Career outlook of a civil engineer? April 21, 2022

Career outlook of a civil engineer?

A civil engineer is a highly respected professional in the engineering field with a wide range of career opportunities. Civil engineers are essential in every field imaginable, from underground tunnels to space rockets. 


The design and management of most construction projects would not be possible without them. Civil engineers typically design public infrastructures like dams, roads, and bridges, help prepare new construction sites by making hard choices about where to put everything, and even design the foundation for buildings to be constructed. They calculate load capacities on structures, identify and assess the advantages of new materials or methods, develop new production and transportation equipment, and invent machines to improve construction processes—the list goes on.


Civil engineering is one of the most promising career choices for students interested in science, engineering, and problem-solving. In this article, students will find everything they need to know about a career in civil engineering, like why civil engineering is a good career, types of civil engineering jobs, current civil engineering job opportunities, and trends.


 

What is civil engineering?

Amongst various engineering disciplines, civil engineering is one of the oldest professional engineering disciplines. It deals with designing, constructing, and maintaining the physical and naturally built environment, including public works like- roads, dams, bridges, sewage systems, pipelines, canals, airports, structural components of buildings, railways, etc.

What are the major industries where civil engineers work?

Some of the major industries which hire civil engineers are- construction, mining, infrastructure development, water utilities, waste management, transportation, engineering consultancy, Public Works Department (PWD), cement, etc. 


Also Read: How to boost your career with a diploma in civil engineering?


 

What are the major job roles for civil engineers?

Various types of civil engineering jobs opportunities are available for students who want to start a career in civil engineering. Below is the list of a few civil engineering job opportunities which students can grab-

• Geotechnical engineer- Geotechnical engineers specialize in rock science and soil mechanics and apply these principles to developing infrastructure. Here engineers usually work on designing, maintaining, analyzing structures like dams, towers, retaining walls, tunnels, roadways, embankments, and building foundations. 




• Design Engineer- Design engineers develop blueprints, schematics, and prototypes for various products, equipment, and structures. One of the critical responsibilities of design engineers is using design software and systems for project design, prototype development, testing, and design evaluation.




• Structural engineer- Structural engineers play a vital role in the construction industry and even the space industry. They design, analyze and test the structural aspects of bridges, dams, pipelines, structures, and even space rockets. 




• Environmental engineers- They apply civil engineering principles to develop waste disposal structures, pollution control structures, recycling plants, and public health infrastructure. They also play a role in making environmental impact assessment reports, developing environment-friendly practices, monitoring and evaluating environmental programs' effectiveness, and acting as counsel for environmental cleanup and remediation projects.




• Water resource engineers- Their primary focus is on designing, constructing, and maintaining water resource facilities like canals, sewage treatment plants, irrigation systems, pipelines, reservoirs, dams, and floodways. 




• Government Sector- Civil engineers form an essential part of the engineering arm of various PSUs and government organizations. Their primary role in government organizations is in the fields of management, project supervision, developing standards, etc.




• Academics- Academics is one of the best fields for students interested in research and teaching. The path to an academic career starts with joining M.tech or Ph.D. courses after graduation. Here students can expand their knowledge about the civil engineering domain, create new knowledge, create new concepts and models. Ample job opportunities are there for students to build up an academic career.

Corporate Jobs- Civil engineers who want to build up a career in corporate management can pursue an MBA after engineering. After MBA, they can take roles like project managers in infrastructure firms, industrial managers, supply chain managers, sales managers, marketing managers, financial management, etc.


 

What do Civil Engineers do?

  It's a natural question that arises in the mind of civil engineering students, that what would be their responsibilities after joining as an engineer in various firms and organizations, so here is a list of a few responsibilities that civil engineering students take- 

• Develop survey reports, maps, soil reports, and other reports and data necessary for the planning and development of projects.



• Find construction costs and prepare detailed reports on the cost of the project.



• Ensure that the design meets government regulations and environmental standards. They also identify potential environmental hazards that the project can create, make an action plan to mitigate the hazards, and carry out a risk analysis.



• Create tenders, manage the tendering process, develop documents for the tender, etc.



• Carry out various tests to collect data for the project and design and carry out experiments to check the reliability of the project. 



• Inspect the quality of the building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, steel, etc., to be used in the project.



• Create a plan for labor, material, and equipment to ensure efficient work.



• Use computer-aided design tools and software to design, test, and analyze structures.



• Submit bidding proposals with proper documentation.



• Carry out the maintenance and repair projects. 

Also Read: Top 5 Ways To Shape Your Career As A Chemical Engineer

Recent trends in civil engineering 

  A lot of innovation and research is happening in the field of civil engineering. Some of the major revolutionizing trends that students should know and master are- Building Information Modelling(BIM), 3D Printing, Self Healing Concrete, the use of Artificial intelligence and machine learning for design and analyses, etc.


  Civil engineers carry on the crucial responsibility of designing and constructing safes, homes, and infrastructures and are, in a true sense, the builders of the modern world. If you want to build up a lucrative career in civil engineering with the best skills, learning, and training, come and join the civil engineering program at TOMS college of engineering and polytechnic.


TOMS offers Btech and diploma courses in civil engineering, with the best education, training, skills, lab facilities, and job opportunities for students. Btech in Civil engineering course at TOMS is designed to equip students for a successful career in the civil engineering spectrum, particularly in the area dealing with construction, infrastructure, and maintenance.