Civil Engineering, Career and Education

Civil engineering is a subfield of engineering that is concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical but also naturally built environment. The work involved in this discipline includes, but it is not limited to, building and maintaining bridges, roads, canals, buildings and dams. The discipline is the oldest, after the military engineering, in the field and it has evolved as distinctive branch from military engineering. Those interested in becoming civil engineers may choose to specialize in environmental engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, municipal engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, coastal engineering and construction engineering, among others.

Individuals who are willing to pursue a career in the branch need an academic degree with a major in civil engineering. The bachelor in engineering takes three years in length in most countries around the world, and in the United States. However, it may vary and it may take up to five years depending on the specialization. In some countries, the program offering expertise in this field is designed as a bachelor of science and not one of engineering. The courses that students follow generally include physics, mathematics, design, project management and different other topics that are related to the field. At the beginning of most programs, the students are given courses that cover totally or partially the sub disciplines in civil engineering and students choose later on a specific area (or more) on which they want to specialize.

In most countries around the world, a bachelor in engineering is enough for one to get professional certification as long as they gather sufficient work experience and pass different types of exams. At this point, one is classified as a Professional Engineer (in the US) or European Engineer (in Europe). Those who become certified usually start working in a position with a low degree of experience and they work their way up in the same organization by gathering the experience they need to be more trusted in their work.