Leveraging Facility Careers for the Next Generation 

By Dave Lubach, Contributing Editor 

Facility management might not be the first career that comes to mind for young professionals, but according to educator and industry veteran Alana Dunoff, that’s exactly the problem — and the opportunity. With over 30 years in the field and now teaching at Temple University, Dunoff is helping fill a growing workforce gap by mentoring and educating the next generation of facility management professionals. 

Dunoff recently sat down with Dave Lubach, executive editor for the facility market at the NFMT Baltimore trade show for a “Show Central” conversation. The two discussed why facility management is often overlooked as a career path, despite being a dynamic, stable, and well-paying profession.   

Still, the appeal of the field is strong once people discover it. Dunoff sees students from every background — from architecture to food service — transition successfully into facility roles. What unites them isn’t their previous job but their mindset: curiosity, adaptability, problem-solving, and a knack for working with people. 

Yet, even as new talent enters, the number of dedicated FM degree programs remains limited. Dunoff estimates fewer than 20 programs exist globally. 

Beyond formal education, Dunoff also champions the power of mentorship. 

Learn more about education opportunities for the facility management profession by listening to the full conversation. 

Dave Lubach is the Executive Editor of the facilities market, which includes Facility Maintenance Decisions, a sister publication to Facility Cleaning Decisions.

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posted on 8/4/2025