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Civil Engineering?

I like building stuff and wondered if civil engineering is the right place to be and if so what field of civil engineering should I choose?

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Ray’s Answer

Doug has it right. I would add that building stuff, that is working with materials like wood, metal and glass, is different than what engineers do professionally. We generally plan, design and then build stuff. Engineers can be involved in any or all those processes. The processes can involve mathematics, science, communication and working with a lot of people.
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Douglas’s Answer

Hi,

A lot of engineering professions "build stuff". So the question becomes, what types of "stuff" interest you? For example, civil engineers build stuff that does not move for example roads, bridges and buildings while mechanical engineers build stuff that move, like automobiles, machines, ships, engines while electrical engineers build things having to do with electricity like motors, computers, electrical transmission systems, etc. So, if you reallly like civil engineering, what types of structures are you interested in building?

I suggest that you Google the various types of engineering to see what interests you most and then look more deeply into that type of engineering.

Hope this helps,
Doug
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Josh’s Answer

There are a lot of careers you can pursue if you want to build things. Civil engineering is what we consider "design." This means that a civil engineer usually works with drawings and calculations to create roads, bridges and paved areas. Other professionals that work in "design" are Architects, Structural engineers, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, and urban designers.

If you are interested in actually "building things" then I would recommend looking at contracting. Within the contractor world you can specialize in many different things. There are plumbers, carpenters, cabinet builders, electricians, roofers, just to name a few! And if you want to be the boss of all of those trades then you might want to look a General contracting.

I hope this helps and good luck!
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Reid’s Answer

Civil engineering is a good choice, there are quite a few different areas/industries you can work in. This degree also gives you clear direction to where you will work, it is theoretical and also practical. In terms of trying to decide which type of civil engineering, typically you will be exposed to all types in your first couple years in university then decide to specialize. I also recommend doing co-op/internships in the summers between semesters. This gives you an opportunity to try working in different fields to find out what you like and it's also good for networking. You can also choose to do a masters degree to further specialize in a field.
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