How the Civil Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Civil engineering in particular deals with public projects, including the design and construction of roadways, buildings, bridges, airports, water supply systems, and sewage systems. Civil engineers also must factor in government regulations for projects as well as the capability of the roadways and buildings to withstand local elements, such as excessive rain, earthquakes, or hurricanes. Civil engineers take courses in engineering computations, fluid mechanics, transportation engineering, and other related topics. The in-depth knowledge of these subjects gained through completing a civil engineering degree enables civil engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.
Best Career Paths for Civil Engineering Majors
Civil engineering majors have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that will ultimately lead to better convenience for those in the community. The best career paths for civil engineering majors are:
- Civil Engineer. Civil engineers plan and build streets to enhance accessibility to areas within the community, build bridges to lessen traffic congestion in crowded locations, and build airports to increase outsider accessibility. As the environmental sector grows in response to the concern over human impact on the planet, civil engineers who can also work in the green sector will see a rise in demand. Civil engineers may work with environmental engineers to finish projects using green methods such as recycling concrete. Civil engineers who work on building roadways will also see a rise in demand as crowded cities look for ways to relieve the streets of traffic congestion during rush hour. Civil engineers make an average salary of $68,600 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Environmental Engineer. Environmental engineers work in one of the innovative fields in the work force today. They work in developing further advancements for alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power. Most environmental engineers also solve complex environmental problems such as the design and management of water treatment plants. Civil engineering majors are well-suited for the position due to their expertise in building and plannning. As the field advances, the differentiations between engineering discplines will begin to fade. Environmental engineers make an average salary of $69,940 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Civil Engineering Degree
Earning a civil engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in many prestigious industries. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for your transportation engineering class and that it taught you how certain road designs influenced driver efficiency. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your civil engineering degree.
