Whats the best way to becoming a Construction Manager?

[MJK]

I'm starting on working my way to a bachelors degree in construction management, but is it best to work hard and try to gain an internship with the degree, or should I work on getting my degree and also get my journeymen card in one of the building trades?

Right know I’m working for a Steel Erecting company but it will be very hard to juggle that plus the school. That’s why I don’t know whats the best way to enter the field. I don’t want to get the degree, then be denied everywhere for an entry level job because I have no industry experience. Will the journeymen’s card in Ironworking be my ticket for industry experience, or will it be a waste of time to a certain degree? Thanks for the help in advance.

Marc

[OnlySolutions]

Depending on where you are, it's usually possible to get "a job", with only one of a ticket, degree, or experience. However, if your looking to go far, I'd recommend all three. A Journeymans Ticket will get you places, especially in the union, but real life experience is the only thing that will actually make you good at your job. So it's a hard question, but I'd say to get your Journeymans ticket and your schooling out of the way, if you can afford it now, and you'll likely find yourself on the road to a good job shortly thereafter. Just don't expect to land your dream position without some industry experience first.

Best of luck.

[Rich]

The company I used to work for hired many people out of college with similar degrees. One of the downsides, IMO, was that many of them didn't have any experience. Many didn't last long because of it.
Hensel Phelps is a great company that takes great care of their employees - if you get a chance to interview with them take a serious look. They do have an intern program as well - to get your feet wet.
They will not hire you as a project manager though. They start you as a field engineer, then office engineer, project eng, then project manager. It may take 6-10 years to become a project manager. But once you are there - you'll have an education second to none with a healthy wage and retirement account.

[MJK]

When you say experience, are you saying construction experience (trades like carpenters, bricklayers etc) or are you talking about the entry level positions that you stated field engineer etc?

[Rich]

For instance, entry level field engineers are expected to layout the projects. I came from the framing trades and had years more experience than most of their other new hires... hence I did well. They do send you to several training classes for how they expect your job to be performed (this actually continues for all their positions).
I'm not saying there were people with little to no experience that didn't make it - it just seemed to take longer for them to get the hang of it. And it takes longer to gain the respect of the field personnel - carpenters and laborers. When you can get down there in the dirt and help gang form a 60' x 30' wall pour - you earn respect rather quickly.

[MJK]

Do you think that I should look into a different trade other then Ironworking? Thanks so much for the help, it really means a ton to me. I'm in line for a Structural Ironworking apprenticeship, do you think I should look into a different trade for better experience? Again I appreciate your time and help.

[Rich]

I wouldn't say ironworking is the best way - but it's a way. Of course, I don't know if there is a best way. The best advice I can give is while you're in your apprenticeship (and school) keep your eyes open. Watch the other trades. What does your trade do that makes other trades mad... and vice versa. Keep a notebook of those types of items. Keep your ears open. Listen to how your supervisor talks to other trade supervisors - was the desired result gained or not from how they talked to one another. I've seen many arguments turn into mutual respect and other arguments turn into disdain for each other.
Eventually if all goes well with your career path you will gain some insight into how to deal with other people - and this is the best experience you can get. Most people have the capacity to learn how to build.. but not many gain the capacity to be fair and ethical while getting the projects done on time, on budget, and at the quality specified. Your ultimate goal should be to meet those requirements while keeping everybody working together.

[MJK]

Is there a difference in becoming a Project manager and a Construction Manager?

[Rich]

Every company will call them something a little different. In the true sense of what a construction manager is - it's typically the firm you work for. Used in a sentence... I'm a project manager for XYZ Company, the construction manager for this project. And in another company it could be... I'm a construction manager for the general contractor on this project.

[MJK]

Last question, and again your help is greatly appreciated. What kind of earnings are expected through each level (entry level positions and up)? I've read entry level is around 48-50 thousand. But for Construction managers I've read there salaries are as high as 78,000 and as low as 60,000, I know it depends on the company, but I was just curious if there is a reality. Thanks again.

[Rich]

When I started as a field engineer for HP I was making 38k but a year later they were starting at 42k. That doesn't include benefits which for HP was a good chunk of change. I would imagine they are in that 48k range now. For CM I would say you are about right 65-80k plus benefits.