Becoming a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of buildings, railways, roads, dams, tunnels, water collections and effluent disposal plants, airports, harbors, and many other types of facilities.

The Job:

Civil engineers' duties vary from one type of employer to another. Those working for engineering consultancies carry out the calculations and detailed design required before construction work can begin. They supervise on behalf of their clients the work of the engineering contractor on site. Consultant civil engineers work from their offices and pay short visits to their clients' sites.

When employed by a contractor, these engineers manage the construction - setting out the levels for the foundations and supervising the preparation of foundations and the pouring of concrete. The safety and security of the site are also their responsibility. Managers of construction projects are concerned with managing the workforce and the flow of materials, scheduling the different tasks in the optimum order to avoid problems and delays.

The first level of management is to manage a construction site and this involves moving from place to place, depending on the location of the latest project. Some engineers work on two or more different projects at the same time, moving from one to another. Those working for contractors must be mobile.

Senior managers are more concerned with running the business rather than being involved with particular sites. They liaise closely with clients for whom the work is being done and ensure that it is on time, within budget, and to the required standards. They may be responsible for seeking and negotiating new projects, preparing contracts, buying materials, and hiring qualified staff to complete the work.

Local government bodies employ civil engineers. Some are responsible for the buildings - such as schools, swimming pools, hospitals, roads, and bridges - in their locality that belong to the authority or are their responsibility. Responsibility for planning local facilities varies from one country to another. In some, planning and civil engineering are the responsibility of central government, while in others construction is solely a local matter. Some civil engineers are civil servants, employed by their central government.

In industrial countries, civil engineers may be employed by railways to maintain track and tunnels. In all countries, the provision of water, roads, and hospitals is of fundamental importance. Where there are earthquakes, engineers design buildings to cope with tremors.

Large retailers may employ engineers to supervise the construction of new shopping centers. Oil companies that have large installations also require their services.

Also note that civil engineers are involved with building construction at the early planning stages, as well as supervising construction later on.

All civil engineers must have a good grasp of mathematics in order to carry out the engineering calculations that are required by their work. They must understand surveying and the drawing and interpretation of plans. At construction sites, engineers work in small teams and eventually supply the leadership required to supervise projects. While junior engineers may be using their creativity to develop novel design concepts, senior engineers are more responsible for plan projects and negotiating new orders to ensure the success of enterprises. When supervising a building site, they must deal with inconvenienced local people with tact and diplomacy and have the self-confidence to make important engineering decisions.

Training Involved:

Training takes place on the job, either in a design office or on site, and lasts for about 4 years. In some countries, trainees attend university and train in the industry before graduating; in others, the academic requirements are dealt with before training begins.

Specific training includes completing engineering calculations, designing parts of construction projects, laying out site levels, assisting with the management of projects, and estimating quantities of materials required. An understanding of health and safety procedures is often a statutory requirement.

Some civil engineers train to become structural engineers having first qualified in civil engineering.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: science and mathematics.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Civil Engineer ranges from $52,471 to $73,745 annually, while the median salary for most Civil Engineers is $63,453 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

The employment prospects for civil engineers vary depending on the amount of construction activity going on at any time in a particular country. Those countries with high economic growth need most civil engineers. Many of the largest consultancies and contractors are international and seek work all over the world, so travel opportunities regularly occur. A few civil engineers become self- employed consultants with expertise in such areas as ground engineering, concrete structures, or special foundations to withstand earthquakes.

For further information, contact national engineering institutions representing the interests of civil engineers and trade associations whose members are engineering consultants or contractors.