Progression in a professional career is vital for individual growth and influences the contributions to work, organization and industry on the one hand and provides a platform for career satisfaction and attainment on the other. This study explores and addresses the challenges faced by construction management graduates from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) between 2014 and 2017 in attaining professional registration with SACPCMP. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to explore systemic barriers, including mentorship gaps, inadequate practical training, and misaligned academic curricula. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the Participant. Google Form questionnaires were mailed to potential participants and 200 completed forms were returned. The key findings reveal that most graduates experienced limited mentorship opportunities, while a significant number struggled with industry readiness due to curriculum gaps. The study highlights the need for policy reforms and stronger academia-industry collaboration to enhance graduate employability and streamline the professional registration process. These findings provide actionable insights for addressing barriers to professional growth and contribute to the development of more effective support systems for emerging professionals.