H o w T o B e c o m e A C e r t i f i e dC o n s t r u c t i o n M a n a g e r

DOMENICK TONACCHIO

Being a construction manager can berewarding and fun. But getting there is

no walk in the park. There are manysteps in that you will need to take if

you want to pursue constructionmanagement as a career. You’ll needto take quite a few steps in order to

reach this goal.

What is aConstruction

Manager?

oversees construction projects from beginningto end, and works primarily in an office setting.This may include a side office at the location of

construction. Construction managers doeverything from creating schedules to hiring

and supervising workers. They also mustestimate project costs, report progress, and

make sure that all safety codes are being met.

A construction manager...

The hours are atleast full-time, but

constructionmanagers oftenfind themselves

working overtimeas buildingdeadlines

approach. Someconstruction

managers need tobe on call 24 hoursa day. There is also

some travelrequired between

constructionprojects.

So now that you know exactly what it being a constructionmanager entails, you can figure out if you want to work

toward it. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

1) Get A Bachelor’s Degree in

Construction Management

Most construction managers have an undergraduate degree in construction-centered disciplines.While a degree in construction management is ideal, there are a number of degrees that qualifyaccording the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), listed below:

Construction Management ­ Construction Science ­ Construction Engineering TechnologyCivil Engineering ­ Chemical Engineering ­ Industrial Engineering ­ Mechanical EngineeringElectrical Engineering ­ Architectural Engineering ­ Architecture

2) Gain Experience in the Field of Construction

If you want to be a construction manager, you won’t be able to do this right out of college. You willneed work experience, which you can gain by working as a management assistant. This will offeryou first-hand knowledge of the operations that occur on construction sites. Additionally, don’t waituntil after college to gain experience. Participate in internships that give you experience in theconstruction field.

3) Get CertifiedYou can attain the voluntary designationof Certified Construction Manager (CCM)through the CMAA. If you have aBachelor’s Degree, you must meetparticular requirements, such as fouryears of construction managementexperience. If you do not have a degree,but you have eight years of constructionexperience and four years working as aconstruction manager, you will also beeligible to apply. Once you’ve met therequirements, you will need to apply andtake a test. Before you take the test, it’scrucial that you study. If you do not passthe exam within three attempts, you willbe barred from certification.

4) Pursue a Master’s DegreeAt this point, you are a Certified Construction Manager.Congratulations! While you may have gained certification, there’s noreason to stop advancing your career now. If you want to reach thegreatest level of success possible , you may want to pursue a master’sdegree in construction management. You will gain a wide variety ofknowledge regarding the practical applications of importantmanagement principles. This will expand your skill set and allow youto flourish in the professional world.