So many people would actually be surprised if they truly understand how much civil engineering plays a role in their everyday lives. Students in this major are the ones that will be wiring on the design and maintenance of everything from water and energy systems to roads and bridges.
That’s right as an undergraduate studying civil engineering you will learn the knowledge that will help people get the power to charge smartphones as well as running water to shower in the mornings. In today’s world civil engineers are heavily relied on and the safety of millions of lives are in the hands. Remember civil engineering is responsible for those huge skyscrapers you see that are thousands of feet in the air. If you are interested in becoming a engineer and civil engineering is a field you want then here is some information you can truly use.
Making Sure Civil Engineering is Right
One of the most important aspects of college is making sure you have chosen the right major or course of study. But how do you know is a major is right for you? Well do you enjoy both math and science? Do you want to have to balance the use of science with the uncertainty of with the world has to offer?
A degree in this major means that you have gone through a lot of coursework in environmental issues, science needed to design large buildings and more. Usually you will receive either a bachelor of engineering or bachelor of science. If you don’t like physics and mathematics this is probably not a major for you. Some of the courses you may be required to take are:
- General Chemistry
- Engineering Economic Analysis
- Calculus I and II
- Physics I and II with Lab
- Environmental Engineering
- Structural Analysis
- Numerical Methods
- Highway Engineering
Another point to understand is that civil engineering itself is usually broken down into many of sub categories or disciplines such as: architectural engineering, environmental engineering, geophysics, structural engineering, earth science, forensic engineering and many more.
So are you ready to work as a part of a team while doing class work and group projects? Also be prepared to spend a lot of long hours working on design projects as well as problem sets. You will need to choose a concentration in this major such as structural engineering or other discipline. One of the best things you can do is join a engineering club such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Don’t forget you will need to do some type of internship or co-op while in school.
If you are the type of person who is a big fan of math and science, enjoy working on teams, are a problem solver, logical and very creative while also being patient, then majoring in civil engineering might be a great fit.
What to Look for in University Programs
As a civil engineer you would be someone who uses there creative skills and will be require to think a lot. This is how you should look at choosing a school. Be creative in your selection and think about what it is you want to get out of the program. Some things to consider when choosing a school are:
- How many recent graduates are working?
- Where are they working?
- Is the Civil Engineering Department accredited?
- Do they offer both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs?
- is there an opportunity for a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree there?
- Are the labs updated?
- Does the school or department help find engineering internships or co-ops?
- What is the success rate of students entering the program?
- How long on average do student take to complete the major?
These are some questions just to get you thinking about what school or program offers you the best option. Remember majoring in civil engineering requires you to spend a lot of your time studying, working on problem sets and word problems, and explaining theories to help solve real life problems.
What about Careers after Graduation?
Of course if you are going to spend all that time going to school and studying you surely want to know what kinds of job there are out there for future civil engineers, right? Okay well remember as stated earlier civil engineering can be broken down into a lot of sub-disciplines as such there are a lot of jobs. Check out some of the career possibilities listed below:
Environmental Remediation Engineer
Senior Project Manager Water
Engineer Transportation and Highway
Structural Bridge Engineer
Design Engineer
Water Manager Administrator
Civil Transportation Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Assistant Town Engineer for Capital Improvement
Municipal Engineering Manager
Senior Bridge Engineer
Project Analyst
Plan Review Technician
Sr. Project Engineer
Engineering Director
Traffic Engineer
Public Works Inspector
Environmental Science Professional
Those are just a few of many jobs you can expect to see upon completion of your bachelor’s. If you have questions make sure you contact the civil engineering departments at different schools so that you can get the best answers to your questions. Also it help to find a mentor who is currently in the field as they can give you a glimpse of the real world experience.
