If on your first ever start of Visual Studio you pick a layout that happens to be missing the oober aweshuum “Build configuration” dropdown menu from your toolbar and are struggling to find it in the Build toolbar (i know i was..) here is how you add it back:

Tools -> Customize -> Commands (tab).

Select "Toolbar" and then select "Build" from the dropdown.

Select "Add Command" , then select "Build" in Categories and find "Solution Configurations" (at the bottom).

Click "Ok" and you’re back on your way to Build Configuration / Continuous Integration glory