Koch, D C; Greenan, J and Newton, K (2009) Factors that influence students’ choice of careers in construction management. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 5(4), pp. 293-307. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
The goal of this study was to explore the demographics and career influences (in terms of experiences and relationships) of students currently enrolled in accredited Construction Management (CM) programs in one Midwestern state. It was limited to one state due to the regional differences in construction shown by a 1996 Business Roundtable (BRT) study (The Business Roundtable, 2000). Numerous factors influence students who enter CM programs; however, insufficient information exists to explain the characteristics of these students. Obtaining a better understanding of students currently enrolled in construction management programs can reveal perceptions of the construction industry and can enlighten CM programs for future marketing. Three research questions were posited to four accredited CM programs in one Midwestern state. The survey yielded 504 completed and usable survey instruments. Frequency tables were produced to compare data by program and gender. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and chi-square analysis were performed as a test for significance of the variables. All students had some work experience; however, few reported technical and career training experiences in high school. Students reported that “hands-on type activities” and “interest in construction” were the major influences. The high school counselor was the least influential person with respect to students’ choice of careers in construction management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | career decision-making; construction education; construction management |
| Index terms: | construction industry, demographics, marketing, variance, decision-making, construction education, career, program, survey |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, business, measurement and scaling, decision analysis, industry analysis, software systems, professional development, demography, professional education |
| Topics: | Education, Risk Management, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here