CAREER JINX OF A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT GRADUATE
Dear Jarus,
I’d like to start by saying thank for all the wonderful career information you have made available on your website and other platforms like Nairaland.
I am reaching out to you because I feel stuck. I obtained my Bsc. in Estate management and graduated with a 2:2. I realised that I wanted a more challenging career so I decided to pursue my Msc. in construction project management which I concluded last year and I also obtained my PRINCE2 foundation certificate.
I love this career path I have chosen but the challenge I am currently facing is finding entry level positions. In other countries like the US/UK, construction project management is well structured and other professional like engineers don’t venture into it after a few years experience just like I have observed in Nigeria except they seek to change career paths. Thus, they acquire the right degrees/certifications.
My peers in the UK secured entry level position as construction project managers even before graduation. I have been searching for months and the few adverts I have come across require 3 to 5 years experience.
Another issue I have is the lack of information regarding my profession for entry level. On Nairaland, there are numerous information on financial institutions, oil and gas sector for entry level but there is little or non regarding construction project management. From my observation the profession is still evolving in Nigerian and would take some time before it is structured.
I seek your advice on this issue no matter how little, as I would be rounding up my National Youth Service Corps program in three months.
Thank you in anticipation for your response.
Kind Regards,
Grace
***
Dear Grace,
You’re right that Construction Management is an evolving field in Nigeria and it doesn’t have much demand. And the little demand is being shared with you by engineers, architects and folks from other related fields. In fact, it appears to be an all-comers field.
This is also responsible for lack of information. No structure.
Another issue is lack of entry level positions, like you noted. This is also true. It’s another product of the industry being unstructured and few requirements for entry level people – what you just have are the big man boss and few engineers who supervise some unschooled or semi-schooled guys.
My advice is for you to research and list out companies, both foreign and local, that operate in Nigeria and approach them, through formal or informal medium. Informal networking may be helpful.
I wish you all the best.
Jarus
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