Career in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines that offer a multitude of challenging career opportunities. This profession deals with a wide variety of engineering tasks including planning, designing, supervising and executing structural works.

Civil Engineers build major facilities such as roads, dams, bridges, tunnels, power plants, highways, railways, airports, water supply and drainage. They combine the rational approach of the scientist with the creativity of the artist to produce outcomes that are efficient, economical and aesthetic.

A civil engineer is responsible for planning and designing a project, constructing the project to the required scale, and maintenance of the product. The planning part of their work involves site investigation, feasibility studies, creating solutions to complications that may occur and the actual designing of structures. They have to work with the guidelines of the local government authority and get plans approved by the relevant authority. They may prepare cost estimates and set construction schedules. Construction work involves dealing with clients, architects, government officials, contactors and the supervision of work according to standards. Their work also involves the maintenance and repair of the project. 

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering is the minimum requirement to become a qualified civil engineer. Diploma courses are also available at polytechnics. There is also the Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE), which enables working people in the private and public sector, or diploma holders to acquire a Bachelor's engineering degree through distance education.

A post graduate degree is required for research or teaching posts and an additional degree in business administration is desirable for management positions. The major specializations within civil engineering are structural, water resources, environmental, construction, transportation, geo-technical engineering etc. 

Civil engineers should be computer literate in order to use design, drawing and word processing software. They need to know building and safety regulations, local authority and government regulations, acceptable standards for construction and how to draw plans.

Personal Traits

A civil engineer requires not only a high standard of engineering knowledge but also supervisory and administrative skills. They need to have a sharp, analytical and practical mind and give attention to details. An excellent communication skill is a necessity and he should have the ability to get along at all levels, as part of a team. He should be good at organizing and solving problems. He may need to work under pressure and have the ability to keep calm during crisis.

Career Options

The period through 2012 is projected to hold growth and potential for civil engineers. Due to the growth of population and the need for better infrastructure as well as security services, civil engineers will be required to build and design larger and safer buildings, complexes, automobiles, as well as more durable water supply, sewage and pollution control mechanisms. Repairing existing roads, dams and other public conveniences will also be a major work allotment.

Employment will differ according to geographic area because construction is undertaken where sites and land can be developed and employment opportunities will be affected due to economic booms and depressions.

Civil engineers are employed in all the major construction projects carried out by the state or central government, the railways, private construction companies, military, engineering services, consultancy services etc. They can find work as a supervisor of a construction site or a managerial position or in design, research as well as teaching in government services or private concerns. They can also work as independent consultants.