Students from the Construction Management Department of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., were introduced to the International Code Council (ICC), the building codes, their importance in the construction industry, and employment options during a public outreach event held May 5 in conjunction with ICC's annual Building Safety Month, and held by the Central Coast Chapter of the International Code Council (CCCICC) and Simpson Strong-Tie.
Featured speaker Steve Hicks, retired supervising plans examiner and past president of CCCICC, gave a presentation entitled, "By the Code!" and several CCCICC members shared their stories of their own career paths. The CCCICC also awarded two $1,500 scholarships — available through the Fred H. Schott Memorial Scholarship Program — to architecture majors Ayu Halim and Kailie Johnson.
Due to the Construction Management Department's close association with practitioners in the industry, many professional development opportunities are provided for students. Over 150 companies per year recruit for internships, co-ops, and permanent job placements directly through the department. Students are systematically introduced to and encouraged to participate with the major associations and societies representing the industry. Extensive interaction with industry brings practicing professionals into the classroom and students out to the jobsites of projects throughout the region.
The curriculum of the Construction Management program is specifically designed to prepare young men and women to fill the central role in building and maintaining the infrastructure of this country and in markets around the world, making significant contributions throughout the planning, design, construction and facilities management phases of major projects. Building on a solid foundation in architecture, engineering and business, the curriculum introduces students to construction methods and materials; to the techniques used to manage budgets, schedules, quality and safety; to the varied contracting approaches used to deliver today's complex construction projects; and to the leadership and teamwork skills demanded by this profession. This curricular content is delivered in a unique, project-based environment that explores how these management principles are applied in each of the construction sectors, such as, commercial building, residential, heavy/civil, industrial and specialty.
Future constructors are educated in modern, state-of-the-art facilities utilizing the technology typical of the companies for whom they will work. They benefit from a unique, interdisciplinary program that has been accredited by the American Council for Construction Education since 1978. The program at Cal Poly remains one of the largest and most respected Construction Management programs in the United States. |
