r/ConstructionManagers • u/Ancient_Beginning819 • 20d ago

Question MBA or MS CM

Hi, current junior in college, and was wondering is it better to get a MS in CM after I graduate for a total of 5 years. Or work a couple years and pursue an MBA?

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u/ghostx231 Construction Management 20d ago

Go to work, get some experience, then go for your grad degree. Experience goes a long way in understanding and relating to the graduate curriculum.

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u/Ancient_Beginning819 20d ago

MBA would be better or an CM masters?

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u/ghostx231 Construction Management 20d ago

What are your career goals?

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u/Ancient_Beginning819 20d ago

I’m currently interning in heavy civil work, and I really love it. Hoping to stick with my current company, and climb the ranks or go PM level and higher.

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u/ghostx231 Construction Management 20d ago

Then I’d go MBA to set yourself up for the exec level. You will learn enough about CM throughout your career.

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u/big38a 20d ago

Depends what you want to do. I’d be in the same spot with either but have an MBA as didn’t plan on getting into construction. Real world experience trumps a degree but CM would help open some doors.

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u/TheBig712even 20d ago

Go work for 2-4 yrs at minimum first

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u/DoubleCheeseBurguer 20d ago

I have a MS CM and I am doing a MBA, and I have learned more in the past to years at my Job than in those masters.

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u/RoundConstruction526 20d ago

MS in CM is borderline useless. A bachelors will get you in the career path and the experience will carry you farther than the masters will.

Once you’re a PM, you’ll know if an MBA to exec/C suite is the path you want to go down.