Construction management - Is it for you?

Alex admits that the workplace in Singapore can be challenging as the workers come from China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines and many countries across Asia.

“This makes it difficult to cope with expectations and stresses in daily operations,” he says. But constantly working in these situations forces you to improve your people management and multi-tasking skills. It just comes with practice.

For Alex, the students that make it are those taking on internships while studying construction management, as it’s a crucial step to getting a foot in the door.

In this highly competitive industry, interns that are attached to local companies are paired up with a senior staff member. For a few months, they see first-hand what the real construction environment is like. Such experiences also enable them to work on a number of diverse projects so they can understand how theory applies in a real-life setting.

In fact, Alex himself has previously provided internship opportunities to students from RMIT and local universities.

“The interns gained practical experience and were better able to prepare for their exams since they had more than just books to rely on. We hope they’ll join the company after they graduate, as they already have that knowledge to bring to the table,” he recounts.

And what better place can there be to apply your construction management skills than a place such as Singapore, which is dynamic, fast-paced and bold in design? Imagine seeing a structure on the city skyline that you played a role in creating – that is the beauty and satisfaction of working in this exciting industry.

If you see yourself as someone who’s willing to take on these challenges and reap the benefits of a rewarding career that’s never dull, then construction management might just be for you. Check out RMIT’s Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Construction Management for a better idea.