Concrete Industry Management

This multidisciplinary degree program prepares men and women for a wide variety of professional careers in the concrete industry, which has a growing need for technical managers. Concrete materials and products are the foundation of the 931 billion dollar construction industry-one of the primary drivers of the U.S. economy.

This program, the only one of its kind in California, was created with the financial support of concrete industry executives, who are eager to employ its interns and graduates.

Concrete Industry Management (CIMT) is founded on a strong lower-division base of general education, math, science, and business courses. The upper-division class and laboratory work allows students to develop the necessary technical knowledge in concrete materials and processes. At the same time, courses in logistics and information systems, finance, marketing, law, safety, quality, and project management prepare students to become effective leaders in the concrete industry.

Students who complete the CIMT program curriculum will also have fulfilled all the course requirements for a Minor in Business Administration.

Career Outlook

Concrete products, equipment, and services represent a 130 billion dollar segment of the national economy, with over 2 million employees. This professional degree program addresses an identified need for more than 2,000 new technical managers each year within that wide segment. Therefore, career opportunities for graduates of the CIMT program are excellent.

Examples of entry-level positions available immediately upon graduation include:

• production manager of a concrete block, ready-mixed, pre-cast/pre-stressed, or pipe plant;
• concrete specialist in an engineering, architectural, or construction firm;
• marketing or technical sales representative for concrete equipment and services, and;
• product distribution manager.

Industrial Support

This new degree program is truly a joint initiative between industry and academia. Concrete companies and professional organizations are active, on-going partners. Industry supplies CIMT students and faculty with advice, feedback, monetary donations, scholarships, equipment, supplies, training, and funded research.

Student Organizations

The CIMT program faculty support and encourage students' participation in our own student chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Through active membership in campus chapters of professional organizations, students develop and practice technical, social, and leadership skills. Many of these organizations sponsor guest speakers, field trips, conferences, trade expositions, and social events. Some groups also compete and excel in regional and national intercollegiate competitions.

Upcoming meetings, current events, special workshops, jobs, and contacts are posted on the CIMT program's website.

Internships

All students in the CIMT program gain valuable professional experience and knowledge as interns in local or national concrete-related companies. Most internship opportunities in this field are full-time, summer and/or semester-long positions, where students earn salaries of $2,000 to $3,000 per month, as well as upper-division course credit.

Scholarships

In addition to university-wide and college-based scholarships, the concrete industry provides separate funds for scholarships in this program. Eligibility for these CIMT-specific scholarships is based on academic performance, improvement, leadership potential, and/or financial need. For more information regarding CIMT scholarships, see department Scholarship Coordinator, Margaret Stoner.