Career Opportunities with a
Major in Civil Engineering

Are you fascinated by large-scale projects? Do cities, how they grow, how they are physically organized, and what changes might improve the local quality of life, intrigue you? Are you an environmentalist who would like to design projects to preserve and enhance environmental quality, reduce ground water pollution, remediate existing damages, or contain toxic materials? Does the design of bridges, tunnels, airports, highways, and other large infrastructure projects capture your interest and imagination? Would you like to use computers to design and help manage a large construction project? If so, a career in civil engineering might be the one for you.

Civil Engineers are involved in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of high cost, large-scale, one-of-a-kind public/private projects such as bridges, buildings, canals, highways, transit systems, airports, irrigation projects, water treatment and distribution systems, solid waste treatment and recycling facilities. Increasingly, the need to provide for both society’s infrastructure requirements and the preservation of environmental quality is being addressed by civil engineers. Due to their uniqueness and scale, civil engineering projects cannot be proof tested and revised; they are expected to work the first time. Consequently, civil engineers use computers extensively in the design, visualization, and management of these large systems and structures. Additionally, the need to satisfy environmental concerns and the demand for remediation of past practices has made the field of environmental engineering one of the fastest growing fields in engineering.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO CIVIL ENGINEERING

·          Intrigued by developing solutions for real problems and needs

·          Interested in designing large systems and structures

·          Possesses strong aptitude for and interest in computer applications and design

·          Displays curiosity about how things work

·          Possesses aptitude in math and physical sciences

·          Works effectively with a team and independently

·          Able to draw information and ideas from a variety of sources

·          Demonstrates perseverance & attention to detail

·          Exhibits leadership and interpersonal skills

·          Exercises strong verbal and writing ability

·          Displays creativity and versatility

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Civil Engineering major.  Click on highlighted jobs for more information on training, income and job outlook.  The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Civil Engineering majors may consider.

 

Many of these jobs also require education beyond an associate’s

and bachelor's degree.

WEB SITES RELATED TO CIVIL ENGINEERING

·          CCA Engineering Transfer Emphasis

·          American Society of Civil Engineers

·          Careers in Science and Engineering

·          Discover Engineering

·          JETS

·          National Society of Professional Engineers

·          PhDs.org

·          Professional Science Masters

·          Sloan Foundation Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

·          Society for Materials Engineering International

·          Society of the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science  

·          Society of Women Engineers

·          The Institute of Industrial Engineers

·          The Materials Science & Engineering Career Resource Center

EMPLOYERS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

• Aerospace Firms
• Colleges/Universities
• Consulting Firm
• Construction Companies
• Government Agencies at all levels
• Mining Companies
• Petroleum Manufacturers
• Research Firms
• Utility Companies

The above information has been obtained from numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.