAY'S MOST REWARDING AND LUCRATIVE CAREERS can be found in the construction management field. Construction managers (or CMs) plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects throughout the building cycle. They are sometimes called construction project managers (CPMs), general contractors, or simply project managers (PMs, a term also used to refer to non-construction project leadership, such as software development). Construction managers may work for large corporations, residential and industrial building companies, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions. They may be direct employees of the company sponsoring the project; work for outside engineering, architectural, and construction contractors; or be self-employed. While the size of the individual project will vary substantially from a home renovation to an airport, for example, construction managers are found in virtually every industry, including aerospace, transportation and logistics, retail and homebuilding. The median annual salary for construction managers averages almost $90,000, according to government statistics. Employment is expected to grow by at least five percent through the coming decade, due to a combination of new project demand and retirement of experienced managers. Construction professionals may work at corporate offices; at a single construction site; or commute between several job sites. Most managers work at least 40 hours per week. Some 40 percent of managers are self-employed. Would a construction management career be right for you? Technical training and experience in the construction industry are required to get started. The profession also calls for good management skills, solid oral and written communication abilities, and analytical and planning skills. Are you a natural planner? Can you see the big picture - not just the immediate issues in front of you, but also the steps needed to reach a long-term goal? Are you good with science and math? Can you weigh competing alternatives to determine the best solution? Are you organized? If so, you may be well positioned to succeed as a construction manager. While a four-year college degree is not mandatory, a growing number of employers look for a combination of formal training and on-the-job experience when hiring a new building CM. Additional certification from a professional organization can be important to advancing your career. Many construction managers are specialists in a certain industry (such as renovating schools or building new office parks). Managers must also keep up-to-date on new building materials and techniques, and use sophisticated software tools to track project costs and schedules. If you have good analytical and interpersonal skills, you can enjoy a financially rewarding career in construction management. A combination of training, hard work, aptitude, and positive personal traits can help you achieve personal and professional satisfaction in the construction management field.

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