Construction Project Manager: PE, MS-CE, MLS?

[mta2]

Hi Everyone, I am construction project manager/estimator working for the past 5 years in this field. I actually graduated in Information Systems with a bachelors in 2006 but I ended up working in the construction industry. To further my education, I was taking bridge courses to start a master's program in civil engineering concentration construction engineering management but I am reevaluating everything and I was wondering if you guys can help me out. I have 3 options I am looking into. BTW, I am paying for everything and going to school at night.

1) MS-CE Construction Management: it will take 2 years to complete. The classes are related to my field but will it be worth the money?

2) Civil Engineer Bachelors: will take 4+ years, lot of hard work but maybe I can get PE later on.

3) Licensed Surveyor: it will take 2 years. This is my boss's first choice because it is always good to have in-house surveyor as we don't do much design work. I can also get a license later on.

Please let me know what you guys think I am really at a crossroads right now.. Please keep in mind, I plan on staying in the construction industry because I really like what I do and I get paid well

 

[B16A2]

In your case I would recommend #3 hands down if you like surveying. It would give you other options if you have to leave your current company for some reason.

After being out in the field for so long, #2 becomes less practical and doable.

 

[GregTirevold]

I'd say #1 solidifies your qualifications should you need to switch employers since your degree is unrelated. Prior experience is in lieu of a degree will often not get past HR staff at a new company even though the 'people in charge' would likely see the value of what you bring to the position. They will never see your resume unless it gets past the first line HR screens normally. There have been several news stories lately about people being laid off and then being told they are not qualified to do the same job they were laid off from.

#2 is going to have a pretty high risk of failure because the longer you've been out of school the harder it is to go back and engineering is no picnic even at the best of times. Do some older people get engineering degrees? Sure, but the odds-makers in Vegas would put out a pretty steep line against someone in their 30's going back and successfully completing an engineering degree while working.

#3 would be very practical and is something more people are able to accomplish while working full time. It also sounds like your current employer would value it, always a plus.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtirevold

 

[GregTirevold]

I forgot to add, I would also check out Project Management certification from the Project Management Institute. Since you are already doing PM accumulating the requisites would be fairly straightforward. Having the PM certifications would in many cases be just as valuable as the Masters degree since many job postings specifically ask for it. At the worst it would be a good insurance policy should you have to switch jobs before completing the masters.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtirevold

 

[Maury]

Regarding Option 3 (Surveyor. I don't know where you live, but all of states that I have knowledge of require a substantial amount of experience working with a licensed surveyor before you would be eligible to take the licensing exam. You should check into this before you make your choice. Licensing shouldn't be required if all you are doing is construction staking, but this type of work usually isn't done by a construction manager.

 

[cksh]

My sister is a construction project manager and has a degree in construction managament. If you plan on remaining a PM, I would lean towards option 1. Will your company pay for it? Do you even need a degree? Maybe some kind of certification would be better.

My sister has no need for an engineering degree, and other than some certs, has never even considered going back to school. Sometimes she takes classes to remain up to speed on current constrution advances, but they are usually company sponsored.

An engineering degree or surveyor will take you in a different direction from a PM.

 

[mta2]

Greg, you are right, I did not look at it your way. That with option #1, if I was to change jobs I could at least show it on a resume that I completed something in relation to construction management so whoever is reviewing it would consider me.

Doing a PE is just going to be really tough right now. I am really busy with work and I don't think I will keep up. What sucks is all the classes I took for my masters like statics, strength of materials, structural design and soil mechanics don't transfer into my university's bachelors program because those classes are not calculus based. They are however acceptable for the masters program.

Surveying which is recommended by my boss I can get but like Maury said I have to work under a surveyor to get the license and I don't know how to get while working for my company. I live in New Jersey btw.

 

[BJC]

Option 2.
Forget about the PMI-useless.
Start looking for jobs where you actually manage projects. Most jobs where your a project manager/estimator are not project management. The person you and the site project superintendant work fo is a project manager.

 

[beej67]

AACE International has a professional certification for estimating. I think the prereq is 8 years in the industry, but I also think they have a version that doesn't require a bachelors in engineering to meet.

Just another idea. You might be able to land some letters after your name with no additional college.

Of the options mentioned above, I'd go for the masters degree.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[DWHA]

I would say option 1. A surveying degree does little if you do not have a licensed surveyor to work under to work towards getting your PLS. However, if you do have the option of getting your PLS, I would say go that route.

 

[mta2]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I am leaning toward the master's degree because it will be faster to complete, it will solidify my position and it is something I can show on my resume instead of my IT degree. Going the PE route, is just a long shot that might not even happen in the end. Surveying, I can go back to school and get it anytime if I can find a way to get the license. The estimating certificate from AACE international looks appealing, I did some reading on it the other day. Again thanks everyone for your help.

 

[BRGENG]

Do what you love to do otherwise you will hate your job.