For much of her career, Savita Sachdeva focused on designing spaces. But as she built relationships with architects and contractors through her own interior design business, her interest in construction—and in managing larger, more complex projects—grew. 

In 2022, Savita joined the California Department of General Services as an associate space planner, setting her sights on eventually managing large construction projects. 

To prepare for that next step, Savita knew she needed to strengthen her expertise in construction management. She enrolled in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Construction Management Certificate Program. Four months into the program, she was promoted to project director. Today, she manages multimillion-dollar projects for multiple state agencies. 

We asked her to share what she learned and how she’s applying it to her work. 

What motivated you to enroll in the Construction Management Certificate Program? 

As my career evolved from space planning and design into project management, I wanted to dive deeper into construction project management, and I was hungry for more knowledge. 

I spent years working on residential and commercial projects, collaborating with architects, engineers, consultants and contractors, but I still wanted to understand construction management beyond my practical experience. I wanted to better understand the entire project lifecycle, from planning, estimating, scheduling and procurement to construction, budget control, risk management and closeout. 

When I made my first appointment to talk to an enrollment coach at UC Davis CPE, I knew right away that this was the program I was looking for. I completed the program in six months and started applying what I was learning in my day-to-day work. 

What were you hoping to achieve by completing this program? 

My primary goal was to grow my career, gain knowledge and confidently lead multiple large-scale capital outlay projects using all delivery methods that are used in construction. I saw this as an investment in myself. 

How did the program help you move toward your goals? 

Knowledge is power. The program gave me structure and context for many things that I experience in my day-to-day work. It helped me connect my practical work experience with construction management principles and gave me the right approach to project delivery.

It changed my thought process and showed me a different path for how these construction principles and systems are married together to build a successful project. The program led me to think outside the box and reinforced the importance of planning ahead, identifying and managing risks and teamwork. 

What aspects of the program did you find most valuable? 

The most important and valuable aspect of the program was how all four courses are pillars of a project lifecycle in construction and connect to make your project a success. Topics such as scheduling and estimating, contracts and planning were very valuable because they directly related to the work I do. 

I appreciated that the program and professors went beyond theory and focused on how construction projects function. I also learned a lot alongside other professionals with different backgrounds. It was very beneficial to hear their viewpoints, work in teams and learn from each other. 

What’s next for you? 

I’m always thinking about what’s next for me, what I can learn or how I can grow my skills. My next goal is to get certified from the Construction Management Association of America and become a Certified Construction Manager and earn my PMI Construction Professional certification. 

What advice would you give to someone considering this program? 

Whether you are an architect, designer, contractor, project manager or planner, there is so much value in this program. It teaches you how all the pieces of a construction project fit together. 

I would encourage students to actively participate. Approach the program with an open mind and use this as an opportunity to broaden your perspective, strengthen your professional toolkit and use the knowledge and skills for more growth. Meta: See how UC Davis construction management student Savita Sachdeva expanded her skills and advanced from space planning to construction project leadership.