3 answers
Adrian
Student
2
Questions
Updated
452 views
How can I be a construction engineer?
What are the colleges/schools you recommend for a construction-engineer?
How do I start my journey?
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3 answers
Jody Muniz, P.E.
Project Manager / Forensic Engineer
23
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Jody’s Answer
Hola Adrian ! There are different paths to becoming a Construction Engineer. I chose Civil Engineering (CE) as my field of study and completed a Batchelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Mechanical Engineering (ME) is also a different path to becoming a construction engineer with a different and harder curriculum to becoming an engineer with a B.S. degree. There are now Universities that now offer Construction Management degrees.
The most likely employers for Construction Engineers are Engineering & Construction (E&C) Firms, i.e., Bechtel, Jacobs Engineering, Foster Wheeler Constructors, URS Corporation, and many more. Google engineering and construction firms and look over their websites and construction services they offer to clients. Most of the big companies will own a smaller subsidiary company to do their construction as a smaller section of the company. I chose construction engineering because they hired me right away after I convinced them I was a hard worker and I was ready to get started in my career. After becoming experienced in the construction field it is a normal path to becoming a project manager and spending more time in the office managing offices, managing client contracts, and approving payments to workers and subcontractors who do specialty work that is not common. The paper work is critically important for a successful and smooth project.
The different types of construction also require different degrees and experience. I started in Industrial Construction and tried to move into commercial construction and none of the companies would employ me because of my Industrial Construction background. Large construction projects hire construction engineers to supervise and manage the construction progress from different starting points. I loved being in the field and working with the construction workers and they taught me a lot.
To get started I recommend you make a list of the universities you want to attend. I started at a junior college because my high school grades were mediocre ( C+ average). I transferred to Texas A&M University after I proved I could pass the entry-level engineering classes. You will have the basic engineering courses for the first 2 years before you decide on a major field of study in engineering. Engineering requires math and science and a lot of my friends dropped out of engineering because the classes were too hard for them. I had to change my priorities and focus on my school work to apply myself and complete my engineering degree. I graduated with a C+ average and it was harder for me to get started and Construction Engineering gave me my start. I spent 20 years plus doing construction engineering and I still love working with the builders. After I was laid off in construction I went door-knocking at the Johnson Space Center (NASA ) and I applied for a job in their Facilities department. They interviewed me and I convinced them to hire me on a trial basis and then I spent 10 years at NASA before they laid me off. I now work as an independent consultant with my Professional Engineer license. When I was a Sr in college a recruiter gave me great advice - You will not get hired unless you submit an application for the job. So submit all the applications you can for the jobs you want until you get the job you want. Not all of them will hire you. Adrian, you will be successful no matter what happens, how successful you want to be is entirely up to you and it is your future to build. Work hard and don't fear failure, my failures pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow when I did not want to. Cheers !
1. Decide on a field of study - look at overlapping entry level courses that work for different degrees in case you switch from one degree to another
2. Decide on a school that you want to attend
3. Look at working in a Co-Op program that will allow you to work during your time in school to get experience and make better career choices
4. Find people already working as Construction Engineers and ask them good questions that will help you make good choices.
5. Stay positive no matter what. You are the Master of your Destiny and you can change your plans anytime you want.
The most likely employers for Construction Engineers are Engineering & Construction (E&C) Firms, i.e., Bechtel, Jacobs Engineering, Foster Wheeler Constructors, URS Corporation, and many more. Google engineering and construction firms and look over their websites and construction services they offer to clients. Most of the big companies will own a smaller subsidiary company to do their construction as a smaller section of the company. I chose construction engineering because they hired me right away after I convinced them I was a hard worker and I was ready to get started in my career. After becoming experienced in the construction field it is a normal path to becoming a project manager and spending more time in the office managing offices, managing client contracts, and approving payments to workers and subcontractors who do specialty work that is not common. The paper work is critically important for a successful and smooth project.
The different types of construction also require different degrees and experience. I started in Industrial Construction and tried to move into commercial construction and none of the companies would employ me because of my Industrial Construction background. Large construction projects hire construction engineers to supervise and manage the construction progress from different starting points. I loved being in the field and working with the construction workers and they taught me a lot.
To get started I recommend you make a list of the universities you want to attend. I started at a junior college because my high school grades were mediocre ( C+ average). I transferred to Texas A&M University after I proved I could pass the entry-level engineering classes. You will have the basic engineering courses for the first 2 years before you decide on a major field of study in engineering. Engineering requires math and science and a lot of my friends dropped out of engineering because the classes were too hard for them. I had to change my priorities and focus on my school work to apply myself and complete my engineering degree. I graduated with a C+ average and it was harder for me to get started and Construction Engineering gave me my start. I spent 20 years plus doing construction engineering and I still love working with the builders. After I was laid off in construction I went door-knocking at the Johnson Space Center (NASA ) and I applied for a job in their Facilities department. They interviewed me and I convinced them to hire me on a trial basis and then I spent 10 years at NASA before they laid me off. I now work as an independent consultant with my Professional Engineer license. When I was a Sr in college a recruiter gave me great advice - You will not get hired unless you submit an application for the job. So submit all the applications you can for the jobs you want until you get the job you want. Not all of them will hire you. Adrian, you will be successful no matter what happens, how successful you want to be is entirely up to you and it is your future to build. Work hard and don't fear failure, my failures pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow when I did not want to. Cheers !
Jody recommends the following next steps:
Kris Cousino
Construction management
48
Answers
Toledo, Ohio
Updated
Kris’s Answer
In order to be a construction engineer, I would highly recommend Civil Engineering as your degree. Some schools offer specifically construction engineering, but at the cost of a watered down curriculum. I chose Civil Engineering for my bachelor's degree and it has served me well in the construction industry.
Lots of universities have excellent engineering programs. Check to see what universities your employment place of choice donates to or associates with. In the midwest united states I'd say Purdue University would be a great choice for engineering.
For super brainiacs with high ambition - Baldwin Wallace, Cornell or MIT are excellent engnineering colleges. But you shouldn't have to travel far or pay $$$ to find a great college near you that should suit you just fine.
google search a list of engineering schools in your state
How good are the engineering schools job placement programs?
Do the engineering schools have optional or required internship programs?
Lots of universities have excellent engineering programs. Check to see what universities your employment place of choice donates to or associates with. In the midwest united states I'd say Purdue University would be a great choice for engineering.
For super brainiacs with high ambition - Baldwin Wallace, Cornell or MIT are excellent engnineering colleges. But you shouldn't have to travel far or pay $$$ to find a great college near you that should suit you just fine.
Kris recommends the following next steps:
Klaus Z
Senior QA atuoamtion engineer
17
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Klaus’s Answer
Hi Adrian,
To begin with your search, try US news college ranking with a filter of the major you are interested in. This will give you a bunch of schools with ranked construction/civil engineering programs. Once you have your list of preferences, it's time to dig deeper. There are a few things you could try:
1. Go to the school/program website and find the section where it says prospective student(some may have a different name). You should find the admission contact information which you could reach to gather more information or even schedule a visit. The admission will guide your through their programs.
2. Google/Research program's recent projects and publications. Get to know the topics and trend.
3. Google/Research program's graduation rate and median salary to get a feeling of rate of return.
4. You could also find where alumni work on Linkedin. The number of alumni in leading companies should give you more confident in how good a program is.
Good luck
To begin with your search, try US news college ranking with a filter of the major you are interested in. This will give you a bunch of schools with ranked construction/civil engineering programs. Once you have your list of preferences, it's time to dig deeper. There are a few things you could try:
1. Go to the school/program website and find the section where it says prospective student(some may have a different name). You should find the admission contact information which you could reach to gather more information or even schedule a visit. The admission will guide your through their programs.
2. Google/Research program's recent projects and publications. Get to know the topics and trend.
3. Google/Research program's graduation rate and median salary to get a feeling of rate of return.
4. You could also find where alumni work on Linkedin. The number of alumni in leading companies should give you more confident in how good a program is.
Good luck