Employers

About 471,800 construction managers are employed in the United States. They work for specialty trade contractor businesses (e.g., plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical), residential building construction firms, and nonresidential building construction firms. Other construction managers worked for the government and for architectural, engineering, and related services firms. About 40 percent are self-employed as construction firm owners.

Starting Out

Working on a green building project is the way to test the waters while gaining valuable skills. Search the Career Headquarters section of the Construction Management Association of America's Web site (http://cmaanet.org/career-hq) to learn more about green construction employment and internship opportunities.

Green builders who work for construction companies can advance by assuming more responsibilities, handling more complex projects, and moving up the ranks to management or executive positions. If they already hold a master's degree in construction management, they can enhance their marketability through a graduate degree in business administration or finance. Builders can also advance by becoming independent consultants and starting their own building companies. Others may become professors. 

Visit the following Web sites for job listings:

• http://byf.org
• http://www.indeed.com/q-Green-Construction-jobs.html
• http://www.cmaanet.org/career-hq

Join professional associations, such as the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), to access training and networking resources, industry publications, and employment opportunities.

Attend the annual convention of the CMAA to network and interview for jobs.

Become certified by Green Business Certification Inc. and other organizations to show employers that you have met the highest standards established by your industry.

Participate in internships or part-time jobs that are arranged by your college’s career services office. Visit the following Web sites for information on internships: https://www.indeed.com/q-Green-Building-Internship-jobs.html and http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/greendreamjobs/jobs.