A Comparison between Industry’s and Academia’s Perceptions of a Career in Construction Education: Fid-Bau Portal

A Comparison between Industry’s and Academia’s Perceptions of a Career in Construction Education

Burgett, Joseph M. / Smith, James P. / Lavang, Yamini

It is well documented that real-world experience is essential in teaching the applied sciences. However, it has also been shown that faculty positions are being filled with candidates with strong research agendas but less industry experience. The aim of this study is to understand what industry’s perception of a career in academia is like and compare it to the perceptions of those actually in the profession. This is viewed as a needed first step in attracting more industry practitioners into construction education. The study surveys practitioners and faculty on how satisfying a career in CM academia is at meeting 16 factors identified as important to overall job satisfaction. The responses of both groups were compared to evaluate where industry’s perceptions did not align with those of faculty. The study also compared the workplace attributes that industry indicated they valued most and what faculty indicated a career in education provided. The study found that a terminal degree, interest in research and publishing, interest in teaching, and salary were the greatest barriers for industry practitioners to enter CM academia. The comparison of work place priority and barriers to entry was used to provide potential strategies to encourage more industry practitioners into CM education.