Who is a Civil Engineer?
A civil engineer is responsible for designing and building much of the infrastructure that helps society function, like roadways, water pipes, and airports.
If you want a challenging but rewarding job creating important structures, becoming a civil engineer could be the career of your dream.
Education
Civil engineers need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering; in one of its specialties, or in civil engineering technology. Programmes in civil engineering and civil engineering technology include coursework in math, statistics, engineering mechanics and systems, and fluid dynamics, depending on the specialty.
Courses include a mix of traditional classroom learning, work in laboratories, and fieldwork. Programmes may include cooperative programmes, also known as co-ops, in which students gain work experience while pursuing a degree.
A degree from a programme accredited by ABET is needed to earn the Professional Engineer (PE) license. In many states, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology is also needed to meet the academic requirement for obtaining a license.
Further education after the bachelor’s degree, along with the PE license and previous experience, is helpful in getting a job at management cadre.
You will have to major on civil engineering or civil engineering technology. Since civil engineering is a unique blend of disciplines, it’s best to find a school which offers a programme specifically tailored to that field. Earning your bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology will help you
Important qualities for Civil Engineers
Decision making skills
Civil engineers often balance multiple and frequently conflicting objectives, such as determining the feasibility of plans with regard to financial costs and safety concerns. Urban and regional planners often look to civil engineers for advice on these issues. Civil engineers must be able to make good decisions based on best practices, their own technical knowledge, and their own experience.
Leadership skills
Civil engineers take ultimate responsibility for the projects that they manage or the research that they carry out. Therefore, they must be able to lead planners, surveyors, construction managers, civil engineering technicians, civil engineering technologists, and others in implementing their project plans.
Math skills
Civil engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design and troubleshooting in their work.
Organizational skills
Only licensed civil engineers can sign the design documents for infrastructure projects. This requirement makes it imperative that civil engineers be able to monitor and evaluate work at job sites as a project progresses. That way, they can ensure compliance with the design documents. Civil engineers also often manage several projects at the same time, and thus must be able to balance time needs and effectively allocate resources.
Problem-solving skills
Civil engineers work at the highest level of the planning, design, construction and operation of multifaceted projects or research. The many variables involved require that they possess the ability to identify and evaluate complex problems. They must be able to use their skill and training to develop cost-effective, safe, and efficient solutions.
Speaking skills
Civil engineers must present reports and plans to audiences of people with a wide range of backgrounds and technical knowledge. This requires the ability to speak clearly and to converse with people in various settings, and to translate engineering and scientific information into easy-to-understand concepts.
Writing skills
Civil engineers must be able to communicate with others, such as architects, landscape architects, urban and regional planners. They also must be able to explain projects to elected officials and citizens. Civil engineers must be able to write reports that are clear, concise and understandable to those with little or no technical or scientific background.
Advancement for Civil Engineers
Civil engineers with ample experience may move into senior positions, such as project managers or functional managers of design, construction, operation or maintenance. However, they would first need to obtain the Professional Engineering (PE) license, because only licensed engineers can assume responsibilities for public projects.
After gaining licensure, a professional engineer may seek credential that demonstrates his or her expertise in a civil engineering specialty. Such a credential may be helpful for advancement to senior technical or even managerial positions
