By Anna Khan
Civil engineering is a challenging, rewarding, and growing career. It focuses on designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, and water supply systems. As a civil engineer, you could work on projects that help communities thrive, such as designing sustainable buildings, developing transportation systems, or creating water treatment facilities.
To become a civil engineer, you will need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field. You may also need a professional engineering (PE) license to work on certain projects. As with many aspirations, it is always valuable to receive as much education as possible and to continue to learn from either a school or from experience throughout your professional career.
Civil engineers work in various settings, including offices, construction sites, and laboratories. They may also work outdoors, conducting site inspections or overseeing construction projects. Some specific tasks you could be responsible for include creating project plans, calculating costs and timelines, and ensuring that construction projects are up to code and meet safety regulations.
In terms of salary, civil engineers can earn a median salary of around $88,000 per year in the United States. The field is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with a projected 7% increase in job opportunities from 2021 to 2031.
For High School students who are interested in becoming civil engineers, it is recommended to take math and science courses. It should also be noted that there are several artistic elements to civil engineering, and therefore nurturing creativity in high school will also be important. Civil engineering demands an innovative approach to designing structures that are both practical and visually appealing. Civil engineers must have strong critical thinking skills to consider factors such as materials, environment, and community needs to create safe and sustainable designs.
Works Cited
Jacobsen, Allen. “Civil Engineers: The Science of the Art of Construction | Schmidt Assoc.”
Schmidt Associates, 28 May 2019, schmidt-arch.com/civil-engineers-science-art-
construction/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2023.
U.S. News. “How Much Can a Civil Engineer Expect to Get Paid?” Usnews.com, 2017,
money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/civil-engineer/salary.
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