Morgan Lerette ⋅ Glendale, AZ AAA ⋅ 6 years experience

I concur with Stephanie. I had a number of college friends completing both fields of study. During the worst of the recession, none of the engineers were job hunting. I can only speak of my own experience but I noticed those who had performed poorly in engineering degree programs usually transferred to construction management degrees. To Stephanie's point, you can move from engineering to construction mgmt but the opposite is not true.

Morgan

Stephanie Arnold ⋅ Lake Odessa, MI Cargill ⋅ 10 years experience

I'm sure there are others who have more practical experience, but at the company I work for, our engineers are the ones who manage all of our construction projects, so I'd say go for the Engineering degree. You'll be able to get into construction management just fine, whereas a Construction Management degree might not necessarily open many engineering positions.

Just my two cents!
- Stephanie

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Get your Engineering degree first. Later perhaps an Industrial Engineering degree, later still, a degree in Law. (I have all three).

Then get some heavy duty "Hands-On" experience.

You will blow away all the competition.

You will find a job that will lead very quickly to senior management in most companies.

After that start your own consulting company. (I did).

Brad Wilder ⋅ Lexington, KY Intech Contracting ⋅ 8 years experience

If you have the patience to stick with the hard classes, I would make every effort to stick with engineering. This is nothing at all against construction management programs. My father and my boss are both construction management grads and are top-notch professionals. Still, not having an engineering degree and not being on a path to licensure will close a lot of doors for career progress, especially mid-career where you may be competing with engineers for jobs. In my experience, this is especially true if you want to work in a government agency for example. The CM career path in Departments of Transportation tend to pull from engineering ranks and the non-engineering backgrounds steer toward technician and field-oriented careers. Also, if you want to get into consulting at all, licensure goes a long way. With the exception of a few states, this requires an ABET accredited engineering degree. I think your communications degree will help too. I know when looking at applicants, I tend to be squeamish toward engineers that seem too technically-oriented (ironic as it sounds). Management takes some tact and ability to deal with various types of people, so your previous background will help. I would say that if you stick with engineering, try to fit in some business classes. Accounting knowledge in particular has been very helpful to me since construction management intersects with accounting on almost a daily basis. Maybe even consider a business minor or a concentration in construction management within your engineering degree if that is offered. Good luck!!

Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

Maria, thank you for your service. I am a retired chemical engineer/manager and agree with Stephanie and Morgan’s advice. My additional suggestion is to ask around before committing to study "industrial" engineering. While active the business world considered civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical to be the “real” engineers and “industrial” to be a cut below. If that is still an issue you could seek a four year program that starts with general engineering and delays selecting your specialty for a couple years.
Good luck, Bill Nobles
P.S. Maria I just found this posting from a UPS representative which suggests my advice may be out of date:
"In my experience at UPS an industrial engineering degree is highly desirable. Even if you don't go into an IE field it's a well respected degree."

Ken Wilke ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ BioStrategy Solutions, LLC ⋅ 25 years experience

I suggest that you try to do some informational interviews with the major engineering / construction management firms such as Jacobs, Turner, and Fluor. This will give you an idea of some of the specific opportunities out there for recent graduates and how your degree might impact your long-term career path. Here is a link to a listing of firms:http://www.bdcnetwork.com/2013-giants-300-report. Facility management with a company like Jones Lang Lasalle or Johnson Controls might be another area worth looking into.

I have some contacts in the industry and would be happy to try to connect you with them if you would like to pursue this. Feel free to contact me at wilkek@ymail.com.

Ken

Joe Floyd ⋅ Norfolk, VA U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman ⋅ 4 years served

As an Air Force veteran and business owner, now semi retired thank you for your service. Having been in the construction field I have found that having a construction management background with a couple of years in engineering to be the right combination. However be sure that either or is good. Construction managers are always in demand because they preform very important functions from estimation, to construction to profitability. They are challenged to look not for problems but opportunities to direct a project considering all the intangibles that make the project profitable or un profitable. I would always look for the best opportunity where one could be sought after for his general expertise and people skills.

Good Luck

Joe

USAF

Tim Thompson ⋅ Klamath Falls, OR TTK Energy ⋅ 33 years experience

Maria,
Don't give up - in spite of the difficult Diff E class. Most all engineers have had classes that we nearly failed but found a way to get past them. I think IE is a great choice for the versatility you will have when you graduate. Get that piece of paper to hang on your wall !!! But don't stop there, plan on becoming a PE to further differentiate yourself from the pack. Don't be overwhelmed right now. You've learned to focus on the task at hand and be creative about solving problems in your own way. Good luck, Tim

Cindy Munnell ⋅ Auburn, WA Boeing ⋅ 18 years experience

Maria,

First, thank you for your service! I work in aerospace and help with recruiting efforts, resumes and interviewing skills. In my experience, many companies are very worried about the lack of prospective candidates that can help their business grow, innovate and survive in tough global competition, in the STEM fields, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. All these fields are highly sought after and will be for many years to come. Many major businesses are already seeing their workforce aging out and retiring, and there is a huge gap in up and coming Engineers in these fields. The field is wide open for you to explore where your passion might be. Even though you have experience in one field, don't let that box you in unecessarily, it can just round out what you know.

STEVE SWENERTON ⋅ Boulder, CO SWENERTON CONSULTING, INC ⋅ 43 years experience

Hi Maria,
You have an interesting choice ahead of you. My advice will center around you and what environment you are most comfortable in. My daughter in law is a construction superintendent for a large commercial company. She is very successful and enjoys it a lot. She loves going to work and having new experiences every day. However, there are some aspects that you have to ask yourself if you are comfortable with such as: Are you okay working in an environment that is largely male-dominated? Are you okay with confrontation, because things do not always go right on construction jobs and there is a necessity to deal with sub-contractors, clients, and others where there are issues to be dealt with. Construction is largely outside work and hours can be unpredictable. Do you like things to be stable and consistent or do you welcome change and surprises? Is project management what you seek, because that is what construction management is all about? You have to be able to handle stress and be a calm decision maker and problem solver. This is a people job. Your communications degree might help here.

Industrial engineering is largely an office job with a necessity for being able to handle details and meet deadlines. There is some on-site work, but most is in an office environment. So, if being out of the spotlight is okay with you and a predictable environment is what you would most like, then this is the field for you.

So, do some introspection and think about what you are most comfortable with and what you want to do on a day to day basis. Which of the environments I described above would make you most excited to got to work? Your answer will direct you.

June R Massoud ⋅ Burlington, VT School Boards/Teaching, Tutoring Business and Technical Business ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Maria, I don't think you should give up. I'd be willing to give you tips on your courses and I'd be willing to tutor you from a distance. Differential equations is not too complicated. You just have to know the rules of calculus. Why don't you talk to me by email and I'll help you with your engineering courses. I'm willing to tutor you from a distance and have myself, as well, refresh my knowledge. I won't charge you and I'll be your coach. After all, we're both two lady engineers. You could email me at: junermassoud@hotmail.com.
I'll do my best, even if I have to refer to books. I love Differential Equations and I used to be very good at Physics as well. My phone number also, if you want to call me, is: 1-514-336-4698. Email me and let me know when's a good time to phone. You should also encourage the other veterans to become engineers instead of managers.

June R Massoud ⋅ Burlington, VT School Boards/Teaching, Tutoring Business and Technical Business ⋅ 25 years experience

I think you're better off getting a degree in industrial engineering, before getting a degree in management, or in lieu thereof, because there aren't that many management jobs available, as compared to engineering jobs. Furthermore, engineers solve technical problems that managers can't and that's always an ace in your pocket. Best, June

Sarah Young ⋅ Springfield, VA Evolve Tele-Services, Inc ⋅ 15 years experience

With your DOD years plus a degree in engineering, you could feasibly do CM work in the DOS. My husband is a CE and works for the DOS building embassies. I would honestly look at what the requirements are for you to get into the DOS in OBO with what you've got now vs what you could get with an engineering degree.

Jay Pesci ⋅ Fairfield, CT ⋅ 25 years experience

Maria,
Thanks so much for your service. My family & I certainly appreciate it. Eons ago I received a degree in Construction Management, which was a relatively new field of study at the time. This path served me well. I had subsequently gone back to school for an engineering degree, but simply could not put in the time necessary. Eventually, I returned to grad school and obtained my MBA. Why is this important? Historically engineers (structural, civil, mechanical, etc) ran construction projects. There's still a great deal of engineers who prefer the executions side of a development over the planning & design side. Perhaps it's a matter of comfort zone. I realized long ago that any construction undertaking is a self-contained business enterprise. For me, the CM approach made sense as it built the bridge between the design side and the business side of the project. One has to be as conversant speaking about tonnage of HVAC units and angle of repose on a mound of backfill material as she does about resource and manpower allocation and cash-flow S-curves. Best to stick your toe in each pool if possible and see what you like! Happy to discuss more offline if you'd like.

Maria Mckiever ⋅ Chicago, IL U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

I want to thank everyone for their feedback. The reason I posted this question is because I am currently failing my summer Differential Equations class. This wouldn't be such a deterrence if I hadn't finished the spring semester with a C in Physics. Otherwise, I have an A in Chemistry, a C in Calc 1, and a B in Calc 2&3. I'm concerned that I might not be cut out for engineering. Considering my grades, is it wise to continue pursuing this degree?

Maria Mckiever ⋅ Chicago, IL U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

You guys are great! Your insight definitely cleared things up for me. I didn't realize I could do construction management as an engineer. Thanks! :-D