Becoming a construction manager requires more than just industry knowledge. It takes practical skills and hands-on experience to lead projects effectively. But what skills does it require to be a construction manager? This blog highlights how construction management programs prepare students to transition from the classroom to the job site, gaining the expertise needed to succeed in the construction industry and meet the demands of today’s job market.
What Skills Do Construction Managers Need?
So, what skills do construction managers need? There is no simple answer, given the dynamic and fast-paced nature of this unique field. The most effective and accomplished construction managers draw on a comprehensive skill set that includes a far-reaching blend of technical and leadership abilities.1
Leadership and Team Management
It takes strong leadership to overcome challenges and ultimately, transform blueprints into tangible structures. Along the way, construction managers work with a variety of stakeholders and team members who bring many different strengths and weaknesses to the table. Therein lies the need for strong communication skills—both written and verbal, along with the ability to convey complex information in a way that resonates.2
Also important are emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills, which can help foster a collaborative and productive job site. Beyond this, construction managers need to understand different leadership styles and recognize which approaches are most effective in various settings or situations.
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
In construction management, every day presents new and unexpected challenges. These may relate to scheduling complications, budgetary issues or safety concerns, with each challenge often having ripple effects in other areas.
Construction managers must fully understand these issues and work proactively to prevent them. Problems will inevitably arise, and when they do, critical thinking and decision-making capabilities ensure that problems are resolved productively and without compromising project goals or progress.
Key Skills Taught in a Construction Management Program
Don’t let the challenges of construction management dissuade you from pursuing this exciting and potentially lucrative career path. Resources are available, and with the right training, you can turn challenges into opportunities.
One of the best ways to prepare for a successful career? Enrolling in a Construction Management degree program. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to a variety of technical and leadership concepts, ultimately allowing you to develop a comprehensive and highly practical skill set. This involves not only a theoretical introduction to foundational concepts, but also case studies and other immersive opportunities that promote industry-specific problem-solving.
Project Planning and Scheduling
Project planning and scheduling are among the most sought-after skills in the construction industry. After all, projects cannot be executed effectively unless they are properly planned. This process should touch on everything from materials to site conditions and, of course, timelines.
Scheduling can be complicated, however, as so many moving parts are involved. Digital tools such as scheduling software can help, but construction managers must also allocate resources effectively while anticipating and planning for potential delays.
Project scheduling coursework provides a detailed introduction to construction industry software.
Budgeting and Cost Management
While many construction challenges relate to scheduling concerns, especially unforeseen delays or disruptions, cost overruns are also a huge source of difficulty. These take place when unexpected costs cause projects to exceed their originally intended budgets.3
Skilled construction managers can limit these issues by strategically selecting cost-effective materials or methods and, more importantly, negotiating favorable contracts with vendors. Advanced budgeting tools and software can help forecast costs, but mathematical skills are also crucial.
Construction managers must strive to maintain a balance between cost-effective strategies, expedited timelines and high quality. Relevant coursework can make this easier, introducing the most effective tools and techniques for estimating, along with strategies for using accounting systems and financial reports to help control costs.
How Classroom Learning Translates to Jobsite Success
As you plan your construction management career, it is crucial to understand, what skills does it take to be a construction manager? Next, you need to decide how you will develop these crucial skills and how you will learn to apply them.
This begins with thoroughly understanding this field’s complex theoretical underpinnings. Construction management classes offer broad coverage, including critical insights into materials, methods and design strategies. Instructors are eager to share their knowledge and help you thrive.
Applying Construction Industry Knowledge
Following a thorough overview of fundamental concepts, tools and techniques, you will uncover opportunities to apply these insights, echoing eventual application in the field. As a student, you can practice applying crucial skills in lower-stakes scenarios, encouraging exploration and helping you gain confidence every step of the way. Fascinating case studies and projects provide plenty of opportunities to apply technical concepts while also encouraging you to actively hone your problem-solving abilities.
Hands-On Training for Real-World Challenges
Construction management is a dynamic and fast-paced profession, and while courses on applied mathematics or building codes can be helpful, this knowledge goes a lot further if you understand how to build essential skills into problem-solving initiatives. This is best achieved through active learning experiences, which encourage you not only to gather and analyze information, but also to walk through problem-solving strategies and carefully consider which techniques you might apply.
For example, in construction-focused math classes, real-world situations form the basis for problem-solving projects, making the technical concepts covered in this class feel not only relevant, but also highly engaging.
Externships can expand on this, providing exposure to real-world construction settings along with guidance from industry leaders. This is a great way to apply previously covered concepts and put problem-solving skills into action. This can also deliver much-needed confidence so you know what to expect as you enter the workforce post-graduation. Research capstones offer similar opportunities but are centered around feasibility studies involving potential construction projects.
How to Become a Construction Manager
Construction management is an exciting field, offering the chance to make a difference and to see your work play out in a uniquely tangible way.
Wondering how to become a construction manager? The right college program can make all the difference, fueling an exciting climb up the construction industry’s career ladder.
Education as the First Step
Experience matters, but higher-level education is increasingly viewed as crucial to advancement in the competitive construction industry. Thankfully, there are many options, including associate and bachelor’s programs, that cover essentials such as blueprints, project scheduling, labor laws and more.
Equipped with the right degree, you can seek additional training or credentials, further enhancing your skill set while expanding your professional network and making an impression with potential employers.
Gaining Work Experience
There are many ways to gain experience in the construction sector. Aspiring leaders often begin by working entry-level construction jobs. This provides valuable exposure to the construction environment and can also prove helpful from a networking perspective. It may even be possible to work full-time in construction while making progress toward a construction management degree, especially if you enroll in an online program.
Following graduation, you can seek compelling entry or mid-level jobs. As you gain additional experience or credentials, you may begin to qualify for higher-level roles such as construction manager or construction project manager.
Bright Outlook for Construction Managers
4According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction managers are expected to be needed as overall construction activity expands. Population and business growth may result in the construction of new residences, office buildings, retail outlets, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other structures.
Opportunities in the Job Market
Construction management can be a lucrative field, although a lot depends on your experience, niche and geographic location. It is increasingly common to specialize, either focusing on specific types of construction (residential, commercial or industrial) or various aspects of the construction process (such as scheduling, safety or quality control).5
Other exciting opportunities have emerged in response to concerns regarding sustainable building. As more projects seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status, there is a need for passionate professionals who understand how to make the most of sustainable materials or use cutting-edge strategies to limit waste.
Career Growth in the Construction Industry
There are many ways to carve your own unique path in the diverse construction industry. We have touched on the value of specialization, but it can also be gratifying to move up the career ladder and gain greater influence over construction projects and the field at large.
If you are like many construction management students, your ultimate goal may involve working as a high-powered construction manager or construction project manager. This could grant you significant oversight as you shape multi-million dollar projects.
Alternatively, you may feel driven by entrepreneurial ambitions. Perhaps you want to start your own general contracting firm. Consulting represents yet another appealing pathway, allowing you to draw on your expertise as you uncover new opportunities or provide a valuable outside perspective.
Build Your Dream Career in Construction Management: Get Started With SJVC
A Construction Management program equips students with the skills to enter the construction industry, from leadership and project planning to budgeting and communication. By bridging classroom learning with real-world experience, these programs prepare students to manage construction projects confidently and effectively. Ready to take the first step toward becoming a construction manager? Explore SJVC’s Construction Management program today.
Sources:
1. Indeed. “12 Construction Management Skills and Why They’re Important.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/construction-management-skills
2. Schroeder, J. “Communication: The Secret Weapon In Construction Management.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lHilKysZY&ab_channel=JasonSchroeder
3. Construction Management Association of America. “A Guide to Managing Budgets and Expenses.” https://www.cmaanet.org/sites/default/files/resource/Managing%20Budgets%20and%20Expenses.pdf
4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Construction Managers.” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm#tab-6
5. Indeed. “4 Construction Management Specializations To Consider.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/construction-management-specializations
