Civil engineering is a discipline that covers the planning, designing, and building of human-made environments such as buildings, roads, canals, and bridges. A civil engineering degree includes courses on mathematics and physics, along with material science, economics, and design. These skills are essential for civil engineers as these professionals focus on large scale construction projects.
Pursuing a civil engineering degree might seem demanding, but this is a degree that opens a lot of career opportunities. The diversity of a civil engineering degree makes it very easy for you to qualify for a job and eventually build a career in a specific industry. This is especially true if you choose to take an online master’s degree apt for your civil engineering degree.
A civil engineering degree allows you to get into these jobs:
- Construction Manager
A lot of things happen in construction projects. Different people are assigned to prepare the construction site, oversee the loading and unloading of materials, keep an eye on the inventory of the construction tools, and remove debris and garbage from the site.
Construction managers act as bosses of every construction site, who are responsible for managing all of the people involved in the construction. Construction managers keep track of the progress of the project and ensure that each individual fulfills their roles.
A civil engineering degree is necessary to work as a construction manager. Aside from this educational background, extensive knowledge on time and people management, construction material costs, and experience in different areas of construction are required.
- Environmental Engineer
The earth’s natural resources are vital for human beings. It’ll be challenging to live safely and comfortably if these natural resources are damaged or scarce. Fortunately, environmental engineers can prevent this problem.
Environmental engineers provide professional services by developing solutions to some of the world’s most common environmental problems. With their background in civil engineering, biology, chemistry, and soil science, environmental engineers are involved in improving waste disposal, recycling efforts, and air pollution control.
Environmental engineers start their projects by conducting hazardous waste management studies. This process aims to evaluate the severity of a particular hazard, so environmental engineers can come up with permanent solutions to contain and treat the hazard.
- Geotechnical Engineer
Several factors have to be considered before building any kind of infrastructure. Aside from the space, a site investigation is necessary to determine the stability of the ground’s surface. Failure to accomplish this task before starting any construction project can lead to additional expenses and fatal injuries.
This is the reason why geotechnical engineers play an essential role in every construction site. Along with their background in civil engineering, geotechnical engineers are skilled and trained to drill wells, examine groundwater flow, and transport different petroleum products.
Geotechnical engineers also work by maintaining the earth’s physical environment once a construction project begins. Their expertise is vital to identify the present and future stability of any construction site. This is especially important for infrastructures with plans of vertical expansion in the future.
- Public Health Engineer
A commercial or residential building won’t serve its purpose if all of its occupants often get sick or injured. These situations can cause a lot of stress and expenses to the home or business owner.
A public health engineer can reduce the likelihood of these situations from happening. Public health engineers are responsible for designing systems and tools that can prevent sickness and injuries in a specific city or country. These engineers usually work with local government agencies.
Generally, public health engineers inspect public sewage systems, water supplies, public swimming pools, and the water quality controls of hospitality businesses such as hotels and restaurants.
Some public health engineers also inspect the general sanitation and water pollution control of business establishments operating in a specific area.
- Transportation Engineer
Public transportation is important because it reduces air pollution, reduces traffic congestion, and increases mobility. Public transportation also encourages healthier habits because a commuter is required to walk to and from their transit stops.
Public transportation doesn’t “just” happen; only a trained and experienced professional can create effective and safe public transportation systems. This is why transportation engineers are in demand in thriving cities and countries.
The duties of transportation engineers include preparing budgets for labor or materials and supervising the maintenance inspections and repairs of public transportation systems. They also function by investigating traffic problems and coming up with solutions that improve traffic flow without compromising the safety of the commuters.
You’ll Reap What You Sow
Completing a civil engineering degree is challenging, but it’s not impossible. As long as you know how to take good notes, ask a lot of questions, and hone your communication skills, you can effectively make the most out of your degree and eventually excel from it!