This is the oldest branch of the engineering profession. Civil engineers design and supervise construction of buildings, roads, harbors, airports, dams, tunnels and bridges, and water supply and sewage systems.
Specialties within civil engineering include structural, hydraulic, environmental (sanitary), transportation, geotechnical, and soil mechanics. Many civil engineers are in supervisory or administrative positions. They may supervise a construction site or administer a large municipal project such as highway or airport construction.
Most civil engineers work for construction companies or for federal, state, and local government agencies. Others work for public utilities, railroads, architectural firms, and engineering consulting firms.
Places of employment and working conditions
Civil engineers work in all parts of the country, usually in or near major industrial and commercial centers. Some work for American firms in foreign countries.
A great deal of the civil engineer's time is spent outdoors. They sometimes work in remote areas and may have to move from place to place as they work on different projects.
Qualifications, education, and training
The ability to think analytically, a capacity for details, and the ability to work as part of a team are all necessary. Good communication skills are important.
Mathematics and the sciences must be emphasized in high school.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is the minimum requirement in this field. In a typical curriculum, the first two years are spent in the study of basic sciences such as physics and chemistry and mathematics, introductory engineering, and some liberal arts courses. The remaining years are usually devoted to specialized engineering courses. Engineering programs can last from four to six years. Those requiring five or six years to complete may award a master's degree or may provide a cooperative plan of study plus practical work experience in a nearby industry.
Because of rapid changes in technology, many engineers continue their education throughout their careers. A graduate degree is necessary for most teaching and research positions and for many management jobs. Some persons obtain graduate degrees in business administration.
Engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of an experienced engineer or in a company training program until they become acquainted with the requirements of a particular company or industry.
All states require licensing of engineers whose work may affect life, health, or property or who offer their services to the public. Those who are licensed, about one-third of all engineers, are called registered engineers. Requirements include graduation from an accredited engineering school, four years of experience, and a written examination.
Potential and advancement
There are about 186,000 civil engineers. Job opportunities in this field will increase somewhat because population growth will create an increasing demand for housing, transportation, power generating plants, and other energy sources.
Income
Starting salaries for civil engineers with a bachelor's degree average about $25,600 a year in private industry. Starting offers for those with a master's degree average $34,600 a year and for those with a Ph.D., $46,600. Senior engineers working in private industry with management responsibilities earn an average annual salary of about $87,900.
The average yearly salary for engineers employed by the federal government is about $42,300.
Additional sources of information
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, New York, NY 10017
American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY 10017
American Society for Engineering Education, Washington, DC 20036
Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS), Alexandria, VA 22314
National Society of Professional Engineers, Alexandria, VA 22314
Society of Women Engineers, New York, NY 10017
