High School

If you are thinking about a career in construction management, chances are you have a knack for building things. Industrial arts classes such as woodworking, welding, and drafting and design will give you good background experience for the construction industry.

Construction managers are savvy business professionals as well. Give yourself a solid introduction to the business side of this job by taking classes such as accounting, finance, management, and mathematics. Learning Spanish will also be helpful since Spanish-speaking workers make up a large part of the construction workforce in certain areas of the country. Other important classes include computer science, English, and speech.

Postsecondary Education

Many construction managers have an associate's or bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering. A typical class load for students studying construction science, for example, includes construction methods, building codes, engineering, site planning, and cost estimating. Some even earn their master's degree in these fields. Others earn graduate degrees in business administration or finance to expand their job skills. Visit http://www.acce-hq.org for information on accredited programs.

Other Education or Training

The Construction Management Association of America offers a standards of practice course that helps construction managers master the construction management core competencies. It also offers webinars on new software and other technology and general practice issues. Associated General Contractors of America offers online classes and webinars that cover topics such as management skills, business writing, and job-site safety issues. The National Association of Home Builders offers courses, webinars, and continuing education opportunities for construction professionals. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification and Licensing

Certification is available from the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) after successful completion of a written examination and verification of relevant work experience. Two designations are offered—associate constructor and certified professional constructor. Examinations cover different specialties of the construction industry, including commercial, industrial, residential, mechanical, and electrical.

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) offers the designation of certified construction manager to applicants who pass an examination and meet educational and experience requirements. While AIC and CMAA certification programs are voluntary, many industry professionals chose to become certified, increasing their chances for promotion. Many employers look favorably on job candidates with certification.

Several years of experience in the construction industry is necessary before becoming eligible to enter the field of construction management.

Construction managers must have a thorough understanding of the construction business ranging from the hands-on side to the managerial. They should be able to understand blueprints and technical drawings, and be familiar with the various tools and building materials used in this industry. Some construction managers may use computer-aided design programs to help with revising blueprints. Excellent supervisory skills are also needed to keep a project moving according to schedule, while at the same time motivating a crew to perform their best work.

Managers must be good communicators since they deal with many different types of people throughout the course of a building project, from engineers and city officials to trades people. Managers are often under great pressure to prepare contracts and bid on projects, as well as address any problems that arise during the project. For example, if a preordered amount of steel is short of that needed to finish a structure, construction managers must be able to find more materials quickly, but without going beyond the project's budget.