The smell of paint in the air, particles floating in the breeze and a number of workers all over campus all point to one thing: construction.

Construction for Parking Structure III ?” located near Benicia Hall ?” and the new bookstore behind Sacramento State’s University Union will continue throughout the semester. But what some students may not know is that the projects are supervised by Sac State alumni.

Although the building projects may seem inconvenient, construction is an industry which thrives on precision detail accountability, says Construction Management Program Coordinator Keith Bisharat, who is also a full-time professor.

Bisharat talked about the history and the complexities of taking on projects like the ones being implemented on campus.

He explained what construction management majors have to deal with every day on the job. Bisharat said the basic idea is to be able to account for everything, or in other words, expect the unexpected. With so many different aspects going into a single construction project, it can be easy to miss something or have something go wrong, he added.

“That’s what we have to be able to do as well as be ready to handle the actual project,” Bisharat said.

One of the students Bisharat taught in the construction management department is Senior Project Manager Rich Miller.

Miller, who received a degree in environmental studies at Sac State in 1985 and a degree in construction management in 1993, is overseeing the construction of the new bookstore. Miller enjoys his job, but unlike his former professor, he is not ready to hang up his hard hat just yet. However, the idea of becoming a teacher on campus has crossed his mind.

“It’s definitely a possibility,” Miller said. “There are still things I want to do with my career first.”

Miller said the construction of the bookstore is going well. He said the project is on schedule and is estimated to be complete by June 2007. The facility will be open for use fall 2007.

Miller said the knowledge he gained from Sac State was invaluable. The curriculum promotes tours of construction as part of its lab work.

“What helps in the classroom helps in the field, and what helps in the field helps in the classroom,” Miller said.

The business is detailed and the department is one of the smallest on campus with about 200 students studying construction management.

“It’s a tough business,” Bisharat said. “There’s uncertainty and risk.”

However risky the business may be, the rate of employment for construction management students and graduates is 100 percent, Bisharat said. Students have opportunities to make as much as $70,000 while still in school said, he added.

“Our students are well-prepared to do what the industry demands of them,” Bisharat said.

Sac States building designs vary from structure to structure, something that Bisharat finds somewhat confusing.

“There’s no unifying theme,” he said.

The industry demands much out of the students, Bisharat said. He added that changes in design teams guarantee a variety of different challenges regardless of whether the project is identical to one that was just completed.

Currently, the construction management department is focused on graduating more students by increasing enrollment.

However, it will restrict the major as well because it may be problematic, as many of the students who do enroll have no experience in the field. Bisharat said past experience is a good start.

“It may be daunting, but it’s an excellent education,” Bisharat said.

Josh Staab can be reached at [email protected]