Civil Engineering Career – A Guide To Start Your Construction Career In 2023

Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Admin

There is a lot of information available all over the internet on a civil engineering career topic. Also, you can read all about it as a subject from the books well written and crafted by legendary authors and technocrats. We have tried here to provide you with the highlights of the mother branch of all engineering. A complete guide to starting your civil engineer and construction careers in 2023 and beyond.

This article is written to answer the most important question before starting your civil engineering career journey; find here career advice, and a career path in India and overseas. Also, get answers for jobs, salary, subjects, courses, alternative careers for civil engineers, etc. Kindly check this excellent article to explore the various civil engineering career options.

Civil Engineering A Rewarding Career Option

Civil engineering is the most demanding and very much lucrative career option. We have tried to answer most of the questions to choose civil engineering as a career option. Find all the information you want to know about civil engineering to decide on opting for civil engineering as a career option.

This article is about the civil engineering career option after the 10th and 12th standards and how to make your career in civil engineering.

Discover the correct answers for civil engineering as a career option after the 10th and 12th std. You can find here the complete information to become a successful civil engineer.

Read About: Civil Engineering Careers Blueprint eBook: The Great Construction Career.

What is Civil Engineering (CE)?

It is also called the ‘Mother of Engineering.’ Earlier, there used to be only two types of engineering, and one is Military engineering for army purposes and civil purposes.

Engineering branches such as Mechanical Engineering and Electrical engineering have originated from military engineering and become independent fields. At the same time, CE remains the  All the other branches, such as Mechanical Engineering and Electrical engineering, have originated from military engineering and become separate fields. In contrast, CE remains the same. Same. About What Is The Difference Between Civil Engineering and Architecture?

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Types of civil engineering Projects

Civil engineering is concerned with bridges, dams, roads, buildings, Metro rails, etc. This type of engineering occurs at almost all levels, from the private sector to the national government. There are several types of civil engineering, which include:

1. Structural Engineering

Structural engineering incorporates the analysis and design of various structures, such as bridges and buildings. The main aim is to establish and ascertain whether these structures can withstand the different types of environmental factors, such as typhoons, high winds, and even earthquakes.

The structural engineers do structural engineering. They have to be well informed in the behavior and properties of the different kinds of materials used in the construction.

2. Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering mainly depends on science and technology in creating projects and providing solutions to problems that relate to geology. The construction projects incorporate pipelines, tunnels, levees, mines, structural foundations, stable slopes, and embankments.

The geotechnical engineer must understand the soil conditions in absolutely all these types of scenarios because projects are bound to fail if the soil is not suitable. Geotechnical engineering typically uses rock and soil mechanics principles to assess the site conditions’ risks.

3. Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering analyzes the problems, especially the environmental ones, and strives to generate a solution to the issues. It puts together the study of mathematics, environmental science, biology, atmospheric science, engineering technology, chemistry, and hydrology.

The tasks carried out by the environmental engineers include improving the quality of water and air, locating underground water sources and treating, management of solid waste, and treating both hazardous and non-hazardous substances.

4. Water Resources Engineering

Water resources engineering aims to improve the quantity and quality of water sources and water. Meteorology, environmental science, fluid dynamics, and hydrology play crucial roles in water resources engineering.

The water resources engineers concentrate on stormwater and food analysis, groundwater remediation, wetland protection, wastewater treatment, and water supply planning.

5. Construction Engineering

Each of the civil engineering projects has to incorporate construction. Construction engineers, therefore, manage tasks such as the erection of structures, digging of tunnels, construction of roads, and building of treatment plants.

Therefore, a construction engineer provides the necessary support to the project managers and plays a crucial role in coming up with the scopes, designs, and even the cost estimates for the planning and, consequently, the construction of the projects that have been approved. Although many skills are required for this type of engineering, skills in math and science are the most important.

6. Transportation Engineering

Transportation engineering involves designing, constructing, and maintaining railways, highways, ports, and airfields. Transportation engineers research and improve traffic controls and develop new ways of transportation to facilitate mass transportation.

Put, transportation engineering aims at providing efficient, safe, comfortable, rapid, economic convenience and a movement of goods and people in such a manner that is much compatible with the environment.

Read To Know About the Top 27 Emerging Trends In Civil Engineering To Watch In 2023

Why a Civil Engineer is a good career option?

Civil engineers are committed to designing and building highways, plumbing design, transportation systems, bridges, and tunnels.

They also perform services for schools, hospitals, airports, other buildings, sewage systems, water treatment facilities, and material science.

Most structures, large and small, require the help of a civil engineer, whether in the designing, planning, or managing of the project.

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Civil Engineer Career Path

This is the typical civil engineering career path for most civil engineering graduates.

Civil engineers start as entry-level engineers in construction and could be promoted up to the Project manager profile.

The core civil engineering curriculum provides an excellent foundation for the critical thinking necessary to work in construction. Additional project management, safety, scheduling, estimating, and risk management classes are recommended.

As construction is hands-on, early field experience is essential to building your career. Civil engineers in the construction sector are instrumental in building and maintaining the world we live in.

What does a Civil Engineer do?

Role Of A Civil Engineer

The role of a civil engineer could be pretty complex, so you should know about it before you try to become one. CE is also known as construction engineering or structural engineering in some places. There are several exciting things about CE, which you will get to know with experience. Here we list some of the things you might be focusing on as you work:

• Airports.
• Tunnels and bridges.
• Fire stations.
• Mining.
• Ports and harbors.
• Drainage and flood barriers.
• Railways.

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Duties of Civil Engineer

Civil engineers typically perform the following duties;

• Civil engineers are involved in designing and building highways, bridges and tunnels, schools, hospitals, airports, and other buildings, sewage systems, and water treatment facilities.
• Civil engineers also help preserve our environment by assisting in cleaning up existing pollution and planning ways to reduce future pollution of our air, land, and water.
• Civil engineers help plan and supervise various projects involving construction, water systems, and roads.
• Most structures, large and small, require the help of a civil engineer, whether in the designing, planning, or managing of the project.
• Civil engineers are responsible for planning and creating building projects, such as water systems, tunnels, bridges, and other public works projects. During the design phases, engineers calculate the load requirements and weather conditions that the completed structure needs to withstand. They usually consult with the builders to ensure that the project is constructed safely and successfully.
• The civil engineering field offers a variety of professional and educational opportunities.
• Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sectors, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage treatment systems.

• Many civil engineers work in planning, design, construction, research, and education.
• Analyze long-range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and design projects
• Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental hazards, and other factors during the planning and risk-analysis stages.
• Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, verifying that projects comply with various regulations
• Oversee and analyze the results of soil testing to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations
• Analyze the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, or steel, for use in particular projects
• Prepare cost estimates for materials, construction equipment, or labor to determine a project’s economic feasibility.
• Use design software to plan and design transportation systems, hydraulic systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards
• Perform or oversee surveying operations to establish building locations, site layouts, reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction
• Manage the repair, maintenance, and replacement of public and private infrastructure
• This field requires mathematical solid and communication skills.

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How to become a Civil Engineer?

Civil engineering courses

The following are the options available to study civil engineering courses in India to become a civil engineer.

Civil Engineering Diploma Course

Most entry-level civil engineering positions require a bachelor’s degree. In India, to pursue a career as a civil engineer, one should start his career journey directly after his 10^th standard (SSC) by applying for the three-years diploma course in civil engineering.

There are thousands of polytechnic institutes in India offering various specialized diploma courses. Check out the state-wise polytechnic institutes’ lists offering AICTE-approved civil engineering diploma courses.

Most of the candidates opt for jobs after completing their diploma courses. Also, there’s a good demand in India to start a career in civil engineering after a diploma course, as most companies provide them with career opportunities at an entry-level positions.

After gaining good industry experience, many diploma engineers are also earning good salaries. All of it depends on one’s choice and their family and financial obligations.

Most successful civil engineers and construction professionals have started their careers by being diploma holders. After gaining good hands-on experience and other essential paper qualifications, these people now handle multi-million dollar projects.

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Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering 

B.E. and B.Tech course is four years of full-time degree courses. In most of the reputed and renowned institutes, students can also get a job offer in the third or final year of their engineering course through the campus placement programs by various construction, real estate, infrastructure, projects, and even oil and gas companies.

One can opt for a bachelor’s degree program in BE or B.Tech from anywhere in India is offered by various government and private engineering colleges. You can get direct admission in Civil engineering degree courses after 12^th Standard (HSSC)  at various engineering colleges across India.

In India, degree courses in civil engineering and allied courses are offered by almost all the prestigious IITs, NIT, Government Engineering colleges, Private Engineering colleges, and similar reputed institutes.

After completing a polytechnic diploma, which is three years duration, candidates can opt for a degree course in civil engineering; the time of this degree program is only three years, which means diploma students can directly get admission in the second year of Engineering / Technology courses.

There are thousands of engineering colleges and institutes offering a four-year full-time degree in various branches of Engineering and Technology in India. Check this list of the UGC and AICTE-approved engineering and technology colleges offering civil engineering degree courses in BE and B.Tech in India.

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Post-Graduate Courses in Civil Engineering

After the bachelor’s degree courses in civil engineering, one can also opt for two years of full-time postgraduate master’s degree programs in various civil engineering specializations. The following are the significant areas of specialization in civil engineering.

• Environmental Engineering
• Geoinformatics
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
• Infrastructure Engineering and Management
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Remote Sensing
• Construction Technology And Management
• Building Technology and Construction Management (BTCM)
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE)
• Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
• Rock Engineering and Underground Structures
• Environmental Engineering and Management

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Education Qualification

• For Diploma Course: Minimum 10th Std. Pass (SSC)
• For Degree Courses: Minimum 12th Std. pass (HSSC)
• For Post Graduate Courses: One needs to study B.Tech or B.E, a fours years full-time degree in Civil engineering courses recognized by AICTE and UGC in India to become a civil engineer.

You must focus on at least 40 different subjects the more emphasis should be on;

• Mathematics
• Technology
• Engineering Drawing
• Design
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Geography

If your education is over, you may need to take some technical job-oriented courses and tests. One could even do construction software to make an entry in this field. Usually, a bachelor’s degree is needed to land a job as a civil engineer. Also, consider doing these courses outside your favorite area to get versatile.

Specializations: Specializing in something in the industry helps you work in an area of your interest. Make sure you know all of your options and choose wisely.

Get an Internship: While in education, you might take the chance of earning an internship, so research the type of company you’d like to work for and apply. Such experiences will help, and your resume will get some boost.

Examinations: To enter this field and become a civil engineer, you must take some examinations. You must qualify for the entrance exams at the national or state levels.

Join a Professional Organisation: Once qualified as a civil engineer, you must join a professional organization in your place. This will keep you updated with news in the industry and give you an opportunity to network.

Read About How To Face Civil Engineering Interview In 2023

List of the subjects (Syllabus)

To become a civil engineer, one needs to study at least 40 subjects in four years of duration of the course; the leading civil engineering subjects included in the civil engineering syllabus are;

• Structural Mechanics
• Building Construction Materials
• Surveying
• Building and Town Planning
• Concrete Technology
• Economics for Engineers
• Geology and Geotechnical Engineering
• Building Construction
• Fluid Mechanics
• Design of Structures
• Water Resources and Irrigation
• Environmental Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Advanced Construction
• Foundation Engineering
• Law for Engineers
• Construction and Project Management

Those looking for supervisory or research positions can continue their education in a graduate program. A master’s degree in civil engineering can help students develop the techno-management skills needed to oversee interdisciplinary projects.

Read more about Civil Engineering Complete Syllabus for BE | B.Tech Course

What is the future of a Civil Engineering graduate?

Civil Engineers Market demand

Civil engineering has historically been and looks set to continue to be one of the most in-demand engineering posts worldwide. They build the very infrastructure around us, which is unlikely to change in the future.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, civil engineering jobs will increase by 10% by 2026. and also, RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) predicts a demand-supply gap of 44 million crore civil engineering professionals in India by 2023.

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Civil engineering is an umbrella term and is unlikely to become saturated soon. Civil engineering subcategories include structural engineering, environmental engineering, road/highway engineering, and transportation engineering.

A plethora of opportunities awaits skilled professionals in civil engineering in the future, and the scope of civil engineering is enormous.

With the booming population and increased demands of sustainable infrastructure in the high-end road and railway networks, better water supply arrangements, and concept buildings, the proper skill set can take you to new highs in your civil engineering career.

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In addition, this fast-growing potential is why this job is called ‘evergreen.’ Students enrolling for admission in Civil Engineering in 2023 can prepare and train themselves with the right skill set to be instantly employed in high-end national and international projects.

A person after the required qualification can also go abroad to work in multinational companies such as MNCs in the USA, Singapore, and UAE, where they can find technologically advanced learning and experience. The salary expectations after a degree vary from institute to job location and depend on the individual’s skills.

In India, Civil engineers are employed in all the major construction projects carried out by the state or central government like the public works departments (PWD), Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), railways and military, and other various government engineering departments. Civil Engineers are mainly required in private construction and real estate companies for different job profiles.

You can also find various construction jobs posted on our Job Board for civil engineers, kindly register yourself and start applying for the civil engineering jobs.

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Various Job profiles 

Civil engineers can choose to focus on several specific types of projects. For example, you could work on construction projects, help write building codes, or serve as a project leader.

A civil engineering degree prepares you for work in the construction industry and the business, management, and financial sectors. Civil Engineers can find opportunities in any of the following Job category of Job profiles.

The following are the types of civil engineer jobs that are out there. Jobs where your CE degree would be useful include;

• Billing Engineer
• Building control surveyor
• Building services engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Construction Engineer
• Cost & Estimation Engineer
• Engineering geologist
• Environmental engineers
• Estimation/Costing Engineer
• Geotechnical engineers
• Planning Engineer
• Project engineer
• QA/QC Engineer
• Quantity surveyor
• Sales Engineer
• Site engineer
• Specification engineer
• Structural engineer
• Transportation engineers
• Water engineer

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Civil Engineer Salary

In civil engineering career salary offered for a Civil Engineer graduate is an average salary of $66 409 per year in the USA.

In India, fresh Civil Engineer graduates could earn an average salary of Rs 3, 11, 017 per year and rise to around 12-18 lakhs per year. ( Source: Payscale)

As you earn experience, you will gain more. Experience strongly influences pay for this job, and the figures are only a guideline to help you.

The highest paying skills associated with this job are Microsoft Project, Project Management, Engineering Design, and Project control.

The employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 20 percent from 2015 to 2023, which is also much faster than the average for all occupations. As infrastructure ages, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects to rebuild bridges, repair roads, and upgrade levees and dams.

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Skills Needed for a Job as a Civil Engineer

The following are the civil engineering requirements;

• Management Skills.
• Analytical Thinking.Technical Skill
• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Leadership Skills
• Creative Mind
• Being Able to Negotiate.
• Attention to Detail
• Good Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Being able to Visualize
• Team-Player
• Passion for Learning
• Enthusiasm and Commitment

While soft skills like leadership and communication are critical to CE, civil engineers also require complex technical skills. They must be skilled in math and physics and map reading, design techniques, and computer-aided design (CAD) software.

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Transferable skills gained in a civil engineering course include;

• Creative approach to problem-solving
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to interpret data
• Numeracy, IT, and communication skills
• Analytical and decision-making abilities
• An awareness of ethical issues.

Civil engineers must also present their findings to the public on bid proposals, environmental impact statements, or property descriptions.

Essential Qualities for Civil Engineers

Decision-making skills. Civil engineers must be able to make good decisions based on best practices, their technical knowledge, and their own experience. Civil engineers often balance multiple and frequently conflicting objectives, such as determining the feasibility of plans concerning financial costs and safety concerns. Urban and regional planners often look to civil engineers for advice on these issues.

Leadership skills. Civil engineers take ultimate responsibility for the projects they manage or research they perform. Therefore, they must be able to lead planners, surveyors, construction managers, civil engineering technicians, civil engineering technologists, and others in implementing their project plan.

Math skills. Civil engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Organizational skills. Only licensed civil engineers can sign design documents for infrastructure projects. This requirement makes it imperative that civil engineers be able to monitor and evaluate the work at the job site as a project progresses. That way, they can ensure compliance with the design documents. Civil engineers also often manage several projects simultaneously and thus must be able to balance time needs and allocate resources effectively.

Problem-solving skills. Civil engineers work at the highest level of the planning, design, construction, and operation of multifaceted projects or research. The many variables involved require that they possess the ability to identify and evaluate complex problems. They must be able to use their skill and training then to develop cost-effective, safe, and efficient solutions.

Speaking skills. Civil engineers must present reports and plans to audiences of people with a wide range of backgrounds and technical knowledge. This requires communicating, conversing with people in various settings, and translating engineering and scientific information into easy-to-understand concepts.

Civil engineers must be able to write reports that are clear, concise, and understandable to those with little or no technical or scientific background. They are writing skills. Civil engineers must be able to write reports that are clear, concise, and understandable to those with little or no technical or scientific background. Civil engineers must be able to communicate with others.

Other skills also include;

• Teamwork
• Decision making
• Project management
• Communication.
• Mathematics, Science, Computer knowledge, and Design skills.
• Creativity

If you think you have the skills mentioned above, you need to be trained to be a civil engineer.

Read About How To Face Civil Engineering Interview In 2023

A brief job description of some of the job profiles

Construction engineers manage construction projects, ensuring scheduled and built following plans and specifications. These engineers are typically responsible for the design and safety of temporary structures used during construction. They may also oversee the budgetary, time-management, and communications aspects.

Geotechnical engineers make sure that foundations for built objects ranging from streets and buildings to runways and dams are solid. They focus on how structures built by civil engineers, such as buildings and tunnels, interact with the earth (including soil and rock). In addition, Geotech engineers design and plan for slopes, retaining walls, and tunnels.

Structural engineers design and assess major projects, such as buildings, bridges, or dams, to ensure their strength and durability.

Transportation engineers plan, design, operate, and maintain everyday systems, such as streets and highways, and plan more significant projects like airports, ship ports, mass transit systems, and harbors.

Civil engineers work in a variety of locations and conditions. Some jobs may require frequent relocation to different areas and offices in job site trailers. Civil engineers may spend most of their time indoors in offices when working on designs. However, construction engineers may spend much of their time outdoors at construction sites monitoring operations or solving onsite problems.

Civil engineers who function as project managers may work from cars or trucks as they move from site to site. Many civil engineers work for government agencies in government office buildings or facilities. Civil engineers travel abroad to work on large engineering projects in other countries.

Download: Ultimate Guide To Job Interview Answers For Engineers

Final Words

After reading this in-depth article, you can easily decide whether civil engineering would be a better career option for you or not. We recommend that the entrants’ career aspirants go for the civil engineering career, as there is and will always be a demand for skilled civil engineers and construction professionals forever.

In summary, Civil Engineering would be a good career choice. This essential engineering field is suitable for your civil engineering career. Specifically, It also has the advantage of getting government jobs in almost every sector. So start with a training program and get on your way to becoming a successful civil engineer.

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