Construction managers are in charge of supervising workers, planning, directing, coordinating, and budgeting a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Construction managers oversee the building of structures, roads, bridges, wastewater treatment facilities, schools, and hospitals. Construction managers also operate as on-site human resource representatives who coordinate and schedule the selection, hiring, and managing of specialty trade contractors, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. Construction managers may work individually in self operated consulting businesses or within organizations as salaried employees.

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Construction managers must possess innate leadership and organizational skills. Construction managers must be motivated individuals with great communication skills and a great ability to manage work related stress caused by deadlines and delays. Construction managers must also be technologically and mathematically inclined. Construction managers must be able to delegate responsibilities, resources, and personnel to complete a multitude of building projects while managing costs, meeting budgets, and finishing projects before deadlines.

High school students with aspirations of becoming construction managers may prepare by participating in courses like: English, algebra, accounting, psychology, physics, and physical education. Many high schools offer trade or vocational training in construction programs that allow individuals hands on training in the field of construction. Students who work summers for contractors, builders, road crews, and other construction industries often increase their chances of acceptance into a certificate diploma program or college level degree program.

Students may participate in a certificate diploma program offered through trade or vocational schools accredited by the Building Industry Association. Students study courses related to all aspects of construction management to gain an increased understanding of the profession and expand work experience. Students participate in courses like: accounting aspects of construction, basic estimating and bidding, construction management fundamentals, CPM scheduling, estimating management, labor and employment law and managing employee relations, legal aspects of construction, managing a construction business, negotiations and contracts, and project administration and management. Students who complete certificate programs may advance studies to college level degree programs or gain entry level employment as constructive mangers.

An associates degree program allows individuals to expand educational and career opportunities in the field of construction manager. Students participating in two year programs train in construction management courses like: construction drawing, surveying, physics, psychology, fundamentals of construction management, project controls, cost estimating and analysis, estimating management, labor and employment law, and managing employee relations. Graduates may advance to higher degree programs or gain employment after completing licensing exams offered through the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors.

A bachelors degree program allows individuals to gain education and career training to become a construction manager. Students participate in courses like:construction accounting, hazard management, green building, fundamentals of project management, project scheduling, construction law, blue print reading, surveying, physics, and communications. Graduates may voluntarily certify for licensing exams offered through the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors to demonstrate their abilities and gain employment as construction managers.

A masters degree in construction management allows students to advance educational and career opportunities. Students in a graduate degree program participate in courses like site planning, design, project control, cost estimation, scheduling, business management, safety codes, inspection procedures, and architectural science. Students usually must complete a masters thesis and an internship program under the supervision of a qualified construction manager before graduating. Upon graduation, voluntary certification offered through the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Construction to demonstrate their abilities. Upon completion of educational and licensing requirements, individuals may enter the work force as construction managers.

A doctoral degree in construction management allows candidates to become experts in the field. Students participate in courses like: construction contracts, project management methods in construction, cost analysis and estimating, project scheduling, methods and principles of lean production, legal issues in construction, construction information systems, construction management advanced topics, and the completion of a publishable dissertation. Upon completion of a doctoral degree program, students are qualified to be expert construction managers to teach others as professors or research the field of construction management.