How the Construction Management Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Construction management combines professional work experience, labor skills, and sharp business expertise to ensure that a construction project runs smoothly and efficiently. It is a demanding occupation that requires employees to oversee the many different components that make up a construction site, making certain that everyone is on task and on time. Managers oversee construction sites for roadways, bridges, buildings, and nearly every other project available. To prepare future construction managers for these responsibilities, construction management degree programs focus on drafting and plan reading, construction surveying, human resources management, construction safety, and other related courses that join business management skills with professional education in the field of construction. This educational background prepares construction management majors for a successful career after graduation, as the majors already possess the valuable knowledge needed in the field.

Best Career Paths for Construction Management Majors
Construction management is on the rise as more building projects are commissioned to accommodate the growing population. In fact, the field is one of most lucrative degrees in the country, and graduates are often assured a 100 percent job placement rate, according to West Carolina University. The best career paths for construction management majors to take are:

• Construction Management. Construction managers without a specialization are responsible for the overall efficiency of the construction site and may supervise the entire construction team to ensure that they are working on the correct tasks and finishing these tasks in a timely manner. They also must be available to handle job site emergencies and delays, and often have the duty of dividing tasks amongst labor workers. Construction managers make an average salary of $73,700 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Project Estimation. Project estimators look over the proposed construction project and determine how many workers and managers are needed to complete the project, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. They make an average salary of $52,940 annually, according to the Bureau.
• Property Inspection. Property inspectors work with the local or state government to ensure that construction projects comply with established building codes and regulations. They make an average salary of $46,570 annually, according to the Bureau.

All of these positions utilize the business skills and industry knowledge that construction management majors possess.

How to Market Your Construction Management Degree
Earning a construction management degree is an important step towards starting your career. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the position. To do this, be specific about the skills you learned in class. For example, mention that you learned how to handle the multiple aspects of construction without compromising worker safety and the construction projectís integrity. Be sure to mention the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your construction management degree.