5 answers
Howard
Student
Ooltewah, Tennessee
1
Question
Updated
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How do I use my construction background to help with my construction management degree?
I am a 5th generation construction worker wanting to extend my knowledge and climb corporate ladders. I am currently a Business Development Manager for a company that is opening doors for their second location. I have been able to make it this far up the ladder without a degree but would like to pursue other avenues to help me further my career goals.
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5 answers
Oleg Kushnerov
Construction Project Manager
13
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Oleg’s Answer
Look within your current company. Is there growth potential and what do you need to replace them. Unfortunately if you do not have "engineer" in your title, your highest position will be Project Manager (PM). $80,000-$120,000 for small companies.
Agreeing to relocate traveling will be easier to get position.
Earring PMP certification is the fastest high leap you can make in construction ladder.
$100,000-$130,000
But the best way to move uplader without education is getting position in largest national builders sign up for 100% travel and staying there for next 15 years.
Electrical engineer (or any engineer) will get you position building data center at $150,000-$180,000
OR as a business developer you are knowledgeable enough how to get clients, now go and create competition for your own company with unlimited potential.
Agreeing to relocate traveling will be easier to get position.
Earring PMP certification is the fastest high leap you can make in construction ladder.
$100,000-$130,000
But the best way to move uplader without education is getting position in largest national builders sign up for 100% travel and staying there for next 15 years.
Electrical engineer (or any engineer) will get you position building data center at $150,000-$180,000
OR as a business developer you are knowledgeable enough how to get clients, now go and create competition for your own company with unlimited potential.
Thanks for the insight! I’ve been a PM the last few years. I helped start the last company I was with and the Business Development side really caught my attention. I have since moved into that role for another complaint to open its second location where I currently reside. I can go the PMP route but am looking into all options as well!
Howard
After catching up with all your replies I saw a thread. You don't need an advice of what to do, you need an advice what path to take.
Your option one is to work for corporate world, interesting projects from roads, to data centers to skyscraper, your job requirement would be limited to Pre-Bid, or PM, or Super with dedicate a lot of away time from home.
Option two is build something yourself, a lot more personal responsibilities with a lot more earning potential.
Depending how lazy or dedicated you are. I ran few of my own companies l and selling them. As I got older now I help other small companies for very comfortable salaries plus performance bonus. Even now with my 20 years experience few companies turned down my knowledge because I do not have bachelor degree.
Oleg Kushnerov
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Howard. Using your construction experience can really help you succeed in a construction management degree. Since you have worked in construction for many years, you already understand how projects are planned and built. This hands-on knowledge will make it easier to understand concepts taught in your courses. Your experience on-site allows you to connect textbook examples to real-world scenarios, making it easier to grasp complex topics and apply them effectively in assignments and projects.
Your experience can also help in class discussions and group projects. You know how construction teams work. Sharing this knowledge can help your classmates and show your professors that you bring valuable real-world experience.
While studying, you should focus on learning skills that will help you move up in your career, such as leadership, project management, budgeting, and negotiation. Also, look for opportunities in school like projects, internships, or research that relate to your career goals.
Even though you already have experience, a degree can give you formal knowledge and a credential that helps you reach higher management positions. All the best.
Your experience can also help in class discussions and group projects. You know how construction teams work. Sharing this knowledge can help your classmates and show your professors that you bring valuable real-world experience.
While studying, you should focus on learning skills that will help you move up in your career, such as leadership, project management, budgeting, and negotiation. Also, look for opportunities in school like projects, internships, or research that relate to your career goals.
Even though you already have experience, a degree can give you formal knowledge and a credential that helps you reach higher management positions. All the best.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve made my way up from working with my tools to leadership roles to foreman, general foreman, super,PM, and Business Development. I currently also own my own business. Being able to move up in some of the larger companies is my goal right now!
Thanks sir!
Howard
You are most welcome. Wishing you all the best.
Wong Loke Yuen
Anthony Kofi Hene-Amoah
Translation, Editing, Project Management, Research and Evangelism
203
Answers
Jema, Brong Ahafo Region
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Please, note the following, relating to how you can use your construction background, to match your construction management degree:-
1. Keep on well with the construction experience you have gained.
2. You have done well in studying further to obtain the management degree. This is going to enhance your activities, especially in future, at the management level, where you will be managing others.
3. Faithfulness, diligence and hardworking are needed at all times.
Best regards.
1. Keep on well with the construction experience you have gained.
2. You have done well in studying further to obtain the management degree. This is going to enhance your activities, especially in future, at the management level, where you will be managing others.
3. Faithfulness, diligence and hardworking are needed at all times.
Best regards.
Thank you for the insight! I’ve been in the industry since I can remember, started helping my dad when I was 12. Focusing diligently on my career now! Be blessed sir!
Howard
Shea Burkholder
Residential painter
2
Answers
Silver Springs, Florida
Updated
Shea’s Answer
In my own personal experience of climbing up the totem pole of management from being just a temp day laborer(no experience), the best advice I could give you is to PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL EVERYTHING! What makes any person pursuing a higher position more valuable is an “experienced” worker. By “experienced”, I mean has participated in just about every situation that the next level up would have faced. Not being better, but being educated with equal experience and also humbled enough to step back and still be hands on helpful. Confidence is an important characteristic and to achieve confidence is by first being the bottom of the totem pole and earning every step of the way. Also a general contractor is only a position that literally “oversees” an entire project from start to finish and makes certain that the whole process goes smoothly and happens as it should. Educate yourself in all of the trades and that will guarantee the confidence and surety that will boost your growth in all aspects. I watched a lot of workers standing around while only one worked , the one working was the one who paid attention and that really shows. Don’t let pride run your ego and be one of the rest of them because those workers aren’t getting noticed. Make yourself stand out by asking questions and showing interest, it also shows dedication and determination .
Thank you Shea for your response! I have moved around positions and have been a PM before for a few GCs, all have owned my own business and am pretty familiar with all trades. To be honest I’m trying to finish up my degree and the scholarships I was applying for made me drum up a question on here to be eligible for the scholarship! Thanks for the insight and keep pushing as well!
Howard
Courtney Lathrop
Senior Director Global Procurement Operations
3
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Howard,
You have started with the right approach by learning each job with it's skill set. Learning each role helps you to understand the perspective of the worker and the time and effort to accomplish the job. Workers respect people who know how hard their job is and someone that thinks the job should be faster. You are well on your way to having the respect of your future workers.
Additional insight into the corporate requirements for managing people would be the next steps to learning that area. Review the policies from HR which the corporate office will see as valuable knowledge as a people manager. There are some really good books and training that can be completed to set you up for success with managing people with regard to courageous conversations, honest feedback and self reflection.
There is a Scholarship program that Mike Rowe created call Mike Rowe WORKS. This program helps pay for classes and training to further your education in areas you might not have worked in yet.
Management requires constant learning to be prepared to help and motivate your teams.
You have started with the right approach by learning each job with it's skill set. Learning each role helps you to understand the perspective of the worker and the time and effort to accomplish the job. Workers respect people who know how hard their job is and someone that thinks the job should be faster. You are well on your way to having the respect of your future workers.
Additional insight into the corporate requirements for managing people would be the next steps to learning that area. Review the policies from HR which the corporate office will see as valuable knowledge as a people manager. There are some really good books and training that can be completed to set you up for success with managing people with regard to courageous conversations, honest feedback and self reflection.
There is a Scholarship program that Mike Rowe created call Mike Rowe WORKS. This program helps pay for classes and training to further your education in areas you might not have worked in yet.
Management requires constant learning to be prepared to help and motivate your teams.