Civil Engineer
Civil engineers play an essential role in our society. They actively contribute to the design and construction of the roads and paths we travel, the dams and power stations that provide our electricity, the water and sewage plants that keep our water clean, the pollution control process that preserves our environment, and much more!
Why it's cool
- Civil engineers plan, design, and manage the construction and maintenance of physical infrastructure networks, which include roads, bridges, railways, sewers, power plants, water supply systems, and pollution control processes
- Civil engineering is the oldest and the broadest engineering discipline
- Specialize in one of several traditional areas:
- Construction
- Coastal
- Environmental
- Geotechnical
- Materials
- Structural
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Or one of many newer areas of study, which include:
- Bioengineering
- Project Management
- Life-Cycle Design
- Real-time Monitoring
- Rehabilitation
- Smart Systems
- Space Structures
- Must consider many factors in the design process, from construction costs and project lifetime to government regulations and environmental hazards
- There are a wide variety of career paths available because civil engineers work at all levels of the economy, including small specialized consulting firms, large engineering firms, and transportation divisions of all levels of government
- Work either in office buildings, laboratories and industrial plants, or outdoors in construction, exploration, and production sites
Requirements for the Job
- Creative
- Inquisitive
- Analytical
- Detail Oriented
- Work well as part of a team
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Mathematic and scientific knowledge base
Education/Training
For most entry-level civil engineering jobs, a bachelor's degree with a specialization in civil engineering is required. Some colleges offer degree programs in engineering technology that focus on the practical application of engineering principles and prepare students for practical design and production work, rather than jobs that require more theoretical and scientific knowledge. Admission requirements for undergraduate programs include a solid background in mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus) and science (biology, chemistry, physics). Graduate training is required for engineering faculty positions and many research and development programs.
To do any civil engineering work that affects the public in the United States, one must be licensed as a Professional Engineer. This licensure requires either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, four years of work experience, and successful completion of two State examinations.
Career Path/Average Salaries
Most civil engineers work 40 hours a week, however deadlines can often result in overtime hours. The average starting salary can range from $65,260 US to $84,770 US, depending on level of education and work experience.
Related Occupations
- Architects
- Drafters
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Physical and Life Scientists
- Environmental Engineers and Scientists
- Construction Workers and Managers
- Surveyors
JVIS Report
- You should consider this job if you score above average on some of the following Basic Interest Scales: Mathematics, Physical Science, Engineering, Skilled Trades, Stamina, Nature-Agriculture, Creative Arts, and Adventure.
- Your JVIS Report should show one or more of the following occupation groups under your "Top 3": Engineering and Technical Support Workers, Construction/Skilled Trades, and Mathematical and Related Occupations.
For more information contact:
- American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Tel: 800-548-2723
Website: www.asce.org - Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
4877 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, QC
H3Z 1G9
Website: www.csce.ca - Institution of Civil Engineers
1 Great George Street
Westminister
London, England SW1P 3AA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 7722
Website: www.ice.org.uk - National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2794
Tel: 703-684-2800
Website: www.nspe.org - The Engineering Institute of Canada
1295 Highway 2 East
Kingston, ON K7L 4V1
Tel: 613-547-5989
Website: www.eic-ici.ca