Civil engineers work to solve a wide variety of problems associated with the infrastructure and the daily service needs of society — needs like clean water, safe buildings, and convenient transportation. It’s such a diverse field, there’s no way to know exactly what you will end up doing as a civil engineer. So let’s start with what interests you and see how you might be able to pursue those interests through a career in civil engineering:
- Interested in building big? Civil engineers design and supervise construction of skyscrapers, dams, stadiums, airports, highways, and bridges. They ensure that these structures can withstand the forces exerted upon them.
- Fascinated by failure? Civil engineers analyze the causes of structural failures in order to improve structural codes and construction techniques. They look for ways to monitor cracking, corrosion, and other signs of deterioration.
- Dig dirt? Geotechnical engineers specialize in earth structures and foundations. They make sure that tunnels and other structures below ground are safely excavated.
- Wonder about water? Water resource engineers plan and design water delivery systems. They ensure that municipal water supplies are safe to drink.
- Care about the environment? Environmental engineers help keep our environment clean by dealing with society’s by-products, from hazardous waste remediation to landfill design and wastewater treatment.
- Tired of traffic jams? From high-speed railroads to computer-controlled traffic systems, transportation engineers devise ways to make our transportation systems more efficient.
- Feel the pull of the sea? Some civil engineers specialize in the interaction of waves and currents with nearshore and offshore structures.
- Drawn to disaster? One of the most crucial jobs civil engineers do is to protect people from disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and high winds by designing structures that can withstand these forces.
- What about building materials? Civil engineers are exploring ways to use advanced composite materials and new high-performance steel and concrete to reinforce deteriorating structures and build longer-lasting new ones.
In the face of decaying cities, clogged roadways, urban sprawl, and widespread pollution, civil engineers are being called upon to design solutions that are workable and cost-effective for our society. They are therefore often drawn to related areas of business, law, architecture, and urban planning. But whatever their specialty, civil engineers can rest assured that their work directly affects the quality of life for millions of people.
