Construction management?

[fromthisdesk]

CAD experience/training should get you a job but not at a site - you will be in an office environment, completing drawings off of the designs worked up by the engineers. I'm a construction professional - a site manager for heavy construction utility projects - and would recommend a focused approach to entering the industry if you don't want to earn the degree or if the type of work that CAD offers doesn't suit you. Certifications in scheduling (Primavera or Microsoft Projects) is a good start and only take a few weeks to complete the initial study. Of course, those programs are complex but even the best schedulers learn more about the software each and every project. But, the pay is outstanding for schedulers so there is competition. Additionally, there are other fields such as safety, project controls and quality control that would not require a college degree and offer opportunities to those new the industry. Six Sigma, OHST, or other can be entryways into the field. If engineering or similar is your goal you can check with AIC and try to sit for the AC (Associate Constructor) exam. It's entry level and is used by some colleges as a means to self check their construction management grads level of learning. You can also use your military experience and schooling to satisfy the requirements to sit for it. Good luck.