Civil Engineering

(including construction engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, and transportation/materials engineering)

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of buildings and infrastructure that make up our world: roads, bridges, dams, skyscrapers, railroads, public transportation systems, water treatment facilities, and other public utilities. These creative problem solvers are meeting the challenges of pollution, clean drinking water, sustainable energy and infrastructure, and transportation needs for cities around the world. Their skills and expertise are also valued in fields like finance, medicine, law, education, and other areas that rely on high level analytical, technical, and social skills.

As a civil engineer, you could help build a school that could withstand a tornado or earthquake, a well-designed road system that minimizes traffic congestion during rush hour, or the next great sports stadium. You could also evaluate the soils, ground water, and other environmental conditions that impact construction projects. Civil engineers have made possible some of the most spectacular engineering feats in history. These feats include marvels like the world’s tallest building, the 2,684-foot-tall Burj Dubai tower in Asia, the elegant Millau Viaduct in France, that at 1.5 mi long and 1,125 ft tall is the both the tallest and the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and the Kansai airport, an international airport located on an artificial island near Osaka, Japan that handles over 1,200 landings and takeoffs each week.

Possible Career Paths and Specializations

Civil Engineer
Civil Engineering Technician
Construction Manager
Environmental Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Structural Engineer
Transportation Engineer
Water Resources Engineer
Pre-Med and Environmental Opportunities
Drafter
Surveyor

Civil Engineering

Possible Career Paths and Specializations

Related civil engineering links