If your LEGO structures were the talk of the playground when you were a kid, then perhaps you've considered a career in construction management. Like the name suggests, a construction manager is an individual who manages all phased of a construction project, from initial planning to final construction. To build your own career as a construction manager, you'll need plenty of on-the-job training in addition to enrolling in construction management courses at a college, university, or career institute.

Construction managers helm a wide variety of residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects, though most will specialize in one area. Depending on the scope of the project, a construction manager may be hired to supervise all or just part of the process. Construction managers-also called general contractors, construction supervisors, and project engineers-can be hired by a construction company or be self-employed. In addition to knowing a thing or two about construction, construction managers also must have a great deal of communication skills, as they are required to work with teams of people to get the job done.

Construction managers are involved with construction projects from the original concept and design to the final phase of construction. Their overall goal is to complete the project on time and within the proposed budget. In order to do this, construction managers work with engineers, architects, electricians, and crews of workers and are often on call for a project when not working on the actual job site. Construction projects, depending on their size and nature, can often be a very lengthy process, with some taking years to complete. Therefore, construction managers must be committed to working on the same project and with the same groups of people for a long time.

There are many phases of a construction project, and a construction manager may be in charge of one or all of them. Project phases include site preparation, the installation of sewage systems, landscaping and road construction, excavation and laying of foundations, and constructing systems like plumbing and air conditioning. In addition to ensuring the safety and security of the final occupants or users of the structure, construction managers must also work to maintain a safe construction site for workers by adhering to strict guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Building a Career from the Ground Up
While hands-on experience is vital for any construction manager, construction companies are also eager to hire employees who have earned a bachelor's degree in areas like construction science, civil engineering, or construction management. Still, construction workers with years of on-the-job experience have also been known to be promoted to construction management positions.
 
There are a number of colleges and universities in the country that offer bachelor's degree programs in construction science. Construction management courses cover a wide range of subjects such as site planning, design, project control and development, contract administration, building codes and standards, engineering, financial management, and architecture. There are also a number of graduate programs in construction management; those who enroll in the master's degree programs are usually looking to become construction managers at large companies that deal with industrial or commercial building.
 
In addition to academic programs in construction management, there are a number of certification options. While certification is not always required, it is often preferred by employers, particularly because certification in construction shows evidence of a manager's competence, particularly when it comes to safety standards.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for construction managers will increase by 16 percent by 2016. The annual salary of a construction manager is dependent on a variety of factors, including size and location of a site, but the BLS reported that the median salary for construction managers in 2006 was $73,700.
 
If working on a construction site appeals to you, then set your sights on construction management courses and get certified or earn a degree to start your career as a construction manager.