How is the advancement?

A civil engineer sounds like quite an interesting job. You mentioned something about wanting to "move up" in the career. My question is, "What kind of advancement options are there from a civil engineer and how does the type of work change as well as the pay?"

Advancement

There are many ways to advance a career in Civil Engineering.

What I was interested in, was advancing my career within the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The first thing I have to do in order to do that is to pass an exam called the "Professional Engineering" or "PE" exam. Until I pass that exam, I will stay in my present job description which is "Engineering Intern." After I pass the PE exam, I will qualify for other Civil Engineering jobs within the DOT at higher pay scales. I took the exam in October and will not find out if I passed it until February 2003.

Right now my pay scale goes to around $52,000 per year. There are other jobs within the DOT ranging upwards to $80 - $100,000 per year.

Civil Engineers frequently change jobs to achieve higher pay also. Governmental agencies such as cities, counties and the state all hire Civil Engineers. Private consulting firms and contractors hire them too.

You asked about changes in the type of work. Within the Department of Transportation, there are many choices for a Civil Engineer and he or she could advance into any of them. For instance, if you like computers, you could work in the Office of Design. The DOT projects are designed in a program called Microstation. (It's a CAD-type program). Other choices within the DOT are: construction (you would be responsible for the construction of DOT projects), materials (you would test or design the kind of materials to be used on a particular project), planning (you would be involved in the planning of future projects), maintenance (you would be responsible for maintaining the roads and bridges that we currently have).

I might mention just one more thing. From everything I have read lately, there will be a continuing need for more Civil Engineers during the coming years. For some reason, enrollment was down in engineering schools in the 1990's. I'm not sure if it has gone up in the last couple of years or not. So it is not a profession that is over-saturated. It is also a great profession for either a man or a woman. The Department of Transportation is a great place for a Civil Engineer to work.

flowers

Did you ever work with road signs?

Road signs

Yes, I have worked with road signs. We have projects every year in various parts of the state to update or replace road signs.

Also, when you construct a new alignment such as the IA 5 Bypass around the south side of Des Moines, roads signs have to be a part of the project.

Career change

Civil engineer sounds like a fun job. I want a career that will allow me be outside most of the time. I am 30 years old, is it too late for me to pursue a career in this field? Also what are the opportunities like as a civil engineer to work abroad?

Civil Engineer

You are right; it is a fun job. Every day is different so there is not much chance for boredom. If you want a career where you can work outside, you can easily do that being a civil engineer. I worked in construction at the state Department of Transportation for six years and I was responsible for the construction of many different kinds of projects. If you would like to work abroad, you should try to get a job with a large engineering firm that has offices all over the country. They also do work in other countries.

You are definitely not too old at 30 to go back to school (or even to begin college for the first time). I say this with such emphasis because I went back to school at the age of 48 and graduated when I was 52. I have never regretted it, and I loved every minute of it even though it was very hard at times!

I would advise you to do some preparation before you enter a university. I attended a community college part time for about three years before I entered a four-year university. This was because I had forgotten much of the math and science I had in high school. I began with algebra and trigonometry and worked my way through part of the calculus at the community college. I also took chemistry and physics there. If you are confident that you still remember everything, maybe you would not have to do this. If you have any doubts, it doesn't hurt to take the classes over because it will give you the confidence to continue. Another thing you should do is to go to an engineering school and talk to an engineering advisor.

If you want to do this bad enough, I have no doubt that you will be able to succeed!!!! Good Luck!

Salary

How much is your salary a year? I am doing a project on Civil Engineering so I read your little note and wanted to ask you.

Salary

See Barb's response above under "Advancement."

High School Student

Hi! I have been searching around all night trying to find some info on civil engineering -- info such as 1)occupation discription 2)occupation specialties 3)duties and responsibilities 4)earnings & advancement 5)licensure & special requirements 6)education & training. Do you know of a Web sight I can go to to get info like this? I need it for a school report.Thank you

High school student

Try this site. Did you read all the pages in the Civil Engineer link? Start here http://www.careers.iptv.org/enhanced/1055/ec_careerhome.cfm

I feel too old

I'm 49 years old. My kids are grown and I'm divorced. I've worked since I was 18 years old. I know that I have to go back to school to have somethihg for myself. I've thought about civil engineering for a while. I just hope I'm not too old to get a job after I graduate. Is possible?

Not TOO Old

I'm 48 and will graduate with a BS in civil at 50. Love what you do and be the best you can be and everything else falls into place.

Accounting Clerk

I'm 49 years old. I have two years degree in accounting. My kids are grown and I'm looking to change my career. I've worked since I was 18 years old. I know that I want to go back to school, and I wish to study on line, to get a degree in somethihg I love. That I believe is to be an engineer. Since I was young, but I couldn't I that moments to realize my dreams. I've thought about civil engineering for a while. I just hope I'm not too old to get a job after I graduate. Is possible? I will thank you forever, your best advice. Have a beautiful day.!!

Not Too Old

No, you are not too old. I started college when I was 48 and graduated at 52 and had no problem getting a job. I did some preparatory work at a community college first to refresh my memory. I took algebra, trig, physics, and a couple of others. Since you have studied accounting, math should not be too difficult for you.

There may be some courses you can take on-line, however I don't believe you will be able to get your degree without attending class in person. I recommend that you go to whatever school you are interested in and talk to someone in the engineering department. If you call, they can put you in touch with someone and make an appointment for you. Then you can find out for sure what is needed. They might also recommend some courses you could take to prepare for full-time enrollment, if needed.

From everything I have read in the past few years, there is going to be a shortage of engineers in the future because of the retirement of all the baby-boomers. It is a very rewarding career and there is a need for civil engineers. Good Luck!

44 year old working student

Hi Barb,

Glad I found this article. Feeling a little discouraged after deciding to take a W on a beginning physics class so I can take it again next semester.

I'm 44 and getting my education started finally and don't expect to have my CE degree till age 49 or 50.

I read a lot about agism in the engineering field. Do you see that as much of a problem?

Am thinking about the Army Corps of Engineers or working abroad.

Thanks,

Ben

One Day at a Time

Hi Ben: Don't get discouraged! If I can do it, anyone can. I started at 48 and finished when I was 52 years old.

I worked summers for the Department of Transportation and that helped me get a job when I graduate. But I don't think I would have had any trouble getting a job somewhere else either. I think in some ways they like older students because they can be more dependable. When I was in school there were several other students in your age group and they all got jobs. I did not notice any age discrimination either at school or in getting a job.

They like to see someone with experience, so try to work summers in your field if possible.

Make sure you have the basics down before you take a class like physics. I re-took some classes I had in high school, because I had forgotten most of them. I started over with algebra and trig and that helped me get through the calculus and differential equations. I also re-took chemistry. With some classes like physics you just have to put in a little more time. Find a "Help Room" at your school or get a tutor! It actually gets easier after you get through the basic classes like calculus, physics and chemistry because you get into the CE classes and they will mean a lot more to you. Don't try to take too many classes at a time even if it takes you an extra semester. These subjects take a lot more time outside of class than a literature or history class. Try to balance your schedule with 2 hard classes and 2 easy ones.

Keep plugging away and take it one day at a time and you will get through. Good Luck! Barbara

Going back to school advice

Hi,

As a follow up to Ben's question, was there ever a point while going back to school that you felt like giving up? If so, how did you manage it? I too am going back to school for a degree in civil engineering and won't be taking any real engineering classes for several years because my math skills are quite rusty. While I haven't felt the urge to give up on my education process yet, it would be nice to hear your thoughts since you've been there, done that.

Thanks,

difference

What's the difference between what a civil engineer does and what a project manager does? Also, who is more senior? For example, who has to listen to whom?

Differences

In most cases the project manager is a civil engineer. In the case of my work at the Department of Transportation, if I were the project manager on a job I would have other people also working on the project who would answer to me. However,I would have another engineer who I would ultimately answer to, and he/she would be a civil engineer too. So, I guess the answer to your question could be one of seniority. One usually begins being responsible, that is, a project manager for a smaller project and then working up to more complex or larger projects.

In some companies, the employees take turns being the project manager. An engineer might be the project manager on one project, and then they might work for someone else on the next project. This way everyone gains different kinds of experience.

presentation

As a civil engineer do you need presentation skills?

Presentation skills

The answer to this question is, "Yes!" I have needed to use presentation skills many times -- sometimes just to present to co-workers and sometimes to larger Department of Transportation audiences. Usually it would be to describe a project that I worked on, or a new method of constructing something. It would be good for a student to take all of the English and speech that is available to him/her, because in most engineering jobs, both written and verbal skills are essential.

Water

How is water related to your career? What do you have to know about water to do your job?

Water knowledge

Civil engineers usually specialize in one of five areas: structures, environmental, transportation, geotechnical, or materials. Civil engineers who specialize in "environmental engineering" would design waste water and drinking water facilities. They might also work with an agency such as the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and test lakes and rivers. Those engineers would work more with water than I (I specialized in transportation engineering). The main thing I have to worry about in designing and constructing DOT (Department of Transportation) projects is to make sure that I do not let any run-off from the construction get into our waterways and pollute them. We do this by putting in silt fences and other devices that will catch the soil before it gets into the creeks and streams. We also try to seed any areas that are disturbed by construction, as quickly as possible.

Space

Hi Barb,

I'm currently a network tech and am going to my local community college for general ed and hope on transferring to University of California or California State University. I've always wanted to go to space and since I'm not an astronaut, I decided to be a civil engineer. I'm interested in structural/materials engineering and would like to design/construct structures in space. Are there any suggestions you can give me? Classes to take, experience to look for, firms, government, etc.?

Thank you

Engineering in outer space!

I think you should call and make an appointment with someone (an engineering advisor) at the school you are interested in attending. If you are thinking about California State University, for instance, you could call and make an appointment to go there and talk to someone. You should either talk to someone in the Civil Engineering Department or the Material's Science and Engineering Department. Don't just talk to a generic advisor because they would not know as much about the specific area in which you are interested. You could make arrangements to do this over spring break or even during summer vacation. This is important for two reasons. First of all, they can advise you more specifically about the courses you should be planning to take for your degree; and secondly, if you are at a community college, they may not know about prerequisite requirements at the university. An example would be that I was required to take two courses in sequence (Such as U.S. History 1 and U.S. History 2). They can also give you specific information about the different engineering degrees they offer. Iowa State University, where I earned my degree, offers a degree in Aerospace Engineering as well as Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science Engineering. Even if you decide on Civil Engineering, you may want to take electives in one of these other areas.

I'm not sure what places of employment would be best for you. Again, this could be a subject to discuss with an advisor. The different Engineering Departments at Iowa State have graduate students working on various projects. Some of them might be similar to the area you are interested in. There are jobs available through the school where you could work on these projects, (and get paid). I know Boeing in California, (used to be Rockwell) works on the Space Shuttle Program. Also, Collins-Rockwell in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I'm sure there are others that I don't know about.

I hope this helps you.

student

How is the pythagorean theorem used or relavant to your career?

Pythagorean Theorem

How is the pythagorean theorem used in your career?

Pythagorean Theorem Usage

I do not use the Pythagorean Theorem on a daily basis, however I have used it on occasion to find a distance in the field. I used it a lot while studying for the Professional Engineering Exam. It was needed to solve many different kinds of problems such as open channel flow and surveying calculations.

Supervisor

I studied as civil engineer in Mexico, What should I do to work here in U.S.

From Mexico to Iowa

The best thing for you to do if you want to work in the state of Iowa is to contact the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. It is part of the Iowa Department of Commerce. They issue licenses to engineers for the State of Iowa. You need a license to practice as a Professional Engineer in Iowa. They will be able to tell you exactly what the requirements for licensing are. Their website is: www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/engx
They are located at:
1918 S.E. Hulsizer
Ankeny, Iowa 50021-3941
Phone: 515-281-4126

You don't mention if you have graduated from college or not. If you have, you may be able to work as an unlicensed Civil Engineer in Iowa, but I'm not sure.

It takes four things to be a licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa:
1) Graduation from an accredited school/university
2) Passing of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
3) Four years' experience working in the Civil Engineering Field
4) Passing of the Professional Engineering Exam

Supervisor

I finished the university in Mexico as a civil engineer. Actually I took several courses relating to construction and drafting (AutoCad). I applied with the city and another companies, but unfortunatelly they asking for some experince and do not have any in USA. I'm living in California, and I can move to another state if I have to. I would like to work in contruction field. Thank you for your advice. Sincerely, S Duran From CA.

Try working as an intern

I believe I would continue to try to get a job with an agency such as CALTRANS. You could begin by trying to get a job as a summer intern (such as a college student might do). Once you have worked for them for awhile, you could try to work yourself up to an engineering position.

I'm not sure how your degree compares with that of one from the US, so you might visit with an engineering professor from a university in your area to see if you have the same required course work. Most civil engineers in the US have to eventually pass the "Fundamentals of Engineering" (FE) exam and then the "Professional Engineering" (PE) exam. In California they require extra study and testing in the Seismic area because of earthquakes.

You might try a road building contractor in your area. They don't usually care if you have a license.

Again, you may have to start with a lesser job until you get the experience you need. Good Luck to you. Barbara

Planning

I have recently found an interest in civil engineering. This comes against a background of social sciences and law. I think the most interesting part of civil engineering is the planning stages of a project. For example, when planning the US 65/IA 5 loop, how much influence do you suppose civil engineers had regarding where the route of the highway would go? How much influence in considering the purchase of land for constructing the highway? Would engineers also consider the proximity to populated areas for the new highway in the effort to stimulate economic growth? Also, how would their job in planning compare to that of a city/regional planner? Thank you

Planning

I work at the Iowa Department of Transportation and in the Office of Location and Environment. My section prepares Location Studies that determine the location and general design of projects such as the US 65 and relocated Iowa 5 projects around Des Moines. The civil engineers working on these types of projects have a great deal of input regarding the location of the highway. Our objective is to determine a range of feasible and reasonable locations for projects based on engineering requirements, including traffic service, terrain, and roadway design requirements.

In addition to these engineering requirements, socioeconomic conditions and natural resources must also be considered when determining the location of any highway project. Our philosophy in constructing new roadways is to serve traffic demands and provide solutions to traffic and safety concerns. Generally, projects are not built in order to generate economic growth, but rather to be able to respond to economic growth and the resulting traffic demands.

In response to your specific question regarding the consideration of proximity to populated areas, yes, this is definitely a factor that is considered in numerous ways. For example, when the access (or interchange)locations to a freeway are determined, those access points must be located conveniently for large numbers of travelers and be able to serve major traffic generators such as malls, schools and businesses. Many times this also leads to a consideration of noise levels within the populated areas next to a project since the highway may need to be located close to homes.

In response to your question about an engineer in planning versus a city or regional planner, I offer the following. As part of my job, I work frequently with local planners. We use traffic data (estimated into the future 20 or 30 years) that are built on traffic models prepared locally. Local planning helps to determine what type of highways are needed in an area to serve the existing and future traffic needs. The state route projects identified at the local planning level are conceptual and many of the design specifics, such as the exact location, are not yet determined. My office begins to work out the details of a proposed highway project,such as the location, the number of lanes needed and where the interchanges will be.

I hope this answers your questions. Good luck on your career decisions.

Re: Planning

Thanks. That is exactly what I wanted to know. Your response was so thorough that it made me think of a couple more questions.

Do the civil engineers in your office have an environmental emphasis in civil engineering, or just a general civil engineering degree? Also, what is the reputation of the Iowa engineering schools regarding employment (Iowa vs. Iowa State)? If possible, put aside any bias that may come from the DOT office being located in Ames. :)

Planning

Most of the engineers in my office have a general civil engineering degree. Many have had additional training in transportation engineering. We do not have any environmental engineers in my office. Environmental engineers are usually associated with water treatment, waste water, and hazardous materials. My office does interact with some engineers who deal with hazardous materials on projects, but they are specialized in that area and are not involved with other broad issues related to transportation planning projects.

In response to your question regarding Iowa State University (ISU) versus Iowa and employment opportunities, I can really only respond to ISU since that is where I graduated from. ISU has a good reputation for both civil and construction engineering and is known nationally for its engineering college. The CE department is ranked in the top 25 nationally and the Construction Engineering department has been ranked first out of the seven construction engineering departments that exist nationally. As for employment opportunities, as recently as 2002, over 90% of graduating civil engineers with a bachelor's degree from ISU were employed by the time they graduated.

High school student

Are the calculus and physics classes as hard as I have heard in college for civil engineering?

Help for calc & physics

Calculus and physics are both tough classes, but if I can get through them, anybody can. Most colleges offer tutoring resources for classes. At Iowa State University the math department has a help room that is open several hours a day and it is staffed by graduate students. Students can get help for any level of math class and can even do homework there. The physics department has a similar room staffed by physics graduate students. There are also private tutors available if needed.

Some professors are better at teaching calculus and physics than others. Word of mouth is the best way to find them and then try to get into their classes.

One other thing you should know . . . I have never used calculus or differential equations as a Civil Engineer. You just need the background of knowledge to make you a better engineer.

Student

I am currently studying to become a civil engineer....and I feel like I made the right choice. What difficulties did u have while u were starting up as a civil engineer?????

No Shortage of Jobs

Hi Mick: I think you've made the right choice also because according to everything I read, there is going to be a shortage of Civil Engineers in the years to come, so you should have no problem getting a job. Also, Civil Engineers can get work all over the U.S. and the world, not just in specific areas of the country.

I really did not have any difficulties in getting a job because I worked summers for the Iowa DOT while I was in school and they had an opening when I graduated so I got a job right away. I would highly recommend that you try to get some experience in the way of summer employment while you are in school. You could also check into the Coop program if your school has one. You can get credit and experience at the same time. When companies are looking for someone to hire, they love people with experience.

I'm not sure where you go to school, but look at local cities, counties, state and even private consulting firms when looking for summer jobs. And start looking now, don't wait until May. Good Luck! Barbara

What's the difference?

I need to know what's the difference between civil engineering and construction engineering..it sounds alike, but in my place we have to choose in either taking the civil or the construction one..

Talk to Advisor

Hunt:
The main difference is that construction engineering requires classes that are geared more towards working in the construction industry such as working for a contractor or builder, etc. Civil engineering is geared more towards design. You would have to check with the school to see exactly what classes are required for each major.

I will tell you though, it doesn't make too much difference when you get out of school because I know people with construction engineering degrees working in areas other than construction and vice versa. If you have to choose, I would choose the civil engineering degree because I think the courses are more diverse and you could work anywhere you choose upon graduation. Talk to an advisor (one who is not biased) to see exactly what the differences are and he/she can help you decide which way is best for you to go depending on what line of work you want to get into. You may not know what you want to do as a beginning freshman, so maybe you can just take the basic engineering courses for a year until you decide.

Another way to help you decide is to attend both ASCE Student Chapter meetings as well as AGC Student Chapter meetings if your school has both. The ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) meetings will have speakers from different areas of civil engineering to help you see what all your options are. The AGC (Associated General Contractors) meetings will have speakers from the contracting industry.

Again, talk to someone in the engineering advising office and try to wait for a while to commit if you can. Good luck to you. Barbara

Student

I am a high school senior. I have taken two years of CADD and understand it's importance in many fields. Right now I am searching for colleges and I am confused in what I would like to study. I enjoy buildings, yet I also enjoy construction of roads and other public facilities. I am trying to find the pros and cons in architecture and civil engineering so I can make the right decision for a major. Can you also suggest any schools near the New England area not going further than Pennsyvania or D.C.?

Many Options

If you liked working with CADD and think you might enjoy designing roads, buildings and other public facilities, civil engineering might be a good major for you. I work with a program called Microstation which is similar to CADD. Here at the Iowa Department of Transportation we design roads, bridges, and everything else related to transportation. Civil engineers in general plan, design, and construct all of the facilities you mentioned plus many more such as waste and water treatment plants, bridges, lighting, sewers, signs, and even parking lots.

If you think you might be interested in architecture, there are some schools that offer a combination degree in architectural engineering. Also mechanical engineers design a lot of the stuff that goes into the buildings and other facilities such as the heating and AC. They usually are a little higher paid than civil engineers too. When I attended Iowa State University, the first year of study was very general and allowed me to explore the different engineering majors so that I could make an intelligent decision as to which one I preferred. Keep that in mind. I don't think you have to declare a specific major right in the beginning.

I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar with any of the schools outside of Iowa. The library would be your best bet there. They could also tell you how the different engineering schools rank. You might also talk to your guidance counselor.

One other thing I should mention. You can work on all of the above things without becoming an engineer. There are engineering technicians that are employed by state, county, and private consulting firms. They do much of the CADD work on the projects. They are good paying jobs, but not quite as good as the engineering ones. Just a thought. Good Luck to you!

Least boring engineering?

Do you think civil engineering is the least boring engineering? Sounds fun while stuff like mechanical or electrical deals a lot with machines instead of people.

More or Less Boring?

Since I have never been a mechanical or electrical engineer, I cannot speak with certainty about which ones are more or less boring. However, I chose civil because it was the engineering field most associated with helping people. If you think about it almost everything civil engineers do is related to making our lives better-- designing, building, or maintaining roads, bridges, waste & fresh water treatment plants, dams, houses, large buildings, and even off-shore drilling facilities, golf courses & stadiums. There are five different areas of civil engineering you could choose to work in: structures, transportation, geotechnical, environmental and materials. Within those areas you could choose to work at an inside or outside job or a combination of both, and you most always work directly with people. In my opinion, if you want exciting, choose construction! You get to help build something and see it completed. If you like computers, choose design. We use auto-cad type programs. I guess what it comes down to is what type of work interests you the most.

Calculus and Mathematics

Calculus is easy for me, but I have a question. Do aerospace or civil engineers use calculus or does the computer pop up the answer? And do engineers do hand calculations before they solve a mathematical equation on the computer?

Graduate Degrees

Do you think it is better to enter the field with just a bachelor's degree? Or to pursue a graduate degree before entering the workforce.

It Depends

It depends on what you plan to do in the workforce. If you plan to teach at the college level, it would probably be best to get a graduate degree. If you plan to work anywhere else, a bachelor's degree should be sufficient. Just be sure to take the "Fundamentals of Engineering" exam before you graduate. If you are a civil engineer, most places want you to get your PE as soon as possible.

Too Much Partying

Hello everyone,

I'm glad I stumbled upon this site, and I hope some of you are still active.

I am 25 years old, and have a B.S. in Marketing. My grades in high school were good enough to get me into a solid college (Clemson University). But, in college I did very poorly (2.1 gpa). I can safely say that my poor grades were the result of too much partying, and lack of interest in my major. Well, I have matured a lot since then, and am seriously considering going back to school for a degree in Civil Engineering.

I have a few questions:

Will my poor grades in college keep me from getting into a school for civil engineering?

Also, if I were to get my degree at a local community college, do companies look poorly upon that?

Could you tell me the difference between a Civil Engineering degree with an emphasis on construction, and a construction management degree?

Thanks a lot for any help you can give me!

Community Colleges Are Good

My advice to you is to call and talk to someone in the engineering department of the college you are interested in. That is the only way you can be sure what they require. They may let you in and give you a semester to prove yourself, but I'm not sure.

In Iowa, the community colleges do not offer a civil engineering degree, however many students start out at a community college and take some of the math and science courses and get their grade point up that way. Going to a community college should not be a problem with companies looking to hire someone. In Iowa, you would get your BS at a state university anyway.

I graduated from Iowa State University and they offer a degree in civil engineering and also a degree in construction engineering. The construction engineering degree is for people who are interested in working in the construction industry; however, the two degrees are pretty much interchangeable. You take more construction-related classes with the construction engineering degree.

As far as the construction management degree, it is not an engineering degree and I'm not sure what classes it requires. That would be a question for someone in the engineering department. A civil engineer would likely be higher paid than someone with a construction management degree.

I'm sure you will be able to find a way to get into an engineering school; however, they may require something extra of you or you may have to take a couple of classes at a community college to get your grades up. Again, you should make a phone call and talk to someone within the engineering department. Talk to a professor who advises students and he/she will be able to tell you exactly what to do. If you are close to the school you are interested in, go there an talk to someone in person.

One thing I do know for sure, over the coming years there is going to be a great need for civil engineers and you can get a job anywhere in the world. Good luck to you! I know this is possible if you want to do it!

Barbara

Thanks

Thanks a lot for your advice! It's good to know it's possible to get a job anywhere in the world. I've always wanted to travel a little bit, and that just might be the icing on the cake. But even without the travel, civil engineering sounds like it would be an exciting career.

Another Question

Hello again,

I was hoping you could answer another question of mine. I have decided to pursue a career in civil engineering, but I have one lingering question.

Is civil engineering really something that can be taught, or does it have a lot to do with your creativity. The reason I ask this is because I'm not the most creative person in the world. I wouldn't say I have no creativity, but I'm sure most of the people in the field have more than I do.

This question comes about because I was watching a show on TV about the building of the tunnel from London to Paris. Is that something that is taught in school and through years of experience? Or did the chief engineer in this project come up with completely new ideas? Where does one even start on a project like that? I can't see books teaching you that.

I just don't want to be stuck in an "admin" type role throughout my career because I don't have the creativity to build something like that.

Thanks in advance for your help. Any words of encouragement are helpful :).

-Casey

Popsicle Bridge Crisis

Hi, I am in highschool and we are doing a popsicle bridge contest and I just wanted to know if anyone had in good idea's or designs to help me. Thank you!!!

After college?

I am currently gathering information for a "look into the future" after college. After one gets a civil engineering degree, how do they take the next steps to getting a job, becoming a professional and generally how to actually start after getting a degree?

First Things First

Ralph:
First I will tell you what it takes to become a licensed professional civil engineer (this is as of right now because they are talking about changing the requirements). There are four things required to become a licensed professional civil engineer.
1)You have to graduate from an accredited engineering school.
2)You have to take the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) Exam and pass it. Usually you can take this exam in the last semester of school just before graduation. Upon passing this first test you will be an EI (Engineer Intern).
3) You have to work for 4 years in the field of civil engineering to gain experience.
4)You must take the PE (Professional Engineer) Exam and pass it. Then you will be eligible to get a license.

As far as getting a job, I would start exploring your options in the first summer after your freshman year in college and each consecutive summer after that. Try to get a summer job in the engineering field. These jobs are available in many places. Cities, counties, and the state all hire summer help. So do many private contractors and consulting firms as well as the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration. This will help you see what jobs you might like to pursue upon graduation. Also, if they like you, it usually assures you of a job offer when you graduate. Some students are offered a job as much as a year before graduation. Start looking for these summer jobs as early as February because by May it will usually be too late. Talk to an engineering advisor for other job options which might be available.

Another thing to consider is becoming a coop student. If your school offers this, you will take a semester off (while getting college credit) and work for a company in the engineering field. This is another good way of getting a job offer upon graduation.

Most engineering schools also have a placement office where jobs are posted. During the four or five years you are in school, you should become very familiar with this office. They will also help you to write a good resume. They should even have samples of resumes to use. During the school year, the colleges also typically have job fairs where companies come to talk to prospective employees. This is a good way to hone your interviewing skills and find out what jobs are out there. Civil engineers can work anywhere in the world and from everything I have read recently, there is going to be a huge need for them in the coming years. You should have no trouble getting a job.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you. Barbara

Anything is Possible

Hi Rachel: I went to school full-time at Iowa State and worked summers for the DOT. I do know some engineers here at the Iowa DOT who had full-time "Engineering Design Technician" jobs and went to school part-time to get their Civil Engineering degree. It was possible because of our proximity to Iowa State (just down the street) and also because the DOT allows us flex time to get in our 40 hours a week. If you are close to a school and your current firm will allow you time off to attend classes, you should be able to do it.

There aren't very many engineers here with a Master's Degree, however most all have their PE License. Here at the DOT, a new graduate Civil Engineer begins as an Engineer Intern and then they have a number of years to obtain their PE. The PE is required in order to move up into any of the higher level engineering positions.

You should talk to an advisor in the Civil Engineering Department at the school where you want to go. Maybe you can get a Master's in Civil Engineering without taking too many extra classes if you already have a degree in geology. Good Luck to you. Barbara

PE and Different States

I am attending Florida State University and plan to gradute in a few years with a degree in Civil Engineering. I'm just not sure where I want to settle down or what state I want to work in. How does it work if I get a PE liscense in the state of Florida but then decide to move to North Carolina and do engineering there several years later?

It All Depends

It all depends on the state you are moving to. I got my PE in Colorado, but when I moved to California I have to sit for two more exams to become a PE here. They did transfer the national 8-hour exam, but I also had to pass the Ca state specific survey and seismic. Most states allow transfers between each other. Check the state you are moving to and the PE registration board for detailed information per state.

FYI - the EIT is transferable to all states.

more questions

Is there a high demand for more civil engineers? Do you enjoy your job? What is a typical day like on the job? On average, how many hours can someone expect to work as a civil engineer? What's the average starting salary? What makes civil engineering different from architecture? And is it encouraged to get more education once you've graduated and have been working on the job?

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