Building & Construction Technology: Now What?
Quick Facts: Construction Managers
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 2021 Median Pay: $98,890 per year
- Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Number of Jobs, 2020: 448,000
- Job Outlook, 2020-30: 11% (Faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2020-30: 51,400
What is BCT?
Building and Construction Technology (BCT) professionals are multifaceted. Through the study of science, technology, business, management, and design, and guided by the principles of resource efficiency and environmental sensitivity. BCT professionals ensure that the materials and systems used in our buildings are best suited to the needs of each project in terms of safety, efficiency, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
Graduates of the BCT program at UMass Amherst enjoy an applied, project-based learning environment, while receiving a strong technical and scientific foundation for future careers in construction management, sustainable building design, and materials technology. BCT students are involved in virtually every aspect of the built environment: construction management, sustainable building planning, engineered wood design, building energy performance evaluation, building products distribution, and research and development. It is the integration of technical understanding with general business acumen that makes BCT graduates uniquely desirable to employers.
What Can I Do With A Bachelor’s Degree In BCT?
- Materials Specialist
- Sustainable Planner
- Builder
- Construction Manager/ Supervisor
- Project Overseer
- Building Inspector
- Contractor
- Cost Estimator
- Supply Sales
- Building Services Engineer
- Facilities Manager
- Consultant
- Town Planner
- Materials Research
- Technical Report Writer
- Building Planner
- Environmental Assessor
- Site Surveyor
- Drafter/Architect’s Assistant
- Environmental Engineer’s Assistant
- Blueprint Production
- Site Design
- GIS Mapping
- CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting) T
- echnician Assistant to Civil Engineer
- Safety Inspector
- Permit Provider
- Solar Installer
- Design Assistant
- Real Estate Associate
Who Could I Work For?
- Self-Employed
- Solar Energy companies
- OSHA
- Construction companies
- Alternative energy/energy efficiency services
- Design and build companies
- Schools, businesses
- Civil engineering contractors
- Water district
- Project management consultancies
- Highway department
- Housing associations
- Zoning board
- Health authorities
- Farms
- University construction
- Materials suppliers
- Towns and States
- Logistics and distribution
Where Might I Do an Internship?
UMass Amherst BCT majors have done internships at the following sites:
- Amherst (Town of)
- AMS Showcase
- Axis Builders
- Barr & Barr, Inc.
- Bayshore Demolition
- Blanchard Contracting
- CampusLIVE Inc
- Columbia Construction
- Consigli Construction
- CM&B
- CRB Builders, LLC
- CSG Systems
- Daniel O’Connell’S Sons
- F R Wilson Construction
- Forest Moon
- Gilbane Building Company
- Integrity Development and Construction Inc
- Interstate & Lakeland Lumber
- JK Scanlan Company, LLC
- John Moriarty and Associates
- Kenney Masonry, LLC
- Kohl Construction
- Lampasona Concrete Corp.
- Liquid Landscape Designs
- Macomber Builders
- Marlborough Department of Public Works
- Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst
- Mullaney Corporation
- Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems (NRES)
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
- New England Construction
- Office Max
- Pulte Homes
- Shawmut Design & Construction
- Sustainability Initiative
- Sullivan & McLaughlin
- Turner Construction
- UMass Amherst Campus
- United Civil
- Weitz Company
- White Oak Timber Frames
- William A. Berry & Son, Inc.
- Work of Art Builders
What Do Employers Look For?
(Source: NACE Job Outlook 2022, Courtesy of the National Association of College and Employers | www.naceweb.org)
Top 10 Things Employers Look for on Your Resume
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical/quantitative skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Communication skills (written)
- Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Technical skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Detail-oriented
- Leadership
7 Things That Give You an Advantage in the Job Market
- Internship with the organization
- Internship within the industry
- Major
- Leadership position
- General work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- High GPA (3.0 or above)