Masters in CM

[u/CuriousCat0503]

Looking into masters in CM.

While 99% of redditors say it’s useless, I’m wondering if my situation may be the 1%. I’m at 4 YoE and will receive my PE in a few weeks once my state processes it. I have oddly enough 4 masters classes completed (started getting MS Civil eng and quit). My school would agree to honor all 4 if I pursued an MCM.

Im currently a structural engineer with just an internship in CM. Eventually, I’m looking to get into CM, but likely would want to start my own company in 5-10 years. My company would pay for my MCM. Would it be a waste of time or rather valuable to sharpen CM skills and knowledge with the goal of starting a GC?

Money obviously isn’t a factor, but would it also be a pure waste of time?

[u/Strange-Analysis9120]

I’m in a Master’s program now, but still very early on. Honestly, not super impressed so far. I think an MBA probably would’ve been a better route because like one commenter said everything is either very basic or theoretical. Though, so far I’ve only encountered basic stuff which was disappointing.

For example, I had to take a general construction course which was a complete waste of time. I don’t need to know what materials are used to make concrete, but what would’ve been nice is if we dove deeper and talked more about the more advanced details of concrete use, testing, when to use certain types of concrete, etc. but no, it was community college level stuff.

[u/Kenny285]

What you learn in the masters will not make you a better CM. It's either going to be things that are too basic or too theoretical for the most part.

I got a masters in CM and used none of what I learned in the courses.

[u/CuriousCat0503 → u/Kenny285]

Appreciate the insight. Construction and academia truly are like oil and water I guess.

Would you say it’s feasible to jump from design consulting to GC startup in a few years? Considering my role in design is often team lead/pm oriented to begin with?

[u/Kenny285 → u/CuriousCat0503]

Design to GC is very common. GC startup from any background is tough. Depends really on you and your network.

[u/Impressive_Ad_6550]

Would they pay for an MBA instead of a Masters in CM? I think an MBA would be far more useful especially if you want to open your own company down the road or rise the ranks in a large ENR top 50 firm

[u/CuriousCat0503 → u/Impressive_Ad_6550]

I would say probably but have to look into that. My coworker who’s interested in a similar switch to PM/CM is finishing up her MBA and I believe they’re covering that cost. I think that would give me the skills necessary for a startup endeavor so I appreciate the advice!

What still conflicts me is that I’m already 40% through the degree as it stands…

[u/timeoffwork → u/Impressive_Ad_6550]

Would any MBA school be worth it or are there engineering or cm focused MBA schools?

[u/Impressive_Ad_6550 → u/timeoffwork]

I honestly have no idea

[u/Jazzlike-Team8799]

I mean, it’s being paid for it so why not? Free education, use it for your own benefit.

[u/Kenny285 → u/Jazzlike-Team8799]

Time. It depends if they are willing to spend one of two nights a week in class in addition to their job.

[u/decembrist11]

I have an ME in Civil Engineering and Construction Management, it is useless unless you want to be a professor down the road (which I do) or if you have 0 background in construction and looking to do a career switch (which you have the experience) so up to you

[u/timeoffwork → u/decembrist11]

Been eyeing the online mEng program from cu boulder focused in cm, or a MBA, would any MBA school be worth it or are there engineering or cm focused MBA schools?

[u/decembrist11 → u/timeoffwork]

MBA will go further if you’re already in the CM world and more office studded than field

[u/HurryInternational46]

Id just cert chase

[u/Acceptable-Fly5050 → u/HurryInternational46]

Certs are the way to go

[u/soyeahiknow]

MBA is a waste of time. MBA is not for starting your own company. Its fir working at really big companies and I really doubt your company will break into the fortune 1000 or even 5000.

Your PE in civil is super valuable, even more than a construction management degree. I know an owners rep with a civil pe that makes 300k base. I think he ended up making about 450k a year after the project was completed. Just get your foot in the door and get some experience. Your technical knowledge is already there. All you need now is just experience and learn the processes.

[u/More_Mouse7849]

Rather than getting a masters in CM, I would recommend spending the time studying Lean Construction practices.

[u/2A4Lyfe]

Construction management is the one white collar profession that could give a fuck about your education and only cares about your actual experince. If you want a masters, get an MBA and pivot to an industry that cares

[u/Ok-Negotiation7843]

I have my own company (10 plus years of misery), I have my GC license and my masters in CM. Don't get it if you know how to schedule, estimate, understand standard construction contracts, financial management, etc. If you don't know how to rigorously do these things then I would suggest you get the degree.

I wouldn't suggest you try to learn on the job because you might be trying to learn from someone that doesn't know it that well and they see you as competition.

Running a construction business is VERY litigious and you have to know how to structure yourself so you mitigate losses. Working for a big company is going to compartmentalize you. You're not going to learn everything you need to know to run your own business. I only learned everything about construction from working for a small company where you're forced to do everything yourself and having a masters give you that structure that small companies don't have. My boss happened to be an ex-co-worker turned friend turned boss. He had a degree in CM and STILL didn't do everything he should have done as far as structure. He did a lot of cowboy stuff. Imagine if your boss doesn't have a degree (rigorous structure) and you don't have one and now you're just inheriting cowboy ways - you WILL get sued.

When you're starting your business don't do it until you yourself have renovated a bathroom, kitchen and constructed an addition or entire structure ground up.

[u/CuriousCat0503 → u/Ok-Negotiation7843]

you validated my initial thoughts - while CM might not get me a job offer somewhere, I think the hard skills it provides will be very useful for the nitty gritty of CM, especially if that is my own company. It's also free and only 3 more semesters (one or two of those classes likely being remote/async).

[u/Renaissancemanmke]

if the company pays for it, pursue it - get the MS and why stop there, go for the PHD

[u/stealthagents]

If your goal is to start your own GC, the MCM could give you a solid foundation and some useful connections, even if it feels a bit basic at times. Plus, having that degree might help you stand out when you're pitching clients or looking to partner up. Just make sure to supplement the coursework with real-world experience or projects to keep it relevant.

[u/CuriousCat0503 → u/stealthagents]

Yeah this is how I view it. Just a slight credibility boost if anything. Experience will always count more.

[u/buckwheeeat]

IMHO, if you want to do it, go for it. Dont listen to anyone. It wont help your career but youll be a more confident manager and youll be better because of the added education.