Construction Management | Project Manager Jobs | Construction Manager Jobs
Construction Management Career - What is the Job of a Construction Manager?
The work of the construction manager involves coordinating construction projects, which can include bridges, commercial real estate, residential, hospitals, and other projects. Construction managers are usually self employed contractors, who oversee workers and supervisors. Other names for construction managers include project managers, construction superintendents, program managers, or general contractors.
Project managers work with engineers, architects, and other project planners in order to plan and implement a construction design. Project managers are needed because construction projects can often be too complicated for just one person to manage, such as road construction, sewage systems, landscaping, site preparation, and many other facets must be considered in the construction of a building.
Construction planners figure out how to get the materials to the site on time and under budget. Project managers coordinate the contractors underneath of them to do specific portions of the project, such as installing electrical work. In addition, construction managers are responsible for ensuring worker safety, and making sure that the building complies with all safety codes and government regulations.
Working Conditions for Construction Managers - How is the Working Environment for Project Manager Jobs?
Construction managers have a very diverse job environment, and they may work out of the office or in the field. Usually, most construction design work is done in trailers on the job, and construction managers will go out in the field on a regular basis to supervise the work. Being a construction manager can be a very stressful job, as it can involve dealing with bad weather, emergencies, and workplace accidents.
There are many opportunities for overtime for project managers, as deadlines must be met and problems frequently occur due to the sophistication of constructing a building.
Construction Manager Education - Train to Become a Construction Project Manager - How to Receive Your Construction Management Education
There are two ways that one can become a construction manager. The first involves acquire new trade such as becoming electrician, and then working your way up to be, project manager for a larger trade specific company. This route can take years of experience.
The second route involves having a bachelor’s degree in construction management, which allows much faster advancement and increased employment opportunity’s with larger contractors. Some essential skills for the college graduates include accounting, financial management, construction management, or engineering. Graduates from construction college usually start out as project assistant, quickly working the way up to project management once they received the requisite amount of experience.
For those building managers wishing to pursue their career even further, about 60 colleges offer a master’s degree program in construction management.
Some special skills for success as a construction manager include the ability to multitask, solve and analyze problems quickly, as well as a good understanding of how things work. Due to the influx of Mexican immigrants into America, fluency in Spanish will increase your employment opportunities.
Construction Management Training Certification - How to Become Certified at a Construction Management Job
Certification in the project manager industry is a plus, as workplace safety is a priority in the field. The American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America both have certification programs which combine both a written test and classroom experience. The Construction Management Association of America offers the certified construction manager certification and the certified professional contractor designation is offered by the American Institute of Constructors.
Outlook of Construction Manager Jobs - What is the Future of Project Management Jobs?
The demand for construction management depends on increased growth especially in the commercial sector. It is predicted that in the next decade the openings for construction managers will increase by 16%, with almost every type of building imaginable requiring their skills. As long as an individual is with a large contracting company, they will be largely immune to the ravages of economic downturn.
Construction Management Pay Scale - How Much Project Managers Earn?
Electrical contractors earned a median salary of $74,380 in 2006 while those in residential building construction are in slightly less that $69,400. In a 2007 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, those managers with a bachelor’s degree in construction management received an average salary of $49,930.
The gap between new hires in construction management jobs and those with experience is quickly bridged, when an individual has a few years of work put in with a contracting company.