Just look around you! If you are in a city, perhaps you see elaborate bridges or tunnels. If you are in the country, do you often travel the highways to get from one place to another? Of course, you do; however, like everyone else, you probably take these luxuries for granted. While using them, consider the skills and knowledge put forth to design them, as well as, implement their construction. You can thank a civil engineer for their hard work in making our daily lives much easier by providing us with these conveniences.
A civil engineer has a multitude of job descriptions, along with, the enormous responsibility of keeping us out of danger while traveling our transportation systems. Our infrastructure is what keeps daily commuters safe and keeps us on time to school or work, and to other daily commitments.
The field of engineering covers a wide array of career choices; however, a concentration in civil engineering is one of the most popular tracks among high school students choosing a college major. With a job growth projection rate of 9% between 2016 and 2026, the area of civil engineering is growing; therefore, job outlooks for college graduates are positive, and a lucrative living can be made. With an online Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree, you’ll be prepared for the important tasks set before you.
What exactly does a civil engineer do? Civil engineering focuses primarily on the infrastructures of our communities. They plan and design bridges, highways, and tunnels, as well as, utility systems, such as water and waste systems and power plants. They oversee the development and construction of commercial buildings used by the public, subway transportation, in addition to, land development projects, irrigation systems, dams, and levees. They also focus on the construction of airports, bus terminals, harbors, and our railway systems.
Civil engineers are not concerned so much with building things “pretty” as much as they are focused on the stability and strength of their creations. Their designs must prove to stand the test of time, through extreme weather conditions and high winds. They must also consider the expected population growth for the area, as well as, the possibility of natural disasters, such as tornadoes, a tsunami or an earthquake.
Typically, there are several types of civil engineering fields to consider; however, within each specialization, there are also two roles an engineer can play, such as a consultant or as the contractor. As a consultant, you will focus on design work and will work closely with clients, alongside construction management. However, if you choose to be a contractor, you will work on-site overseeing projects that the consultant has designed.
Do you have the personality to become a civil engineer? In this critical field, you must be a visionary, as you design and create structures while tapping into your creative side. You must be a critical thinker, a problem-solver, and most importantly, a team player. You’ll need exceptional communication and management skills in this career choice, too. Civil engineers must be innovative yet logical thinkers, and be committed to uniquely serving the public.
If you are inquisitive about this field, please see our discoveries for the Best Online Schools for Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree Programs.