The Impact of Attending a Specialty Contractor Panel Discussion on Students’ Perceptions of Specialty Contracting Careers

11 pages•Published: July 23, 2025

Shantanu Kumar, Kelsey Ginori and Joseph Cleary

Abstract

The demand for specialty contractors in US construction exceeds skilled workers availability, thus creating challenges for universities, organizations, and industry to attract students to these careers. Research shows that guest speakers, particularly young professionals, can increase interest in certain fields. This study examines the impact of a specialty contractor alumni panel on construction management (CM) students' perceptions of these careers. A 19-item Likert scale survey measuring students' awareness, value, difficulty, and preference for specialty contracting careers was distributed to all CM students at a university. Pre-panel, 85 students completed the survey. After an hour-long alumni panel featuring six recent graduates in specialty contracting, 19 out of 50 attending students completed the survey. Comparison of pre- and post-panel surveys revealed a shift toward greater awareness, understanding, and interest in these careers. Further analysis found a strong correlation between students’ year in the program and their awareness of specialty contracting. Additionally, students’ exposure to information about the field was linked to higher perceived value and increased likelihood of pursuing these careers. The findings suggest that CM programs could benefit from more engagement opportunities, such as alumni panels, early in students’ university experience to help them explore the importance of specialty contracting roles.

Keyphrases: career pathways, guest speakers, specialty trade, student perceptions, workforce development

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 131-141.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/3CdF
	https://doi.org/10.29007/jt84

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2025:Impact_Attending_Specialty_Contractor,
  author    = {Shantanu Kumar and Kelsey Ginori and Joseph Cleary},
  title     = {The Impact of Attending a Specialty Contractor Panel Discussion on Students’ Perceptions of Specialty Contracting Careers},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {6},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/3CdF},
  doi       = {10.29007/jt84},
  pages     = {131-141},
  year      = {2025}}

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