Factors Influencing a Female’s Selection of a Construction Management Degree: A Study of Junior- and Senior-Level Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The under representation of women in construction pervades the industry and academia. With growing demand for a skilled workforce in the industry, professionals, and researchers attempt to understand what influences a female’s decision to enter the industry so they may tap into this market segment. Many influential factors have been identified as to a female’s decision to pursue a career in the construction industry, starting with their decision to pursue an undergraduate construction management (CM) degree.

This study provides a mixed-method study on what the most positive influential factors for females in selecting and remaining in a CM undergraduate degree program for Junior- and Senior-level students. The research was completed through a self-administered, researcher-designed survey at Arizona State University, Auburn University, Colorado State University, Purdue University, and Texas A&M University. The strongest positive influential factors for selecting an undergraduate CM degree were the career opportunities and having an internship and the strongest positive influences for remaining in a CM degree program were internships in the program and the community of classmates in the program.