Civil Engineers - What They Do and How to Become One

Here are some of the major duties that a civil engineer has to perform:

• Study comprehensive plans, survey reports, maps and various data.
• Review and acknowledge construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental risks and threats.
• Collect and submit various applications to local and state government offices, stating that the projects comply with all the regulations.
• Study and review all the results related to soil testing and decide the strength of the foundation.
• Figure out how much money things like materials, tools, and workers will cost for a project to see if it makes sense economically.
• Use special computer programs to create plans for roads, water systems, and buildings that meet the rules set by the industry and the government.
• Make sure construction starts in the right place and everything is built where it should be by doing surveys or overseeing others doing them.
• Take care of fixing, keeping up, and replacing things like roads, bridges, and other stuff that people and businesses use.

Many Engineers, after reaching at a basic understanding, have to choose their specialization area in engineering. Some go with their general instinct or choice and some analysis the public demand and scope for the coming future of their distinct specializations. Accordingly, here are some major types of Civil Engineering.

• Structural Engineering
• Constructional Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• Materials Engineering

Well, to become a Civil Engineer, one has to finish his\her bachelor's degree or graduate degree first as this is the initial and only path leading to being a Civil Engineer. According to a survey done by Zippia, 77 percent of Civil Engineers have a bachelor's degree, 12 percent have a master’s degree and 6 percent have an associate degree.

Another major requirement to be a Civil Engineer is the License requirements which are gained only after fulfilling certain criteria that vary from state to state licensing policy.

Some programs offer co-op opportunities where you work and study at the same time to gain practical experience. After getting your bachelor's, if you want to become a licensed professional engineer (PE), you'll need a degree from a program accredited by ABET. In many places, a bachelor's in civil engineering technology can also qualify you for licensure.

Later, if you want to move into management roles, it's helpful to have further education beyond your bachelor's, along with your PE license and some work experience. 

Hence, Civil Engineers will need various technical and workplace skills:

Technical Skills:

• Specialty Knowledge: Civil engineers should understand specific materials and conditions related to their projects, like fluid mechanics for dam construction or soil dynamics for roads, etc.
• Civil Engineering Software: Having certification in engineering software like Autodesk can demonstrate your proficiency to employers and clients, enhancing your credibility in drafting construction projects.
• Project Management: Understanding project management principles is crucial for civil engineers at all levels, helping to comprehend project structures; as you progress, you might take on more responsibility in directing projects.
   

Workplace Skills:

• Communication: Civil Engineers who are good at communication skills will convey the right message at the right time to workers and other personnel which will lead to a positive workflow in the workplace.
• Creativity and Critical Thinking: Civil engineers need to be imaginative and able to analyze problems and find solutions for building bridges, roads, and other infrastructure, navigating construction challenges with ingenuity.
• Leadership and Teamwork: Supervising construction projects requires civil engineers to effectively communicate with and coordinate teams, resolving any issues that arise while working.
• Accountability: Civil engineers must stick to budget plans and regulatory requirements, while also maintaining positive relationships with clients and workers.

The path to becoming a civil engineer includes the following steps:

• Earn A Civil Engineering Degree: Studying civil engineering in college and obtaining a degree will teach you applicable math, physics, and chemistry that we will be using when working and it will allow you to focus on a specific area you like. Most civil engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree to get started.
• Find an Internship Program: After you graduate, finding an intern program is the best advice anyone could give you. Doing an internship at an engineering company or government office is a fantastic opportunity to learn by doing and get a feel for the job. There you will learn all the ins and outs on how exactly the company runs and what you are supposed to do, how engineers do their job. It's also a place where you find your mentor for life or someone you look up to for your career.
• Look for a Job: Government agencies, engineering firms, and consulting companies are the right place to look for an engineering job as they have a high demand for engineers all year round. Many firms also visit campuses to recruit civil engineers; you can also ask your college about the same. You can also connect with organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers to expand your network and find job leads.

When starting out as junior civil engineers, they often support senior engineers in finishing projects. They might handle quality control, ensure if the safety measures are followed properly, or aid in project development. This beginning phase is crucial for gaining experiences as much as possible and developing skills. 

As they advance and gain experience for several years, civil engineers might move into managerial roles like handling proposals or keeping clients happy. Higher-level engineers might need certifications in project management or government contracts as these jobs need years of experience and participation. By then, they have developed involvement and contacts with various personnel in the field.

Content Source:

Coursera

Britannica 

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Institute of Civil Engineering