It’s a choice that you probably made when you played pretend with your Lego sets all those years ago as a child, but the construction industry is more than a plastic brick world. Once you commit to it, you’re responsible for the safety and security of thousands of people, from your workforce to the people who will ultimately reside and work in the building you’re erecting. So before you jump into this field of work, you need to know if you’re apt for the job. In general, you’d fare better if you’re armed with a degree in engineering or construction management and if you’re the kind who:

· Pays attention to detail: When you become a construction manager, you’re going to become involved in all the projects that your company handles. You’ll generally be responsible for handling details related to the workforce, materials and equipment and also for coordinating schedules and ensuring that materials are delivered on time. A degree in construction management comes in handy when you’re employed at a senior level, but if you’re just starting out, you would be working under a manager and following direct orders from them.

· Doesn’t mind working long hours: When you’re part of the construction management team, you’re the person in charge of the day-to-day operations. And this means you need to be ready to handle any emergencies that may come up at any hour of the day or night. You’ll have to put in long hours at the site and at your desk because paperwork is important too.

· Is passionate about construction: It’s an industry that’s plagued by ups and downs, and with the way the economy is at present, the construction industry which took a really hard hit seems to be recovering very slowly. If you belong to this profession, you need to be able to deal with the way its fortunes swing and take the rough with the smooth.

It’s a fulfilling profession, but one that demands your effort and time. So if you don’t mind working hard and dedicating yourself to your job, perhaps construction management is your cup of tea.

If you’re interested in becoming a construction manager, you will find yourself deeply involved in each project, from concept to ribbon-cutting. You’ll oversee details regarding the workforce, materials, equipment, and safety issues for workers and the surrounding community. This is done by dividing site activities into logical steps during the planning stage, and monitoring each step along the way to ensure the project meets deadline and budget requirements. Your job may involve working directly with the architect or engineer on design specifications. It’s crucial that you understand both the ‘big picture’ and the minute details that go into making it a reality.

** This guest post is contributed by Nicole Adams, she writes on the topic of construction management degree . She welcomes your comments at her email id: nicole.adams83@gmail.com .