Can You Be A Construction Manager With An Associate’s Degree?

Can You Be a Construction Manager with an Associate’s Degree?

The answer is yes and not only is it possible, but there are some real advantages to taking this path. In this blog, we’ll talk through why having an associate’s degree (instead of a bachelor’s) might be an excellent route, and why it’s better than coming in without a degree at all in many cases.

We’ve discussed this topic before, but we’re bringing it up again in response to all the engagement and feedback from the industry.

Here’s the bottom line:
I’ve worked with people who had MBAs and couldn’t run a huddle and I’ve worked with people who had no degree or just an associate’s who were running multi–$100 million projects. What truly matters in this industry is competence.

So, if you’re coming into construction with an associate’s degree after two years, I say great. We need driven people and bright minds, and there’s a way to fast-track your journey into leadership roles if you combine that degree with the right field experience.

Remember this:
It’s not the paper that builds the job; it’s the person and their experience.

Why an Associate’s Degree Works in Construction:

Let’s break this down concept by concept:

1. Construction is Competence-Based, Not Corporate-Based:

Unlike fields like law or aviation, construction doesn’t rely on strict gatekeeping. You don’t need a bachelor’s or master’s to prove you can do the job. You just need to be able to do the job.

Once you get your foot in the door, and you’re competent, consistent, and work well with others, there’s no limit to how far you can go. There are fewer “gates” after entry. That’s why I love the associate’s path.

Advantages of an Associate’s Degree:

• Faster entry into the industry:
  You can finish your degree in two years and start working immediately. If you’ve got some internships under your belt and you’re persistent, that could be your big break.
• Start leading earlier:
  Instead of spending two extra years in school, you’re getting field experience, real, hands-on knowledge that matters far more in this industry.

If I had to choose between someone with a bachelor’s or someone who spent those extra years in the field as a field engineer, I’d take the field engineer 100 times out of 100. The field experience fast-tracks your leadership potential.

Field Experience is Everything:

I can’t stress this enough:
Field experience is key.

Go help your parents build something. Get your hands dirty. Take that labor job. Work closely with field engineers. Coming from the field up gives you a solid foundation that accelerates your career.

Those who skip this step? They struggle. They end up in more meetings, more paperwork, and further from what matters most – real production.

We need builders, not just managers. Leaders who’ve actually worked in the field. We need to move away from the endless administrative loop of PMPs and RFIs and get back to doing real work on-site.

Busting the Misconceptions:

Let’s clear up a few myths:

• “You need a bachelor’s to get a management job”
  Maybe, but not always. If you’re creative and determined, you can find a path in. Get in and prove yourself.
• “An associate’s means I’ll be stuck”
  Absolutely not. Once you’re in, your advancement depends on competence, not credentials.
• “Firms only promote people with full degrees”
  I’ve seen this disproven firsthand. I made it to General Superintendent, then Field Director, and started my own company, all without a bachelor’s degree. I’ve even outpaced peers who told me I’d never make it.

Should you get a bachelor’s? Sure, if you want to.
Do you have to? No.
An associate’s can be a great foundation, especially if you need more structure or maturity before diving in.

Let’s Normalize Many Paths:

We’ve got to break this fixed mindset. There’s not just one way to succeed in construction. We need to create many paths, normalize those options, and focus on competence, experience, and diversity.

Why Diversity Matters:

We need men, women, people of all backgrounds, and all kinds of diversity in this industry. Diverse teams are better teams. Let’s not be fooled by outdated opinions being anti-diversity is going to age badly.

Construction needs more people, and more paths to get them here. If you have what it takes, there should be a place for you. Everyone fits somewhere.

So, here’s the message of this blog:

If you’ve got an associate’s degree, you absolutely can become a construction manager.
And not just any construction manager. you can become a great one.

Let’s stop gatekeeping and start building.