If I am interested in careers in construction, should I study engineering or construction management?
Asked by Rob L
If I am interested in careers in construction, should I study engineering or construction management? I am interested in careers anywhere from design to site management. Which college major would offer me the most flexibility possible careers? Also, would a degree in Civil with a concentration in construction be comparable/equivalent to a degree in Construction management?

Best Answer:
You would have more options in getting a civil degree of the choices you've given. While civil involves mainly sitework and infrastructure design, a degree as a professional engineer or architect is more suited to designing structures. You will still have enough education pursuing the professional degrees, architect, civil engineer or professional engineer to be able to enter a supervisory position if you choose. Look for work in that field over summer/breaks.

An engineering degree is the way to go if you are interested in designing the systems that go into a construction project. Your career path would most likely lead to more office oriented positions working with other engineers and architects in designing projects. If outside work is appealing, then a civil engineering degree could lead to careers in surveying, materials testing, and roadway construction. You could certainly use an engineering degree to get a job with a construction company without a problem. However, if you want to get your P.E., you probably want to work for an engineering firm and not a construction company. If project design is not interesting to you then get the construction management degree. This degree will lead to either office or field jobs in project management, quality control, safety management, or estimating. Either degree will give you many career options. It more or less comes down to what you want to do.
Answered by wesleyturner