Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by admin
Civil engineering is amongst the oldest and most respected engineering disciplines. Civil engineers are responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and environmental infrastructure that sustains modern society. Civil engineering careers offer a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in our world. A career as a civil engineer can be extremely rewarding and can help you develop technical skills that you can leverage in many areas of your life. This post briefly explores the various fields within civil engineering to provide a high-level overview for someone just getting started. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, be sure to click on the respective link for your area of interest. The specific pages serve as a one-stop shop for all your questions regarding a specific field. We pride ourselves on providing tremendous value through our guides and technical resources.
Table of Contents
- Business Development Civil Engineers
- Project Management Civil Engineers
- Technical Civil Engineers
- Civil Engineering Fields
- Civil Engineering Career Path
There are many different paths you can take within civil engineering, and no two careers are exactly alike. In this article, we will explore some of the different options available to civil engineers. We will also discuss the necessary education and experience required for each path. So if you’re thinking about a career in civil engineering, read on!
Civil engineering careers can be divided into three broad categories: technical, business development, and project management. Technical civil engineers are responsible for the actual design and analysis of civil engineering projects. Business development civil engineers focus on winning new work for their firms and developing relationships with clients. Project management civil engineers are responsible for managing the design and construction of civil engineering projects. Each of the paths described in this post has its own unique set of challenges and rewards.
Business Development Civil Engineers
Perhaps the most glamorous of the fields, or at least sometimes perceived as such, business development civil engineers are the rainmakers of the profession. They are responsible for winning new work for their firms and developing relationships with clients. Business development civil engineers must have strong communication and marketing skills. They must also be able to understand the financial aspects of civil engineering projects – it’s not enough to win the job, you also have to make sure you can complete it at a profit.
Business development civil engineers are responsible for writing proposals to win new work for their firms. They must understand the client’s needs and be able to articulate how their firm can meet those needs. Proposals must be well written and persuasive, and must also conform to the client’s requirements. Business development civil engineers must also be able to estimate the cost of the project and make a strong financial case for why the project should be undertaken.
Of the many skills that are required to be a business development civil engineer, technical writing and the ability to give memorable presentations are often the most valued. However, these are not enough on their own. Without a strong technical foundation and a talent for creative work, the business development civil engineer cannot be successful in communicating complex issues.
A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is the minimum educational requirement in this field. However, many business development civil engineers have advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree in business administration or engineering management. There are no entry-level positions for civil engineers in this field. The only entry-level candidates are graphic artists that work on the marketing team to support the business development civil engineer leading a proposal. Most business development civil engineers have decades of experience in project management and technical work. A professional engineer’s license is important, as most of your competitors will have a PE license; however, there are successful business development civil engineers that are not licensed.
Project Management Civil Engineers
Project management civil engineers are responsible for managing the design and construction of civil engineering projects. They must have strong project management skills and be able to juggle the many different aspects of a project, from budgeting and scheduling to quality control and safety.
Project managers are accountable for the profitability of a project and are tasked with supervising the resource allocation of a project. A watchful eye on time expenditures and the development of the project schedule (often resource loaded) are essential to successful project management. To be a good project manager, you must also have excellent communication skills and be able to develop relationships with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders. These relationships are essential to mitigating potential problems and ensuring the successful completion of a project.
A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is the minimum educational requirement to become a project management civil engineer. However, many project management civil engineers have advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree in business administration or engineering management. A professional engineer’s license is highly sought after but not required to be a project manager.
There are no entry-level positions for civil engineers in this field. An aspiring project manager would need to have first started their career performing technical work. This allows them to have a first-hand understanding of what it takes to get a project done. Most project management civil engineers have several years of experience working on civil engineering projects in various capacities.
Technical Civil Engineers
Technical civil engineers make projects work. They develop the plans and specifications, do the math, and elaborate engineering documents. This includes everything from planning and feasibility studies to the final design of the project. Technical civil engineers must have a strong understanding of mathematics, physics, and engineering principles. They must also be able to use sophisticated computer software to model complex designs.
This is where the vast majority of civil engineering careers start. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program is the minimum educational requirement for most entry-level positions in this field. Many technical civil engineers go on to earn advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree. If an engineer chooses to remain within the technical field, they might elect to obtain a doctorate’s degree; however, this is not required and many technical engineers are very successful without a graduate education. On the other hand, a professional engineer’s license is essential for a technical civil engineer and not having this license after your first few years would present a significant obstacle.
The PE is a nationally-recognized credential that indicates that an engineer has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide engineering services to the public. Obtaining a PE requires passing a rigorous examination. The exam is comprised of two parts: a morning portion, focused on general civil engineering, and an afternoon portion, focused on your field of study.
Civil Engineering Fields
Civil engineering is a broad field, and there are many different areas of practice within it. Once they have garnered enough experience in their field, technical civil engineers will typically remain specialized in a particular field. Business development professionals and project managers usually also specialize in a particular field. Specialization – becoming an expert in a particular field within civil engineering – is important since most projects are extremely complex and it is difficult to master multiple fields.
The fields of practice generally include water resources, transportation, geotechnical, construction, environmental, and structural. Water resources engineers focus on the planning, design, construction, and operation of systems that collect, store, treat, and distribute water. Transportation engineers focus on the planning, design, construction, and operation of highways, streets, and other transportation systems. Geotechnical engineers are experts on the behavior of earth materials, such as soil and rock. Construction engineers focus on the management of construction projects. Environmental engineers focus on the protection of environmental resources, such as water and air. Structural engineers focus on the planning, design, construction, and operation of structures, such as buildings and bridges.
Water Resources Engineering
Water resources engineering is a field of civil engineering that deals with the assessment, development, and management of water resources. Water resources engineers work to ensure that our water supplies are adequate for the needs of society. They also develop drainage systems that channel stormwater towards treatment and storage basins. Water resources engineers often work in partnership with environmental scientists and hydrologists. They are essential for the proper management of all water resources: stormwater, potable water, and wastewater.
Stormwater & Drainage Systems
Drainage systems are an important part of water resources engineering. They are responsible for collecting and channeling stormwater away from urban areas. This helps to prevent flooding and the associated damage that can occur. Drainage systems can also help to recharge groundwater supplies.
Water Distribution Systems
Water distribution systems are another important component of water resources engineering. These systems are responsible for delivering safe drinking water to our homes and businesses. They also provide water for firefighting, irrigation, and other uses. Water distribution systems are typically underground networks of pipes that deliver water from treatment plants to customers.
Wastewater Collection & Treatment
Wastewater treatment is a vital part of water resources engineering. It is responsible for removing pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment. Wastewater treatment also helps to protect public health by preventing the spread of disease.
Transportation Engineering
Transportation engineering is a field of civil engineering that deals with the planning, design, construction, and operation of transportation systems. Transportation engineers are responsible for the safety and efficiency of our transportation infrastructure. This includes highways, streets, bridges, tunnels, airports, railroads, transit systems, and parking facilities.
Traffic Engineering
Traffic engineering is one of the areas of practice within transportation engineering that deals with the planning, design, maintenance, and operation of streets and highways. Traffic engineers are responsible for the safety and efficiency of our roadways. They often perform traffic studies to determine the capacity of a roadway. Traffic engineers also design roads to ensure that they are safe for the traveling public.
Roadway Engineering
Roadway engineering is a subfield of transportation engineering that deals with the planning, design, and construction of highways and streets. Roadway engineers are responsible for the safety and efficiency of our roadways. They make sure that the roadways are designed geometrically safe, for example, ensuring the appropriate turn radius for a specific street. They also work with signage and pavement markings to communicate with the traveling public effectively. They often work in partnership with traffic engineers to ensure that roads are safe for the traveling public.
Maintenance of Traffic Engineering
Maintenance of traffic engineering is a subfield of transportation engineering that deals with the temporary control of traffic in work zones. Maintenance of traffic engineers are responsible for ensuring that travelers are safe when passing by active work zones. They often use signs, barrels, cones, and other devices to direct traffic around work zones.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineers are responsible for the safety and stability of our buildings and bridges. They work with soils and foundations to determine the nature of soils and how they will interact with the built environment. Geotechnical engineers also design foundations for buildings and bridges to ensure that they are properly supported and their inhabitants are safe.
Soil Mechanics
Soil mechanics is a subfield of geotechnical engineering that deals with the behavior of soils. Soil mechanics is used to predict the performance of soils in various situations. This information is then used by geotechnical engineers to design foundations, slopes, and other earth structures.
Foundation Engineering
Foundation engineering is a subfield of geotechnical engineering that deals with the design and construction of foundations. Foundation engineers are responsible for the safety and stability of our buildings and bridges. They work with soils and foundations to determine the nature of soils and how they will interact with the built environment. Foundation engineers also design foundations for buildings and bridges to ensure that they are properly supported and their inhabitants are safe.
Construction Engineering
Construction engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the building, work site conditions, phasing, and scheduling of construction projects. Construction engineers work with contractors to ensure that the project is constructed and delivered safely and effectively. For example, construction engineers are required whenever a critical pick operation is performed. A critical lift as any lift that exceeds 75% of the rated capacity for one crane and uses more than one additional machine. However, some companies have their internal parameters in place to determine what qualifies as “critical”. These parameters can be more stringent than the official OSHA definition.
Construction engineers also work in construction engineering inspection (CEI) to ensure conformity with the project’s contract documents. CEI is the process of verifying that the work being performed by the contractor meets the requirements of the contract documents. The CEI team works with the contractor to ensure that they understand the contract documents and are performing the work in accordance with those documents.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the protection of our air, water, and land. Environmental engineers are responsible for the safety and quality of our environment. They work with water treatment, wastewater treatment, and stormwater treatment to protect surface waters. Environmental engineers also work with contaminated sites and air quality to improve conditions.
Environmental engineering often overlaps with water resources engineering and throughout this site, you will see the two fields used interchangeably. In fact, environmental engineering is a relatively new field within civil engineering and used to be referred to as sanitation engineering. It wasn’t until the 1970s that environmental engineering became its own field of study. This was largely due to the clean water act that was implemented in 1948 but was modernized with the amendments we know today in 1972. Currently, most universities offer environmental engineering as its own degree separate from civil engineering.
Water Treatment
Environmental engineers work with water treatment. Water treatment is a process that is used to remove pathogens and contaminants from drinking water. Water treatment plants use a variety of processes to remove impurities from water, including filtration, sedimentation, chlorination, and activated carbon adsorption.
Wastewater Treatment
Environmental engineers also work with sewage treatment. Wastewater treatment is a process that is used to improve the quality of sewage. Wastewater treatment plants use a variety of processes to remove impurities from water, including pre-treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, and advanced wastewater treatment.
Stormwater Treatment
Yet another way that environmental engineers protect water resources is stormwater treatment. Stormwater treatment is a process that is used to remove impurities from the water that has been contaminated by runoff from storms. Stormwater treatment uses a variety of processes to remove impurities from water, including filtration and sedimentation. This protects receiving water bodies and the benthic resources within those water bodies.
Contaminated Sites
Environmental engineers are responsible for the assessment and remediation of a contaminated site. A contaminated site is an area where there has been a release of contaminants that can cause harm to people, animals, or the environment. Contaminated sites can be caused by a variety of activities, including manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. Environmental engineers work with contaminated sites to assess the risk posed by the contamination and to develop remediation plans to clean up the site.
Air Quality
Environmental engineers also work to protect the quality of the air we breathe. Air quality is a measure of the concentration of pollutants in the air. Air pollution can come from a variety of sources, including power plants, automobiles, and factories. Environmental engineers work with air quality to assess the risk posed by air pollution and to develop mitigation plans to reduce emissions.
Structural Engineering
Structural engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the behavior of structures. Structural engineers are responsible for the safety and stability of our buildings, bridges, dams, and other structures. They work with materials such as concrete, steel, and timber to design and construct safe and efficient structures. They use a variety of engineering methods to design structures that can withstand the forces of nature.
Structural engineering is one of the most sought-after fields of civil engineering – particularly among engineering students. This is likely because structural engineering is the most visible of the fields within civil engineering. Many people take for granted the water mains that supply safe drinking water and the roads that serve as the backbone of our economy, but everyone is enamored by a signature bridge or a marquee highrise.
While structural engineering can certainly be fulfilling, it takes a significant amount of work to become an expert. In fact, some areas require a specialized structural engineering certification, and areas prone to seismic activity – such as California – require a Professional Engineer license with a structural and seismic emphasis.
Civil Engineering Career Path
Civil engineers have one of the most interesting and diverse career paths of any engineering discipline. They are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and environmental infrastructure that we rely on every day. From roads and bridges to water treatment plants and airports, civil engineers are behind it all. Here is a detailed look at the typical career path for a civil engineer.
Most civil engineers have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, although some may have a master’s degree or higher. The first few years of a civil engineer’s career are typically spent working under the supervision of more experienced engineers. During this time, they gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become licensed professional engineers. Once they are licensed, civil engineers are able to work independently on projects.
Most civil engineers work for engineering firms, although some may work for government agencies or private companies. The size of the engineering firm and the type of projects they work on will determine their day-to-day responsibilities. Some civil engineers may specialize in a particular area, such as transportation or environmental engineering.
After spending some years garnering technical knowledge, most civil engineers have to decide if they want to focus more on management or if they want to stay in a technical role. Technical roles might involve more design work while management positions would entail duties such as project management, client relations, and business development. Some civil engineers move into sales or marketing for engineering firms or start their own consulting businesses.
The possibilities are endless for civil engineers. With their skillset, they can work in a variety of industries and positions. No two career paths are the same, which is what makes civil engineering such an interesting and rewarding profession.
The career path of a civil engineer is both challenging and rewarding. They are able to work on a variety of projects and see them through from start to finish. It is a demanding profession, but the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve helped build something that will be used by people for years to come is unmatched.
Is Civil Engineering a Good Career?
Yes, civil engineering can be a wonderful career choice. Civil engineering is a field that is always in high demand due to the many infrastructure projects that are constantly being developed all over the world. This means that there are many job opportunities for civil engineers, and they can usually find work in their field of expertise. Civil engineers also typically enjoy good salaries and benefits, and the work is often interesting and exacting. There are some challenges to this career, such as the long hours required sometimes, but on the whole civil engineering is a good career choice.
A career in civil engineering can be a good choice for many reasons. It is a stable career with excellent prospects. It is also a high-paying career that can provide a good standard of living. Additionally, civil engineering can be a very fulfilling way to make a living. It is a field that provides the opportunity to make a difference.
Civil engineering is a dynamic and exciting field with many different career paths to choose from. Whether you’re interested in the technical aspects of civil engineering or the business side of things, there’s a place for you in this field. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your civil engineering career today!
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