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Construction Management redux.....
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:04 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:04 pm
I am bringing this topic up again because I had such good responses from some helpful posters last time around and I forgot to ask an important question.
I was wondering if anyone here knew anyone that transitioned from Post Bac construction management to Masters? If so, was it difficult? Did you still have to take the GRE and did you have an entirely different bachelors degree other than Eng, Arch, or CM?
Do you have to have relevant experience in order to apply?
Kujo, did you know anyone? Texas Tiger, King Bob? Any knowledge? Thanks....
I was wondering if anyone here knew anyone that transitioned from Post Bac construction management to Masters? If so, was it difficult? Did you still have to take the GRE and did you have an entirely different bachelors degree other than Eng, Arch, or CM?
Do you have to have relevant experience in order to apply?
Kujo, did you know anyone? Texas Tiger, King Bob? Any knowledge? Thanks....
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:08 pm to Manored77
quote:
I was wondering if anyone here knew anyone that transitioned
Good luck on your journey.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:19 pm to Manored77
FWIW, as a contractor who hires LSU CM students on a yearly basis I can tell you that kids who chose to spend their time and money to get a Masters in CM instead of going to work after their bachelor degree fall to the bottom of my list.
If you're a good employee your employer will pay for you to get a masters degree somewhere down the line when you can actually put it to use with your job.
If you're a good employee your employer will pay for you to get a masters degree somewhere down the line when you can actually put it to use with your job.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:19 pm to Manored77
People ask Kujo for expertise on something?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:26 pm to mytigger
quote:
FWIW, as a contractor who hires LSU CM students on a yearly basis I can tell you that kids who chose to spend their time and money to get a Masters in CM instead of going to work after their bachelor degree fall to the bottom of my list.
If you're a good employee your employer will pay for you to get a masters degree somewhere down the line when you can actually put it to use with your job.
If it were up to me I'd stop at the Post Bac which has all the fundamentals of estimating, scheduling, materials and management/administration. But the catch 22 I am seeing is no one will hire without experience, and I cannot get the experience without getting hired. I was hoping having some academic knowledge that's foundational would help.
As an employer, if you think that I could even land an entry level assistant project manager job after a Post Bac Certificate in CM then by all means let me know so I won't spend even more of MY own money and wait for the company to foot the bill.
This post was edited on 7/22/16 at 8:27 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:32 pm to clownbaby
We hire people everyday. What do you do?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:36 pm to mytigger
quote:
FWIW, as a contractor who hires LSU CM students on a yearly basis I can tell you that kids who chose to spend their time and money to get a Masters in CM instead of going to work after their bachelor degree fall to the bottom of my list.
If you're a good employee your employer will pay for you to get a masters degree somewhere down the line when you can actually put it to use with your job.
This.
Without experience, you're a gup in the ocean. Getting a masters before you ever put on boots is useless. Even with the degree, you can't be hired in any position of importance over a guy with experience.
This post was edited on 7/22/16 at 8:37 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:36 pm to Manored77
If you get a CM degree, you don't need a masters. All it is for is a piece of paper to hang up. I know several who got theirs from Auburn after attending LSU and it didn't really do anything for their career.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:37 pm to mytigger
Mytigger, I am not asking for a job just advice on how to go about looking for one. As a contractor, would you hire someone who is brand new to construction and just has a post-bac cert in CM? I have business experience but not in construction.
Could I get an entry level assistant project manager job? People tell me to get experience in the field but what does that mean? Does that mean look for an internship with a PM/CM? Or go sign up for an apprenticeship with the drywall local union?
Help a guy out by giving some sound advice from an employers perspective
Could I get an entry level assistant project manager job? People tell me to get experience in the field but what does that mean? Does that mean look for an internship with a PM/CM? Or go sign up for an apprenticeship with the drywall local union?
Help a guy out by giving some sound advice from an employers perspective
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:39 pm to mytigger
I work in industrial steel. The guy who trained me has a CM degree and may be looking for something more stable
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:41 pm to Manored77
quote:
Manored77
I'm going to share something with you and don't want you to take this the wrong way. To an employer your degree means not much more than to let us know that you're smart enough to pass the classes and persistent enough to stick it out to earn your degree. Your real learning will take place on the job.
Get hired on as a helper during the summer and work in the field in whatever discipline of construction you want to go in. You'll want to quit, but it will be the best learning experience of your life. See if that company will hire you on as intern during the school year.
When you graduate and look for a job don't get hung up on your title, just get your foot in the door, come in early, leave late, work your arse off and always look for an opportunity to learn. When asked to do something or go somewhere to help the company - say "Yes, I'll do whatever I can to help the company". Do these things and you'll endear yourself to your boss, make more money and get opportunities for advancement.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:42 pm to Manored77
quote:
This.
Without experience, you're a gup in the ocean. Getting a masters before you ever put on boots is useless. Even with the degree, you can't be hired in any position of importance over a guy with experience.
This stuff about experience is so vague. I get it. Please though, what do you guys mean by it. Explain it like I'm five.
I am new to this field. Brand new. By experience, do you mean pick up a hammer and start putting up drywall?
My CM degree is not a bachelors. My bachelors is in Economics from a different school. This CM degree I am getting is a Post Bac Certificate in CM. It covers all the basics that a bachelors would just in an accelerated pace. Would this be sufficient? If so, great. If not, what do I do? To get experience there a bunch of local unions that would be glad to give me an apprenticeship to put up some sheet rock or do electrical work.
This post was edited on 7/22/16 at 8:43 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:42 pm to Manored77
I highly recommend spending several years in the field before your arse touches an office chair. Most degreed guys think a Project Management job is waiting for them just because they have a degree.
I can tell you that a degreed commercial Project Superintendent with ten or so years of experience can damn near set his own salary right now in this market.
I can tell you that a degreed commercial Project Superintendent with ten or so years of experience can damn near set his own salary right now in this market.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:47 pm to 4LSU2
Then how are these grads getting jobs in construction after graduating?
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:55 pm to Manored77
There are plenty of jobs out there and I've got three of you working under me at this time. I'm simply saying your career will advance much quicker with OTJ training. A guy three years out of school that has been on a jobsite is much more "experienced" than a guy that's been shoved in an office the same three years estimating and tracking down submittals and such.
You simply can't manage something that you don't know how it works backwards and forwards.
You simply can't manage something that you don't know how it works backwards and forwards.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 8:59 pm to 4LSU2
Thank you for the reply. But I really need some specifics because this is the part that I need spelled out. By on the field, do you mean to actually put up sheet rock, hammer and nails, shovel, what not. As in get on the job site working as a construction employee? OR are do you mean shadow a PM/CM or a foreman and act as an assistant? Is that what you guys mean?
I can do either.
I can do either.
This post was edited on 7/22/16 at 9:02 pm
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:02 pm to mytigger
quote:
mytigger
Listen to this guy. By far the most accurate and helpful info you've gotten. Field experience trumps all and don't chase a job title.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:03 pm to Manored77
quote:
Manored77
Where do you live?
I know a few guys that went to Oklahoma State in Okmulgee, OK and got an associates in Construction Management and had jobs prior to graduating. The area in Tulsa, OK and Northwest Arkansas hires directly from that university though. Both of those areas are booming so it sounds as though it is easier for them to get going than for you.
Could it be your location? I know two of the guys started out making about $60k a year, company truck, company phone, etc. They travel, but they felt like they needed to do that in order to move up. I know one big company in NWA and the Tulsa area is Nabholz.
Good luck to you.
Posted on 7/22/16 at 9:05 pm to Manored77
He's talking about an assistant project manager or project engineer depending on the company.
These are the guys writing rfi's, procuring materials, turnover packages, scheduling, tracking progress, estimating, billing etc. The entire process of the job. These are the guys that see what happens when shite hits the fan.
It's invaluable experience that you can't gain doing take offs in an office.
These are the guys writing rfi's, procuring materials, turnover packages, scheduling, tracking progress, estimating, billing etc. The entire process of the job. These are the guys that see what happens when shite hits the fan.
It's invaluable experience that you can't gain doing take offs in an office.
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