Reyam’s Transformation From Technical Tasks to Strategic Decision-Making in Construction
| 4 Min Read
For Reyam Safauldeen Ali, working in the construction industry made her realize that successful project delivery depends not only on technical engineering knowledge but also on strong management, coordination, and leadership skills.
“While my engineering background enabled me to perform technical tasks effectively, I became increasingly interested in understanding how projects are managed, coordinated, and strategically guided toward successful outcomes.”
After graduating from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, in 2022, Reyam began gaining hands-on experience across construction sites and project environments. Starting as a quantity surveyor engineer, she developed experience in quantity takeoff, cost estimation, budgeting, project planning, and resource coordination before progressing into her current role as a technical office engineer.
Today, her work involves managing tenders, contracts, bidding processes, final accounts, and project-related documentation, as well as supporting project analysis and decision-making. Driven by the goal of combining strong technical expertise with advanced management capabilities, Reyam’s long-term ambition is to “continue advancing into higher managerial and leadership positions within the construction industry.”
Why Choose Lebanese American University and the International Construction Management Program?
Reyam’s motivation to pursue a master’s degree at Lebanese American University stemmed from her desire to strengthen both her construction knowledge and management capabilities through a specialized academic program.
The Online MS in International Construction Management offered the exact balance Reyam was looking for. “After researching different universities and programs, I found that the ICM program at Lebanese American University perfectly matched my academic and professional goals.”
The program aligned closely with her professional background while helping her strengthen both construction and management capabilities. “I believe it will provide me with the skills and knowledge necessary to advance my career and take on greater responsibilities in the construction industry.”
Balancing Work and Study Through Online Learning
Studying online allowed Reyam to continue building professional experience while pursuing further education, without compromising her career responsibilities. “It was important for me to remain actively involved in the industry rather than leave work completely to pursue only theoretical studies.”
“I was able to strengthen both my practical experience and professional skills simultaneously, which supported my long-term career goals in the construction and management field.” The flexibility of the online format enabled her to immediately apply the theoretical concepts and management techniques she learned in the master’s program to her daily work environment.
Learning Through Different Perspectives
One of the most valuable aspects of the program for Reyam has been the “interaction with professors and students from different professional and international backgrounds.” Since her work is closely related to contracts, tenders, and construction documentation, “learning with different experiences” helped her understand how construction management practices and FIDIC applications vary across countries.
“The discussions with Professor David and classmates gave me broader knowledge about international construction practices and different approaches to project management.”
These experiences improved Reyam’s understanding of how to work with international companies and helped her adapt more easily to different contractual systems and professional environments.
Growing Professionally Through the Program
As Reyam continued through the program, she also experienced direct development within her own career.
“I initially started working as a quantity surveyor engineer, mainly focusing on quantity preparation and cost-related tasks. However, after progressing through this program, my role developed further, and I was assigned as a technical engineer.”
In her current position, she’s more involved in tenders, contracts, bidding processes, and project analysis, no longer limited to preparing quantities. She credits the program for strengthening her management and analytical skills, which contributed to her professional growth.
Academic Experience at the Lebanese American University
“I would describe my academic experience as highly practical, interactive, and directly connected to my professional growth.”
One of the highlights of her academic experience at the Lebanese American University has been the shift in her professional approach to construction projects. “The program not only improved my technical and management knowledge but also changed how I approach contracts, project coordination, problem-solving, and within construction projects.”
By consistently connecting program content with her career responsibilities, Reyam found that the program did more than expand her knowledge and skills. “I was able to relate what I learned in class to real situations from my daily work in the construction field. This made the learning process more meaningful and allowed me to immediately apply new concepts and management approaches in practice.”
Final thoughts: course for growth and opportunities
Reyam encourages students considering the Online MS in International Construction Management to see it as an investment in future growth, especially for those looking to “grow beyond only technical work and move toward management and leadership roles in the construction industry.”
As Reyam shares, the program “helps build stronger decision-making, better communication, broader thinking, and overall professional growth toward a better career and future opportunities.”
Take your next step
Whether you’re just starting your construction career or preparing for leadership roles, now is the time to advance. Position yourself for growth and in-demand roles in a constantly evolving industry with the Lebanese American University’s Online MS in International Construction Management.