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What are some tips you have for people who are questioning to go into that field?

As a civic engineer is there anything you should be worried about or careful of? If you’re not sure if you really want to be a civic engineer or not, but you think it would be fun is there any steps I could take to figure out if I really would like it or not?

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Vern’s Answer

It's great that you're interested in civil engineering, as it's perhaps the most diverse field among all engineering disciplines. There are several sub-disciplines in civil engineering that you can explore, such as structural engineering (working with wood, concrete, steel), geotechnical engineering (focusing on soil mechanics and rock mechanics), environmental engineering (dealing with wastewater and solid waste management), and traffic engineering.

Within each of these sub-disciplines, civil engineers can be involved in various aspects like research, planning, design, permitting, construction, inspection, and maintenance. You'll find civil engineers working in different types of organizations, from government agencies (local, state, federal, military) and facility owners (hospitals, airports, seaports, etc.), to consulting firms of all sizes.

I know civil engineers who work in one-person consulting firms, while others work in large organizations with hundreds of thousands of colleagues. Choosing to be a civil engineer is just the first step of many decisions you'll need to make in your career journey.

Most of these questions will need to be answered during your undergraduate studies or in the first few years on the job. If you're dedicated and hardworking, you'll have ample opportunities to adjust your career plans as your interests and goals evolve over time.

So, go ahead and explore this amazing and diverse world of civil engineering!

Vern recommends the following next steps:

Call the office of Public Works in your local city or county government and tell them you are considering civil engineering and would like to shadow one of their civil engineering staff to get a better understanding of the career
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. This is definitely going to help me in the future. Eden
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Ray’s Answer

I will assume you are a high school student. There is nothing to worry about, but there are things to consider. You need at least a BS degree to be a civil engineer. To get there, you need to be able to do calculus, physics, chemistry and then geotechnical engineering, statics, (forces on non-moving things) dynamics, (forces on moving things) material science and other specific courses depending on your choice of discipline. That could be traffic engineering, structures, sanitary engineering, material science, hydraulics and many others. Do any of those things pique your interest? Do you like math and science? Do you like people? You will probably be collaborating with lots of them through school and then in your career.

Is engineering fun? Sometimes. Is it rewarding? Most of the time. Is it challenging? Always. I always liked that last part.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for commenting on my question. A lot of the things you listed I really like, so your answer was very helpful to me. Eden
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Britni’s Answer

I think if you can talk directly to a civic engineer and pick his or her brain a little bit, that would be very beneficial for you. Do your research online of course, but see if you can get into contact with someone who is already in that career!
Thank you comment icon This was super helpful, thank you! Eden
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Nick’s Answer

Do you like building things that help a lot of people and last for many years?
Do you see yourself working with a lot of people and collaborating on big projects?
Do you enjoy using math and science to understand the world around you?
Are structures like bridges, dams and ports interesting to you?

If so, you probably would like to be a civil engineer.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Actually my reason in the first place that I am considering being a civil engineer is to help people that is something I really want to be able to do with any job I decide to do. I always find it interesting and fun to work with a variety of people. I love math and science and I’m good at it too. I do find dams, bridges and ports interesting. Your comment was very helpful to me! Eden
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