Is Construction Management good in Masters level for a Civil Engineer 6

[zebaba1]

Hi Guys,
I would highly appreciate your advice on this. I have a Bs in Civil from an African University and I relocated to the States two years ago. I struggled to get a job in my field probably because of where I obtained my degree from. Moreso, I have a lot of experience on Structural design and analysis after having worked for 5 years. Presently, I was accepted to do an MS in Construction Management and I was wondering if that might be of any help. Moresso, the school is a State school although it has a great reputation for that program. Please your advice will be highly encouraging. Thanks

 

[Lion06]

I don't think Construction management classes will help you with engineering.

 

[zebaba1]

Hi
Do you think construction Management is a good career to embark upon. I am in my early thirties and getting admission to a civil program with my background is pretty difficult. What jobs are there for Construction Managers? Thanks

 

[Lion06]

I can't say I know too much about what is available for construction manager's out there. If the field interests you, go for it. It doesn't interest me, so I am somewhat biased. I would check around to different universities to find out their requirements. You can even find some universities that offer online graduate degrees (in Civil Engineering).

 

[HgTX]

I can't really say much about the construction management job market, but the infrastructure is continuing to crumble and thus will continue to need replacement.

Don't worry about the state school. Most of the really good civil engineering programs are at state schools, and people in the field know that.

Hg

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[bridgebuster]

I have an MSCE with specialization in CM. If doesn't hurt if you're a designer with construction experience or a CM with design experience. It's good to have knowledge of both areas, but don't waste your time getting an MS CM just for the sake of getting an MS.

Right now, construction is still booming in certain areas and should continue for the next few years.

 

[bimr]

Your prospects in the engineering field are limited because your degree is not recognized here. Therefore, your only option is to take courses here. You would have to enough courses so that you may qualify to take the pe test.

The construction management course would be a good first step in that it would open employment opportunities to you. If you were working, you could take the engineering courses that you would need on a part time basis in the evenings.

Your first objective should be to get employed. You can always improve your position once you have started working.

 

[zebaba1]

Thanks
I appreciate all your advice and I think I would probably start the program. I guess that will put my foot on the door and from there I can get back to what I love to do. Probably take some online classes. Thanks you all I appreciate the kind gesture by responding.
sam

 

[francesca]

Hi Zebaba, which African university did you graduate from? If you graduated with a degree recognised by the Engineers Council of South Africa (ECSA) then there are some states that will recognise your degree through the Washington Accord and allow you to sit the PE. This is what I did. Despite good experience in South Africa and the UK, I struggled to find a job and found one out of luck moreso than anything else.

However, my prospects did a complete aboutface after enrolling for a masters program here in the US. Suddenly I was validated and an attractive prospect as an employee. I was picked up as a summer intern and then offered a full-time position with sign-on bonus even though I have not yet completed my thesis and graduated with my masters degree.

There are now some states that will let you sit the PE with a masters degree in engineering regardless of what your undergrad degree was in. Be careful of the wording on that Construction Management if this is a path you want to take.

 

[DRC1]

I tend to agree with francesa. A US degree will make you more marketable because it is recognized. If the state school is Penn State, they have a very highly regarded program (plus great football). Being in Grad school will give you the oppertunity to make contacts in the Work world. Traditional engineering skills are used in construction engineering and can provide very challenging design projects. Companies like Kewit or Granite or Skanska do a lot of their own engineering.

 

[CivilConcepts]

I've been employed as a civil engineer with various contractors for years but now I'm on the other side of the fence (with the consultants). As such, I'm seeking to improve my skill in the preparation of technical proposals for various works. Is there anyone out there that is kind enough to furnish me with a Terms of Reference and the matching Technical Proposal? Will love to review these documents and develop the proper concepts.