Master in Engineering - Construction

[a2mfk]

I would especially appreciate opinions of those who have worked in the construction field (on-site and project management) and as a traditional structural design engineer usually in an office, as to which they enjoyed more and for what reasons. I know what the daily grind of design SE life is like, and I see what construction PMs do but I do not know first hand about that side of things.

I am very happy with my current job situation and do not plan on changing anything for about 5 years, but I want to plan for my future and have always loved being in the field. My current job puts me in the field a couple of days a week doing forensic investigations which I really enjoy, though these are existing residential structures not construction sites.

I would like to at least have the option of going into construction project management at some point in my career. I know the current economy and job situation so we are not talking about now, probably not for a few years if everything goes according to plan.

I know I could do this without any further education, I have a BSCE, a PE, and 13 years of structural design and forensic experience, mostly in three-story buildings and less. It would take a construction company willing to bet on my knowledge and skills to learn the construction side of the coin, and I would be OK with a lower level project manager trainee type position. But compared to other entry level candidates I think I'd have a huge leg up.

The local university has a well respected engineering school and they offer a Master in Engineering in Construction Management. I could take one class a semester while working full time, I could ride my bike to the campus from my office, and get this all done in about 3.5 years. Even if I never use it, I wouldn't mind getting a MS degree as a feather in my cap. Plus my two sisters have Doctorates

The coursework greatly interests me and seems very applicable if I were to pursue a career in construction, and I can go out of department for electives or take a structural engineering course (I am thinking getting more business/accounting knowledge would help more):

CCE 5035 - Construction Planning & Scheduling

CGN 6155 - Construction Engineering I

CGN 6156 - Construction Engineering II

CGN 5125 - Legal Aspects of Civil Engineering

CGN 6905 - Structural Engineering for Construction Operations

CCE 5405 - Construction Equipment and Procedures


CCE 6038 - Civil Engineering Operations II - Innovative Construction Techniques

CGN 6905 - International Construction Practices

CGN 6905 – Engineering Project Management

Any and all thoughts are welcome. I apologize in advance if this is not appropriate for this message board but I have read similar posts before...

-AK

 

[Mr168]

If you don't mind paying the tuition money, what do you have to lose?

 

[cry22]

How about looking at it from a different angle?

Have you considered having your own construction firm?, why not start by getting a Class A general contractor's license, you will learn a lot about OSHA, construction safety, what inspectors look for, union laws, marketing, selling, overhead and mark-ups, contrcats, change orders, arbitration, construction law, how to avoid litigation, how to run your own business, LLC, Corporation, S-corporation or sole owner? etc.

As a GC, you probably will make more money than your two sisters

This may be a fast and cheap way to give you an idea of whether you want to be in the field or not. Because you are about to embark into a long and expensive process that may or may not be so rewarding.

 

[Ron]

a2...the school you are considering is, I believe, my alma mater! Great school of course. Have lectured there as a guest lecturer in Civil and Building Construction.

You can't go wrong with the degree...even if you never use it for its intended purpose. It will be good for your resume and will generally help you. I'm not sure I would suggest that you change careers as the one you contemplate is less stable, and particularly in your area, less viable...meaning you'll probably have to go to a larger market or larger construction company for more stability and long term viability.

 

[BJC]

Do it.
I am not a structural but have done lots of construction ( power plants, wafer fabs, switchyards, server farms, syntheetic fuel plants etc )on the electrical and instrumentation and startup side.
IT's just more fun. Things are different every day. And it's usually more money. Your out where the big bucks are spent.
Your out where the problems are found.
You interface with other disciplines, owners, contractors etc.

 

[abusementpark]

Great school of course.

We'll see if your football team can stay on top as well.


Anyways, back to the topic. It certainly seems like a very valuable degree if that's the direction you want to take your career. Every now and then when I get bogged down with mundane office work, I wonder about ultimately spending some time on the construction side. However, I would definitely have some of the concerns that Ron outlined.

 

[a2mfk]

Ron,
Yep, not too many programs like that in the state so it is the land of the big reptiles. In a twist of fate I was brought to this town as I went to the enemy school a couple hours northwest

The way I see this working is I don't ever HAVE to use the MS directly, as you never know what doors that will open. Even if I stay what I am doing it helps on my resume when it comes to expert witness and to impress lay people.

And even if I go get a construction job for a couple of years and figure out its not for me, that will only give me more field experience, making me a better design and forensic engineer. I wanted to pursue a MS right out of school but a pending marriage and the need for money overuled that. Now I have an opportunity where it could not be any easier logistically, work is flexible and will likely support my endeavors, and at the moment we have no kids, so WHY NOT?


cry22- I have thought about the GC route, but that is a very TOUGH business to crack, especially right now. And I have owned my own small consulting firm and been through those ups and downs, and cannot say I will never do that again but right now in my life I enjoy working for an established company with a more or less guaranteed paycheck every month.

Also, with all due respect to the GC license, it is more readily accesible to the general public than a Master in Engineering, which may not mean didly squat for most people in the field, but bigger companies doing bigger projects would likely value that additional education. And I can always get a GC license down the road if that is something that interests me. I have worked hand in hand with GCs for most of my career and have been somewhat envious of their income at times, but not of their job description, especially those that own their own small business.

In the end, I am hoping this could be a good door opener for a mid-size to big company doing larger projects. The lifestyle aspects I will have to evaluate as I get into them and my personal life changes. It may not be the ultimate road I stay on.

Thanks to everyone's input, it is valued.

 

[Ron]

a2...your thought process is spot on. Go for it. One of my partners graduated from that same school of yours! We try not to hold it against him.

I have a GC license, but I keep it inactive. It seems to give me a bit more credibility when I slam a GC in a construction failure investigation.

I actually got my GC license before my PE license, but only kept it active for a few years. I also have a Roofing Contractor's license that works for the same reason. I keep it inactive as well...only had that one active for a few years.