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Construction is an extremely complex endeavor. As a construction manager you will deal with every facet of the project, so you will have to wear many hats. Architect, labor relations, cost evaluation, materials handling, city planning, blue print reader and more. This is a field that is much more complex than the name may imply. Construction Managers are well paid and highly respected or good reason. It will be important to give yourself to this discipline 100%. The rewards are great, but first understand that the work is very hard.
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  Student Associations
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) www.abc.org is a national association representing more than 24,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 78 chapters across the United States. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.

ABC is the construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.

ABC's mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.

Through its national office and chapters, ABC's objective is to provide its members with an organization to deal with issues on an industry-wide basis.

Mission
Associated Builders and Contractors will provide the best training, government and legal representation, and programs to ensure members a competitive advantage, add value to the industry's clients, promote a safe work place and enhance the lives of the industry's employees.

Vision
Associated Builders and Contractors will lead the construction industry, promoting and defending the guiding principles of the merit shop and free enterprise whereby anyone can succeed solely on merit.

Student Membership Info:
Broaden Your Horizons
An ABC chapter can mean the chance to work with students from other related disciplines:
• architecture
• engineering
• construction management
In your professional career, you’ll find that a successful construction project involves working with many different construction and design professionals. The collaborative experiences you have in your chapter will prepare you well for your professional career.

Build Your Leadership Skills
As a student chapter leader, you’ll be responsible for not only planning chapter activities, but in developing a vision of the chapter focus and scope. You’ll develop valuable leadership skills, such as strategic planning, negotiation, and management skills: managing people, projects, time, and money. The opportunity to develop these core skills gives you an edge in laying your career foundation.

Build Your Management Skills
Even if you choose not to take a leadership position in your chapter, you still have the opportunity to contribute and grow. For example, you can take charge of a specific chapter activity, like a community service effort. Maybe your interest is in promoting a social event to raise funds for the chapter, or putting together a float for your school’s homecoming. Whatever your talent, there is room for you to make a meaningful contribution, learn valuable skills, and grow at the same time.

Participate in the Annual Student Career Conference
The ABC Student Career Conference is held in conjunction with the ABC National Convention. The program is generally held in late February and has been in cities such as New Orleans, San Antonio, San Diego, Phoenix, and Honolulu. The Career Conference is exclusively for ABC Student Chapter members. The program includes leadership training seminars, the annual Construction Management Competition, a student forum, an awards breakfast, receptions, networking opportunities, and more. It is a truly unique event!

Opportunity to Work Closely with Your Local ABC Chapter
Establish a network, find a mentor, and build relationships on the local level. You’ll be tapping into a resource of professionals that can help you develop contacts, land a great job, and learn more about the industry.

Get Involved and Make a Difference
The time you invest in your chapter can be returned to both you and the industry as a whole, many times over. Your efforts can make a difference in enhancing the industry’s image, add new perspectives, and just generally make the industry a stronger and better one. Your chapter of today will help shape tomorrow’s construction world!

Discover and Explore Career Options
By utilizing the professional network you develop, you’ll have the chance to examine career options you might not have been aware of. For example, you could find an opportunity in marketing or property development. The leads you build can help as you plan your career path.

Build a Bond with Your Faculty Advisor
This is your chance to develop a good exchange of ideas with your faculty. By working closely with your chapter advisor, you’ll not only enjoy their knowledge and experience, you’ll build bridges of communication and dialogue from which everyone can benefit.

Add Prestige to Your School and its Program
An ABC chapter is the chance to represent your school in a leading national association. ABC, Associated Builders and Contractors, is one of Fortune magazine’s “Top 40” most influential associations in the United States. This is your chance to raise awareness of your school’s program to some of the biggest construction companies in the country. In addition, you’ll have the chance to network (and compare notes) with students from other ABC chapters at colleges and universities around the country.

Construction Management Competition and Scholarship Program
As a student chapter member, you are eligible to participate in the annual Construction Management competition, the Student Chapter of the Year award, and various scholarships and teaching awards offered by our Trimmer Education Foundation. These programs offer cash prizes, and some great PR for your school!

We’re Here for You!
ABC strongly supports tomorrow’s construction leaders. To that end, there is no national fee for student chapters or their members. If you have questions or need more information about forming a chapter, please contact John Strock at ABC National, (703) 812-2037, or email at strock@abc.org. You can also check out the ABC website at www.abc.org.
2008 Student Chapter Construction Management Competition
Students from Auburn University work to complete their project estimate during ABC’s 2008 Student Chapter Construction Management Competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Brigham Young University team
checks the final numbers before submitting their bid form.

Over 150 students from 23 schools competed in San Juan during the competition in a mock bid day scenario.

As a Top 5 Finalist team, students from Pennsylvania College of Technology
present their bid to a panel of judges acting as the owners of the project.

The University of Alabama team receives an award in front of 1200 attendees at the
2008 Construction Career Awards Breakfast.

The University of Florida took top honors as the 2008 Student Chapter Construction Management Champions. They earned the best overall score based on safety, estimating and project management.

A group from the University of Central Florida unwinds at the Closing Night Party during ABC’s 2008 National Convention. The party was held on the beach at San Juan’s Caribe Hilton.
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