Seth Sebastian 
For some people, the idea of working for someone else just isn’t on the cards. Instead, they have dreams of owning their own company, calling their own shots, and being in control of their future. If that sounds like you and you have an interest in engineering and construction, then it may be that a construction management company could just be that perfect fit for you. It’s a way to combine your passion for engineering with the ability to own your own company.
Now before we get too ahead of ourselves and get too excited, it’s important to take a look at what the steps are that you’ll need to take in order to make this dream a reality.
Start with Education
No matter what kind of business you are planning to open, the typical first step is to ensure you start with education. In the case of a construction management company, you’ll want to look into your master’s degree in civil engineering.
The great news is that now you can enroll in an online civil engineering degree at a place like New Jersey Institute of Technology, which allows you to go about your studies on your own schedule. You can work on the side, get your foot into the industry, and start networking, all while earning your degree. You can graduate in just 19 months, which means you’ll be able to get your own business off the ground in under two years.
Put Together a Sound and Well-Thought Out Business Plan
Your next step will be to put thought into your business plan and put it down in writing. Opening a business with no set plan or goals is just asking for disaster. Not only that, without a business plan it will be next to impossible to get any sort of financial backing or funding.
Within your business plan, you’ll want to give thought as to what kind of projects you will be taking on through your business. Will you be carving a niche out and looking at one area in particular, or would you like to take a more varied approach to the projects you take on?
Secure Your Funding
After creating your business plan you will need to move on to securing funding. Start-ups require a fair amount of cash at the beginning, and there’s a good chance you won’t have it all on your own. You can look into small business loans, perhaps taking on a partner or investor, or other means of financing.
Build a Marketing Plan
Of course, in order for your business to be a success, you’re going to need to market and advertise your company. A solid marketing plan should be one that takes into account social networking and advertising, traditional forms of advertising, building a website for your company, and getting out there and meeting potential customers face-to-face. Attending industry events is a great way to start building your list of contacts in the field.
Take Control of Your Future
According to Forbes, there has never been a better time to get into civil engineering, as it is a growing field. The time is right to start your own company and take control of your future.
