A recent Purdue feature by Marcia Sweet highlights the career trajectory of John Downing, a graduate of the online Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) program offered through Purdue Online, administered by the Polytechnic's Bowen School of Construction.
The article details how Downing utilized the program's flexible, online format to advance his career while working full-time and raising a family. Downing, who holds a unique role combining construction and senior-level facilities management for CSI Support and Development Services, found that the curriculum provided the exact leadership and strategic skills he needed.
"I knew the master's program gave you more of an insight into the overall bigger leadership experience for construction management," Downing said. "For professionals looking to be more in that leadership role, it covers risk management, contracts, value engineering, strategic planning, things that you don't get taught in construction management at the undergrad level."
The MSCM program's coursework also prepared Downing for high-level industry certification. Weeks after graduating, he passed the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Certified Facility Manager (CFM) exam-often considered the gold standard in the field-with minimal additional studying.
Downing emphasized the practicality of the curriculum, noting that it exceeded his expectations by covering essential facilities management concepts alongside traditional construction management.
"Entering the program, I did not think there was going to be a facilities manager focus as well, but it covered more stuff than what I imagined it," Downing said. "It was a very, very great program for anybody who is in the construction management field, facilities management field or in that cross between like I kind of am."
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