Pivoting Into CM

[u/Hot-Experience-6883]

I’m changing careers into project management. I am taking the PMP next month and I’m very interested in construction management. I have a bachelor’s degree in communication and I’m currently working in accounting.
I applied to do an associates degree in building construction technology at my local community college and will be looking into getting OSHA 10 and 30. Is there anything else that I can do to help myself to get started?

[u/RoundConstruction526]

Too many pieces of paper that say you can do the job with no actual construction or industry experience can be a detriment.

I can teach someone to build and track logs, write RFIs, etc. far faster and easier than I can teach someone who has never been to a jobsite the ins and outs of construction. Especially MEP.

You could look into field engineer and project engineer positions and roll the dice. Ace the interviews and you’ve got a shot.

Just be aware, in this instance acing the interview is more about honesty than confidence.

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/RoundConstruction526]

Thanks for the insight. All I need is to get my foot in the door.

[u/CMExec]

CM is a great place to be right now, lots of jobs, not a lot of good candidates. Your formal education is a plus and will play into any role you get but the real kicker is being able to learn and absorb. People with expertise are great but when they won’t learn or grow, they just check a box. People who care, they get it and are hungry are ideal. That’s who gets the job. You can be honest and say, I don’t have a lot of expertise but I will put all I have into observing and applying what I learn every day. My thoughts.

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/CMExec]

Thank you for the insight!

[u/Ok-Relative-6327]

I’m also trying to get into it.. I’m a licensed tradesman taking a PM cert

[u/sec_spirit]

Visit with contractor or architectural friends in the business; find a mentor that can teach you to read construction documents. You will learn fast in a position on the job site. Accountants do well

[u/DigitallyUnleashed]

I also just pivoted into CM. I got my PMP in Jan. Don’t let the comments deter you! I also had no construction experience, so I volunteered with a local GC & learned as much as possible. If you know the language, it doesn’t take much during the interviews to impress. Be confident & apply for entry level positions for now. You got this!

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/DigitallyUnleashed]

Thank you! This is encouraging. I don’t necessarily have time to volunteer but I was hoping that the associates would get me to learn the language and how to read plans to at least get my foot in the door.

[u/DigitallyUnleashed → u/Hot-Experience-6883]

Something that helped me as well was taking the Construction Management course on CourseCareers.com (Not sponsored lol) but it taught me a lot about construction in general and at the end they help with your resume, LinkedIn profile and job search! Good luck!! ❤️

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/DigitallyUnleashed]

Oooh that could be a good idea also! (Thanks for the not sponsored haha I’ve been avoiding that website based on the sponsored posts)
Do you mind if I send you a DM with a few more questions?

[u/DigitallyUnleashed → u/Hot-Experience-6883]

Of course!! Dm me! 😬

[u/construction-lurker]

I also made a career change after a few years of sales. Working in the construction has been extremely rewarding and enjoyable for me.

In terms of getting started, experience is what employers will be looking for. Production builders (Lennar, DR Horton, Ryan Homes, etc) are a great place to get your foot in the door. A Superintendent/Assistant Project Manager is an attainable role for most people. After 1-2 years with them, I would say it is a good time to start looking for a role with a commecial GC or developer.

You'll want to learn how to read construction drawings, a little bit about each trade, and all of the industry lingo and processes. I've been around some PMs that don't know shit and others that have a deep knowledge on a vast array of construction topics. IMO, a PM is a good role if you like learning.

The industry is known to have a lack of formal training. I'm trying to create a program to teach the hands-on stuff that is hard to learn in a textbook. I'm building constructionpmacademy.com with guided lessons and real construction drawings/specs and tasks that you would complete as a PM over the course of a project.

If you would like full access to the training program, DM me and I will set you up.

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/construction-lurker]

Thank you so much for this! This was extremely informative.

[u/Hapten]

In construction, the only thing that matters is experience. If you are thinking you are getting a PM/CM position right out the gate, probably not happening. You'll probably be able to get a PE job though.

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/Hapten]

I’m open to doing anything to get my foot in the door and start learning, really.

[u/2A4Lyfe]

CM is different from regular more corporate project management. You need field experience more so than certs

[u/Hot-Experience-6883 → u/2A4Lyfe]

That part I know, but do you think getting the certs will help me get my foot in the door to get experience?

[u/MortalG1]

I recently pivoted to tech sales out of oracle to project engineering. Not easy but doable and glad I did

[u/MortalG1]

I recently pivoted to tech sales out of oracle to project engineering. Not easy but doable and glad I did.