Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Construction Science and Management (MCSM)
Department
Construction Science and Management
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Jason Lucas
Committee Member
Dr. Dhaval Gajjar
Committee Member
Dr. Vivek Sharma
Abstract
The construction industry continues to face a critical workforce shortage, intensified by declining interest among high school students who often hold narrow or negative views of construction careers. This study examines students’ perceptions of the construction industry, the experiences that shape those perceptions, and the factors influencing their likelihood of pursuing construction-related careers. A mixed-methods design was used, consisting of a survey distributed to students in Grades 9–12 across the upstate region of South Carolina. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlations, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis.
Findings show that most students perceive the industry as physically demanding, stressful, male-dominated, and associated with blue-collar work. Despite these stereotypes, students generally did not view construction as unprofessional or non-intellectual. Career interest was low overall, with 75% of respondents categorized as “Not Likely” to pursue construction; however, interest increased significantly among students with hands-on job experience, participation in Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) programs, or multiple forms of exposure. Experiential learning, especially hands-on work, emerged as the strongest predictor of both higher perceived exposure and greater career likelihood.
Influential factors shaping student understanding included family, family members working in the industry, and social media. Formal school-based influencers such as teachers, counselors, and construction education programs were rated lower overall, yet their influence was significantly associated with reduced agreement with certain negative stereotypes, highlighting their potential role in reframing industry perceptions. Students also demonstrated limited awareness of professional and technical roles—such as BIM Engineer, Scheduler, or Project Manager—indicating a narrow understanding of construction career pathways.
Overall, the study reveals persistent misconceptions about the construction industry but also demonstrates that perceptions are malleable when students receive meaningful exposure. Strengthening experiential learning, enhancing school-industry partnerships, and increasing visibility of diverse career roles may help broaden interest and support a more informed pipeline of future construction professionals.
Recommended Citation
Soni, Radhika, "Evaluating High School Students’ Perceptions About the Construction Industry: Views to Consider and Improve the Inclination Towards a Career in Construction" (2025). All Theses. 4658.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4658