Ok, so I am beginning a post-bac certificate program at a reputable College of Engineering school in construction management. The post bac I am assuming is essentially akin to earning a second bachelors or tacking on an extra major. All in all it covers the basics: 1. Construction materials, methods, and equipment, 2. Estimation, 3.Scheduling, cost control, 4. Structural principles/practices, 5. Mechanical and electrical systems and 6. Contracting I have the option of continuing on to the masters in CM but I was hoping to find entry level employment with the Post-Bac first. Is this possible? I was hoping to gain experience then pay for the masters later. Based on the courses I listed, would the Post Bac be sufficient to go out and look for entry level work in the construction field? I already have a bachelors degree and plenty of office experience but nothing construction related. I would do any level of work whether field engineer, assistant project management, anything. According to the program adviser, after I complete the program I am eligible to sit for the Associate Constructor Level 1 exam with the American Institute of Constructors. Would that help too when looking for work? Any advice would help! Should I stick it out until the Masters or could I find entry level work with the Post-Bac? Anyone in the AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) field?
"Entry level" work in the construction field means carrying lumber around and maybe firing a nail gun. You don't need any degree for that. Entry level management work in the construction field can be found with a Bachelors degree if you've got construction experience. Is it possible without experience (plus your post-bac? Of course it's possible, especially if you know somebody.
In my home state my family is involved in the business. But I am in a new state where I don't know many people. I am willing to relocate if I can't find work here though. I know that putting up sheet rock doesn't take a degree but I meant entry level management work; field engineer, project management, assistant pm, estimating, scheduling, etc. I have a bachelors degree but I opted to take this extra post bac to supplement my bachelors. So it's as though I would be in the same boat almost as someone who did a BS in construction management. At least I am assuming from what I am getting from the program. So what if I do not know anyone? You're saying it's an uphill battle with no construction experience?
Look, it sounds like you've already decided what you're going to do and you're just looking for someone to tell you it'll be OK. It'll be OK.
Kizmet, not exactly. I really don't know. You're kind of right that I have an inkling of what I want to do but I prefer the most assured path to enter the field. If that requires going all the way to the masters I will. I just want to know what employers will think?
Employers will think that you're a guy trying to break into the construction field with some book knowledge and no practical experience. In my experience it works better the other way around. Earning a Masters degree isn't necessarily going to improve that because then you're just a guy with more book knowledge and still no practical experience. You've mentioned a couple of times that you have a Bachelors degree. What subject?