re: Construction Management Degree question..

1550

Not difficult, give it a 3.

Waste of money. You can learn everything you need to know off YouTube now.

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So you graduated

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in 1979 baw

If you can't get through a CM degree, then college isn't for you. It is a fall back degree for failed engineering students.

You forgot to mention that they’re generally both working the same job for the same money, so CM takes the win here

I believe that a construction management degree should require actual construction (hands on tools) experience. How can you manage that which you can’t do yourself? I understand that the office and the field are two very different places. But, in my 25+ years of working exclusively in the electrical industry, I can see the rapid decline of the quality and efficiency of operations- since the advent (and requirement) of the construction management degree.

You see, it used to be the case that the front office was all electricians that came out of the field (and a few secretaries) and learned the management skills. This was ideal because they understood us, and we understood them. They knew what was needed for success, and we respected them because we knew they had been where we were and done everything they were expecting us to do. There was a mutual respect from top to bottom, and, there was the motivation that if you did well enough in the field, you could earn your way into the office- where the best of the best finish out their careers.

Now we have a clear separation between the office and the field. We have exalted glorified time-keepers, who have never turned a wrench or held a screwdriver, and placed an arbitrary barrier between the office and the men who built it. I could opine on the conspiratorial nature of this operation, but maybe another time.

I said all that to say this-

I don’t question the validity of a CM degree. It is a completely different skill set, that you will not learn in the field. Absolutely go for it. But, get some meaningful field experience. It will not only bolster your resume, it will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work you’re going to “manage.” And, it will go a long way in earning the respect of the craftsmen you will “manage.”

Just remember this analogy:
The construction industry is a lot like the sex trade- pimps and ho’s. They each have their own skill set. But, while ho’s might get less work (and probably make more money) without pimps, pimps would make no money without ho’s.

Leave the tools to the guys who use them. Project management isn’t always supposed to be about that. It’s primarily managing contracts, schedule, and money. I don’t have all the technical knowledge that my superintendent does, but I’m a good project manager because I understand those things. The field is driving the bus and I’m just trying to keep the light green.

Eta: obviously you need to spend time on the job, but I’m just saying that doesn’t make or break a project manager per se. You will gain that technical knowledge as you go.

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Leave the tools to the guys who use them. Project management isn’t always supposed to be about that. It’s primarily managing contracts, schedule, and money. I don’t have all the technical knowledge that my superintendent does, but I’m a good project manager because I understand those things. The field is driving the bus and I’m just trying to keep the light green. Eta: obviously you need to spend time on the job, but I’m just saying that doesn’t make or break a project manager per se. You will gain that technical knowledge as you go.

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Couldn’t have said it better myself. I have a ton of technical knowledge that I’ve learn on projects over the years. I knew nothing when I first came out of school.