Civil Engineers can work in a wide variety of subsidiary fields of engineering such as hydraulic, environmental, structural, sanitation and construction engineering. Working in these various sectors he or she could be responsible for designing a variety of structures such as sewage systems, harbor and water flow systems as well as highways, tunnels, bridges and other transportation related systems. Most choose to specialize in one sector of engineering in order to be successfully versed in all the aspects of that particular division.
Key Responsibilities
As mentioned, there is great variation in the roles and divisions of civil engineers and therefore key responsibilities of the position vary greatly as well. However, they are generally responsible for designing and planning systems to benefit the populace of their working area. Some civil engineers work solely in the planning and developing sector of engineering while others also oversee the construction of such designed plans.
Level of Education Required
In order to become a civil engineer one must be proficient in the fields of mathematics as well as physical sciences. Knowledge in logical thinking and the ability to communicate well with others are also necessary requirements. One must typically hold a bachelor degree from a four-year institution in civil engineering. Specialized knowledge in such fields as stress analysis and thermodynamics as well as other areas of social science may also be required. On-site field training is also required and graduates in civil engineering from accredited institutions must typically gain four to five years of work experience before they can find employment as a civil engineer. Some areas further require that civil engineers hold a state license in civil engineering that can be obtained by passing a licensing examination.
Career Path
Once the initial years of obtaining education and experience working in the field have been acquired, there are many ways a he or she can advance within the field. Most large companies employ civil engineers at many levels within the hierarchy of the enterprise. They may employ a junior, assistant and associate engineer in various departments creating many opportunities to advance within a single enterprise. Furthermore, civil engineers can work to become increasingly specialized within their specific field of engineering and the more specializations one has the more valuable they are to an employer. The average salary is around $75,000 per year, but can be as high as $115,000 per year.
