Connecting industry with students and students with industry.

CEM EMPHASIS DESCRIPTION 

The Construction Engineering Management (CEM) is an undergraduate emphasis within the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Arizona. CEM provides students with training and motivation to pursue careers in building construction and heavy construction. Students with a CEM emphasis earn an engineering degree through our ABET-approved curriculum (ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). The CEM emphasis builds upon a foundation of engineering fundamentals by offering technical electives in construction such as construction management, scheduling, and cost estimating. Additional courses and seminars will be added as the program grows. Close ties with industry is paramount to the success of the program.

The CEM Certificate is offered to students outside of the Civil & Architectural Engineering Department.

The UA-Beavers Internship in Heavy Construction for Freshmen in Engineering is a program to support students interested in pursuing a career in heavy construction.

CEM is grateful to our underwriters.

CEM UPDATES

Hear what students, alumni, and industry professionals have to say about the CEM emphasis in this brochure.

The Construction Engineering Management program continues to gain momentum with industry and students. Read the latest updates here:

Spring 2024

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Fall 2022

Spring 2022

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Spring 2020

CAREERS IN HEAVY CONSTRUCTION: See video clips of young engineers talking about their careers in construction and view job postings in construction at the Beavers Heavy Construction Careers website.

  • Watch a video of Ala, a young civil engineering in tunnel construction.
  • Read about Eden, a project engineering in concrete construction with Sundt.
  • Watch UA student Justin talk about his internship with Granite Construction.
  • Watch UA student Andrea talk about her internship with Sundt at UA’s Student Success District.
  • Watch What do civil engineers do? to learn about tunneling, clean rivers, clean drinking water, and constructing sports stadiums.
  • Watch a video about Anayeli Martinez-Real, estimating manager with Kiewit.
  • Watch a video about Noura Saadi, field engineer with Kiewit.
  • Watch a video about Ruddy Ndina, field engineer with Kiewit, building 47 bridges in Calgary, Alberta.
  • Watch a video about Jude McNair, superintendent with Gilbane.
  • Watch a video about Alberto Soto, superintendent with Kiewit Watch a video about Logan Lankford, using BIM in Construction with Lydig.
  • Watch a video about Thomas Fyffe, technology and teamwork with Willmeng.
  • Read about women in construction with Hensel Phelps: Nichole Sterling, Sandra Ichiho, and Naomi Mercuris.
  • Watch a video to hear what inspires women in construction.

CEM EMPHASIS BENEFITS TO STUDENTS 

  1. Students learn about construction in addition to the other technical courses in geotechnical, structural, hydrology, and transportation engineering. 
  2. Students learn about the business as well as the technical side of engineering. 
  3. Students hear from and interact with guest speakers from industry. 
  4. Students visit construction sites and hear from professionals on the job. 
  5. Students learn industry software like P6 and On-Screen Take-Off. 
  6. Students expand their understanding and views of career opportunities in construction. 
  7. Students have the opportunity to pursue construction related interests through student clubs and competitions that construction focused.

CEM EMPHASIS BENEFITS TO INDUSTRY 

  1. Industry has a source of potential interns and new hires that are knowledgeable and motivated to work in the construction industry. 
  2. Industry has reduced training time and cost of new hires. 
  3. Industry has input into the program content. 
  4. Industry has contact with students and faculty to foster collaborations.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 

● Associated General Contractors – University of Arizona Chapter 

Established Fall 2018. 

● Design-Build Institute of America – University of Arizona Chapter 

Established Fall 2016

American Society of Civil Engineering – University of Arizona Chapter

MENTORING

Rise Together: Mentor for Women in Civil and Construction Engineering, is a partnership between industry professionals and the UA Civil Engineering Department. 

Through Rise Together, every woman student in Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona is given the opportunity to be paired with an industry mentor. Click the link to sign up. 

TIPS FOR CONSTRUCTION INTERNSHIPS AND WORK

  • Finding and making the most of internships in heavy civil construction
  • What is a construction internship like and how to make the most of it, (Sundt.)
  • Transitioning to a professional life. (Turner)
  • Search for internships and jobs through University of Arizona career center’s Handshake
  • Search for internships and jobs through AGC’s Career Center
  • Search for internships and jobs through DBIA’s Career Spot 

VETERANS and ROTC FIND OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSTRUCTION