How And Why You Should Think About Becoming A Civil Engineer

Just about everything you see around you is the result of the hard work of a civil engineer. The roads you drive on, the bridges and railways and the hospitals and schools that you see every day have all been built thanks to a civil engineer. It is one of the most important jobs that you could do as the entire world needs somebody with the expertise to make sure that these structures are built safely and long lasting.

If you are looking for a job that has a big impact on the world around you then becoming a civil engineer should look very attractive to you.

There is a lot of job security because of how many applications there are that require a civil engineer. An architect is also a very good job, but has limitations that civil engineering does not have.

In this article, I will go over what you can do to become a civil engineer and make a difference while you also make a great salary.

Attend an open house

The very first step to becoming a civil engineer is to figure out if you are even interested to begin with. The best way to do this is to go to an open house or similar type of event that is sponsored by a civil engineering institute or your local university.

At these events you will hear from actual civil engineers who can talk about their experience. It is also a chance to ask a lot of questions. This is the best way to get some context as to the requirements and actual real life experience you can expect if you decide to follow through.

There is a very good opportunity to network and create a group of likeminded people that can help you along the way. These connections you make at the event will be indispensable throughout your journey from the education level to actually landing a job. In fact, some of them may end up as your future employer if you really make a connection while there.

Once you’ve been able to hear about the job itself and what the courses are like then you can get a good idea if you think this is a good fit for you or not.

Find the right path

Assuming that you enjoyed your experience at the open house and want to dive in then you have to take the next step to secure your education. It isn’t a clear path that is the same for everybody. You can go to university and get a degree and then look for a job. Or, you can be a degree apprentice and work as you gain experience and credit towards a degree.

The most popular of the two is to study and get a degree in civil or structural engineering as you may be finished earlier. You can get your degree in four years whereas an apprentice degree could take as many as six to get a job after.

However, you gain hands-on experience as an apprentice and are likely going to work with your apprenticeship employer right away instead of needing to search for a job. As an apprentice, you will be a very attractive candidate because you have actual experience and will require less training on the job. A graduate will have the right book knowledge but will lack the understanding that somebody who has actually done the work has. And they will need to be trained more thoroughly than an apprentice.

Pick a school

If you’ve decided to go the university route then it is time to consider where to do your studies. There is no perfect situation that works for everybody and there isn’t a one size fits all type of university. There will be different motivating factors that work differently for everybody.

Make sure to take a look at the rankings of the university as a whole and not just the civil engineering department. Though, it is important to dig deep into the program, try to remember that the whole experience counts and not just how highly recognized the engineering school is.

The most important thing to look into, however, is the accreditation. When you finish your degree, it should actually count and allow you to get a job. Make sure that the civil engineering program at the university you would like to attend is recognized by the professional bodies that govern the engineering sector.

Get experience

All book knowledge is not going to help you much during your job search no matter how good your grades are. You’ll need some practical experience to back up what you’ve learned.

Make sure to find an internship during your studies to gain that practical experience. You can find some that offer summer positions so you can go to work full time for a period of a couple of months. Or, you may find a situation in which you are able to work part time while attending classes.

No matter how you decide to do it, it is fundamental to gain some experience and also build a network. You’ll need connections all throughout your academic and professional career. This is the time when many relationships should be nurtured.

Join a professional body

There are a number of professional bodies in just about every discipline of civil engineering that you can imagine. No matter what type you plan to do, you should join one to make sure that your profession is well represented and is advanced by the body.

It is almost like a union, but not in the way that it protects individuals, but rather the profession as a whole. For instance, you may be working on building structures that are able to withstand an earthquake. When you join a body that promotes earthquake research and promotes the benefits of having more civil engineers dedicated to this then they will make sure that governments understand the need for them.