re: Construction Management....

Even if you don't have a connection, you just have to get hired as an estimator...I know multiple people that work in the field with degrees outside of the field

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Even if you don't have a connection, you just have to get hired as an estimator...I know multiple people that work in the field with degrees outside of the field

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I have a lot of math courses under my belt including advanced econ. I wouldn't mind starting there. So you dont need experience there? That's an avenue for entry level?

I'm telling you, there are more people out there than you think with degrees outside of the field that have wiggled their way in, it's not that difficult

For someone that already holds an Econ degree, it is a waste to get another degree. Just go get a job.

Honestly, I'm smoking architects and civil engineers who are taking pbc for entrance into the cm masters program.

Lots of trades have working knowledge but lack simple theory or the ability to grasp on the fly (spoon feed)

Econ is theory you'll be fine

I don't have any insight into the post grad CM program but as an Econ grad that's been in construction for 6 years I can say it's not that hard to pick up on. Granted I'm in residential but like others have said, immersing yourself in the field is the best education you can get.

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I wanted to know if anyone here has gone through the program?

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Not Post-BAC, but I graduated BSCM from LSU and work in Houston now. I can't recommend the program enough though. From what I've heard from those going through it, it's a crash course to polish a 4-year degree, but you'll get solid information to base your knowledge growth on. The instructors all have previous experience in the industry (most have been fairly successful as well).

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I was wondering if I could find entry level work with just the post bac before I jump into the masters?

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This may be difficult, as most companies hire based on experience. Field experience is priceless. Behind field experience, prior internships and relevant experience are huge (kind of a catch-22, since you can't really have field experience without having been previously employed).

There are jobs everywhere in construction with the right degrees and qualifications. Construction is recession-proof (to a degree) - When O&G isn't building, renewable energy is. Government-sponsored and private construction projects alike help maintain a steady flow of work across the board. If it's something you want to do, it's well worth it.

I began work in project management for a company based out of Houston right out of college on crude oil transloading stations and O&G field offices in the Bakken (Montana, North Dakota), but when O&G slowed down, we moved into renewables and I was transferred into estimating and design. If it interests you, work towards getting some sort of degree in the field, whether it is a second bachelors or a masters, and you'll have no problem finding work if you apply yourself and take advantage of the career services with LSU. That's how I landed every internship/my full time position.

Good luck

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TexasTiger, are you saying that the post bac while similar to the bachelors isn't sufficient? I'd have to go totally fir a second bachelors or a masters?

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Sorry, I wasn't very clear in what I wrote. I mean any applicable degree program you can get your hands on (in this case, Post-BAC). As long as employers see you have relevant "classroom training" in the industry, they'll be more willing to take a chance on you since you don't have relevant work experience.

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I have kind of been swayed by Kingbobs advice that I would be better off with continuing on to the masters after I'm done with the Post Bac. Would you after with that?

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I can't argue with that...the more you have, the better off you are.

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Granted that employers look for field experience, what about in estimating? I'm good with crunching numbers? Would it be out of left field to find an estimating job with just the post bac while I continue on with the masters? Or what about straight construction administration, handling all the day to day office stuff?

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Estimating is tricky, as you have to have a working knowledge of everything that goes into a structure, a site, an interior build-out, etc. I had 9 months of full-time project management experience (not to mention internships for 2 summers previously) before I was transferred into estimating, if that tells you anything. Administration may be an avenue you can take. This will give you insight on the day-to-day activities on a project, and will expose you to standard industry practices. That'd be the most likely entrance into the industry without relevant construction experience (a lot of business majors get these jobs from what I've seen). Estimating assistants are realistic as well. Look through career services to see internships, snag a few interviews, and let them lead you where they do.

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Now having gone through the program, what has been the reaction of employers as far as LSUs reputation in the CM field? I hear it's very well regarded by industry people. There is a lot of stuff about it producing the most entrepreneurs too. In CM LSU is supposed to be tops, no?

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Fantastic reputation. One of the better programs in my opinion. I've worked with people who went to schools in Texas, Missouri, Florida, Utah, California, and the level of real-world, applicable preparation that LSU provides to it's CM graduates is extremely noticeable.

Anyone?