Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
I am looking into getting in the field of construction Project Management, but I do not have any construction experience. What I have is the standard project management knowledge, skills and methodologies which is application to any project. I am just limited in the in the industry experience such as Construction. I would like to know how can I get my foot in the door, what do I have to know initially or skills I have I need, what beginner certifications I have to obtain to get started and work in the field as a construction project manager? Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Elaine,
Having knowledge of estimation, code, regulations and compliance with in construction project management are unique skills. If I had those it would probably help my situation a little. But most companies would require 3 to 7 years of experience. Making it harder for candidates who want to get in the field to have a chance.
Thanks for you contribution! Saving Changes...
MOHAMED ANSARI M AIndependent Consultant| FreelanceKozhikode, Kerala, India
Subject knowledge and experience in the field have really an edge over mere certification
With the years of experience in the field what I would suggest is to enter into a construction firm with your IT skills (There is now increased use of technologies like BIM, GIS etc)
Another option is to study a Survey related course (Total station or GPS survey) and enter any construction company
Once you are in, you have the luxury of intimate association with real projects and can slowly shift to project management
Good luck
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1 reply by Esmeal Sheriff
Dec 27, 2018 2:38 PM
Esmeal Sheriff
...
Mohamed,
Thank you very much. I highly appreciate your advise. I am considering each one as significant point views including yours. I will have to one way of the other find a way to get in the door of a company that undertake construction projects, so I can work my way to be a more efficient construction project manager. Thank you!!!
Saving Changes...
MARK A ANNUNZIATA, SrVP/EXPERT CONSULTANCY TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY| ROMAN STRUCTURES, INC WELLINGTON FLDammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Esmeal-
I am happy to see your desire to enter the Construction Industry.
Our Industry is very tough and demanding at every level. In my opinion, you should apply to a Project Manager as a participant on his Execution team. Most Likely, you will start by performing basic quality control babysitting of one particular division of Vendors or Subcontractors. For example, I would hire you to monitor the drywall installation Vendor,y, and you would learn "by doing" all the critical requirements, specs and building codes that apply to good Drywall installation. Along the way you would pick up the Doc Control, Schedule Performance, Safety Monitoring, and Psychology required to drive this activity. You will not find these qualities within your studies.
As you progress, remember that the activities you would be supervising numbers quantitatively in the 100's, Your PM is addressing 10,000 of these.tasks on a weekly basis.
I hope this gives you an idea about the task ahead. The Construction Industry is primarily an experience/lessons learned driven occupation. Great Project Managers are really born and not made- it takes a special mentality to mentor teams of very tough individuals, drive low performing vendors, and maintain good KPI's in the face of many obstacles, and monitor all the small details that result in a great Deliverable.
Good Luck from the Trenches!
M
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1 reply by Esmeal Sheriff
Dec 27, 2018 2:57 PM
Esmeal Sheriff
...
Hello mark,
Thank you also for your insight. All all the tasks you named, I have applied some of those skills relatively, but the only difference is that I have not work in construction before. Take for instance, Vendors or contractors management, Documentation and Safety Monitoring are all skills that I have applied in previous roles, but non construction related, which brings to say that I have limited knowledge in the specs and building codes. But I am always ready to learn new things and grow, so it wouldn't be an issue if someone mentor me through the first stages where I get the concept and apply consistently.
The difference between the 100 and 10,000 is huge, so I can imagine what they go through managing these projects. I think construction project management is a good domain and I will make it my goal to learn more about it the industry.
Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Dec 17, 2018 9:31 PM
Replying to MOHAMED ANSARI M A
...
Subject knowledge and experience in the field have really an edge over mere certification
With the years of experience in the field what I would suggest is to enter into a construction firm with your IT skills (There is now increased use of technologies like BIM, GIS etc)
Another option is to study a Survey related course (Total station or GPS survey) and enter any construction company
Once you are in, you have the luxury of intimate association with real projects and can slowly shift to project management
Good luck
Mohamed,
Thank you very much. I highly appreciate your advise. I am considering each one as significant point views including yours. I will have to one way of the other find a way to get in the door of a company that undertake construction projects, so I can work my way to be a more efficient construction project manager. Thank you!!! Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Dec 18, 2018 3:56 PM
Replying to MARK A ANNUNZIATA, Sr
...
Esmeal-
I am happy to see your desire to enter the Construction Industry.
Our Industry is very tough and demanding at every level. In my opinion, you should apply to a Project Manager as a participant on his Execution team. Most Likely, you will start by performing basic quality control babysitting of one particular division of Vendors or Subcontractors. For example, I would hire you to monitor the drywall installation Vendor,y, and you would learn "by doing" all the critical requirements, specs and building codes that apply to good Drywall installation. Along the way you would pick up the Doc Control, Schedule Performance, Safety Monitoring, and Psychology required to drive this activity. You will not find these qualities within your studies.
As you progress, remember that the activities you would be supervising numbers quantitatively in the 100's, Your PM is addressing 10,000 of these.tasks on a weekly basis.
I hope this gives you an idea about the task ahead. The Construction Industry is primarily an experience/lessons learned driven occupation. Great Project Managers are really born and not made- it takes a special mentality to mentor teams of very tough individuals, drive low performing vendors, and maintain good KPI's in the face of many obstacles, and monitor all the small details that result in a great Deliverable.
Good Luck from the Trenches!
M
Hello mark,
Thank you also for your insight. All all the tasks you named, I have applied some of those skills relatively, but the only difference is that I have not work in construction before. Take for instance, Vendors or contractors management, Documentation and Safety Monitoring are all skills that I have applied in previous roles, but non construction related, which brings to say that I have limited knowledge in the specs and building codes. But I am always ready to learn new things and grow, so it wouldn't be an issue if someone mentor me through the first stages where I get the concept and apply consistently.
The difference between the 100 and 10,000 is huge, so I can imagine what they go through managing these projects. I think construction project management is a good domain and I will make it my goal to learn more about it the industry. Saving Changes...
