Academic Satisfaction and Career Preparedness: An Exploratory Study on the Perceptions of Construction Management Graduates

When students graduate from higher education, their objective is to gain employment in a field of study where they can utilize the skills they have obtained. Many Construction Management programs are designed to encompass within four years, as much academic knowledge and training pertaining to the construction industry the program is designed around. However, there is often a disconnect between what is taught in the curriculum and the skills that is valued in the workplace. Many higher education programs want to know whether their program provides the necessary skills for their students’ success. Students’ satisfaction is one major indicator of their success and by conducting a survey of the students’ satisfaction level in relation to their education and job, programs often define areas that need improvement so they can create the best possible learning environment for the students. The objective of this research is to discover whether the Construction Management program is meeting the needs of its students. With this knowledge, the Construction Management program can address the areas that may require further development, making the program more satisfying for current and future students.