Civil Construction Engineering
Civil construction engineering involves using scientific and mathematical principles to develop bridges, roads and other public projects. Read on to learn more about careers in this field.
Is Civil Construction Engineering for Me?
Career Overview
Civil engineers design and plan the construction of roads, buildings, bridges and many other public works projects. To work in the field, you should be skilled in mathematics and able to pay attention to details. Since many civil construction projects are rather large and involve many people, you also need to be able to communicate clearly in writing and in speech.
Employment Information
Now is a good time to pursue a career in civil construction engineering. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 20% increase in civil engineering jobs from 2012-2022, making it one of the fastest-growing engineering professions (www.bls.gov). Civil engineers usually enjoy good job security, because most civil engineering projects are rarely affected by slow economic growth. Civil engineers also have high earning potential. The median annual income for civil engineers was $80,770 in 2013. The highest-paid ten percent of engineers made $126,190 in that year.
How Can I Become a Civil Construction Engineer?
Undergraduate Education
Employers will likely require you to complete at least a bachelor's degree in engineering to obtain an entry-level civil engineering position. A bachelor's degree program in civil engineering offers courses in environmental engineering, highway design and waste engineering, just to name a few. You will also take a variety of courses in mathematics and physics. Some civil engineering programs offer areas of concentration, such as structural engineering, transportation engineering and water resource engineering.
Licensing and Certification
If you work as an engineer for the public, you must be licensed, which requires a bachelor's degree, work experience and completion of an exam issued by the state you are working in. Attaining certification can be beneficial if you are interested in advancing to project management positions.
Graduate Education
Some advanced positions are only filled with applicants who have obtained a master's degree in engineering. Such programs can be offered with a specialization in civil engineering. If you are hoping to work in engineering research, development or teaching, then you might want to consider completing a master's degree in civil engineering. Graduate programs also offer areas of specialization, including construction integration and engineering management. Hydrodynamics, aquatic chemistry and groundwater flow are a few of the courses offered to master's-level students.