Learning construction engineering: Why, what, and how?

Recent increases in technical requirements for constructed facilities along with new contractual approaches and technologies used to deliver them provide special opportunities for increased project performance and for the career paths of new engineers. Construction engineers provide resources and complete technical activities to increase performance in meeting all types of project objectives. This paper describes these key activities, the knowledge required to complete them, and options to acquire and maintain that knowledge. It also describes related topics including recent trends in construction engineering education, technical fundamentals related to construction engineering topics and activities, and the results of a practicum course focusing on construction engineering. The concluding sections describe applications in continued self-directed learning throughout careers and conclusions and recommendations for leveraging career success. A second related paper describes the author's research related to construction engineering. Both are offered to express thanks for receipt of the Peurifoy Construction Research Award and to encourage and assist new faculty and engineers in an industry whose career paths include construction engineering activities.