Building/construction management : Your skills

Employers of building/construction management graduates are interested in both your technical subject and your professional skills. Studying to degree level means you are able to assimilate new information quickly, analyse and critically examine various information sources and use them in decision making, research a problem in depth, and gather, summarise and present information.

Building/construction management courses help you develop:

• specific skills in logical thinking, numeracy and computing, as well as the  ability to deal with both complex technical detail and the wider demands of a project;
• an awareness of issues when planning and managing construction projects, such as cost, environmental considerations and building regulations;
• an understanding of health and safety within the construction industry;
• an understanding of effective leadership skills and effective management of employees;
• areas of technical expertise and interest.

Courses that include group project work and seminars enable you to develop team skills and communication skills, for example report writing and making presentations.

Some building/management courses include a sandwich year (a year out working in industry) or work placements. Alternatively, you can apply for work placement opportunities with construction companies in your vacation. Typical skills developed on placement include:

• project and time management;
• problem-solving;
• self-reliance and initiative;
• business awareness;
• strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build business relationships and negotiate the commercial interest of your client.

Special projects or work placements are useful in identifying your personal skill mix.