Although students can select anything from accounting to zoology as their main focus in college, one discipline is becoming particularly popular as of late.
Professions in the construction field had the largest enrollment increase at four-year schools between spring 2016 and spring 2017 –26.4 percent, to be exact. As defined by the National Center for Education Statistics, construction trades cover several fields, such as carpentry and management. Many institutions offer a four-year degree in these fields.
Technical schools are a popular option for many students exiting high school as well. Caterpillar dealers, for example, offer a four-year program for high school graduates. Their program, “Think Big”, was started five years ago in California, and can now be found at dealerships across the world. This program permits students to earn an Associate of Science degree while working and learning to repair and maintain Caterpillar equipment. John Deere offers a very similar program to allow students to become ag & turf technicians at their schools over a two-year period. These schools are available in many locations across the United States.
For those attending four-year universities, however, construction management is a popular choice. Students seem drawn to this specialty because of the feeling of accomplishment that results from the hard work done while working with a team, building something together. You have to learn to track your budget, schedule, quality and safety.
The number of colleges offering construction degrees is up 31.8%. There were 7,659 undergrad students enrolled in some construction trade major last year. Today, there are almost 10,000. Blending architecture, business, and engineering, no wonder it’s becoming more popular.
Even so, if school just isn’t for you, construction companies – like us at George Nice & Sons, Inc. – will hire high school graduates with little to no experience. It’s the training on the job site that will take them where they want to go.
Are you interested in starting your career in construction? We are hiring!
Patrick Henry Place
