How to Become a Civil Engineer

A civil engineer implements the establishment of structures and systems. They work with a variety of different professionals in the construction industry to ensure that their construction is built to design in a safe, efficient, and resourceful way.

A civil engineer works with architects and other employees in the construction industry to execute the assembly of various structures, transport systems, and waste systems.

A civil engineer can work on anything from buildings to bridges to water supplies, and they can focus on the consulting side (which revolves more around design) or the contracting side (which is more focused on the actual building). Many people specialise in one area of civil engineering, but most civil engineers work on a range of projects throughout their career.

Due to this, a civil engineer’s typical duties can be varied. However, they often include: 

• Reviewing designs made by architects.
• Carrying out site investigations to ensure that they are suitable and safe for work.
• Supervising on-site work.
• Finding solutions to problems, both before the construction begins and during the time that it is taking place. 
• Acquiring necessary permits for building. 
• Office tasks, such as writing reports and managing juniors.

There are a few different steps to becoming a civil engineer. The typical route is academic, with candidates taking secondary qualifications in Mathematics and Physics, studying civil engineering at tertiary level, and then typically undertaking a graduate programme. Many degrees will also include a year in industry. 

However, for those wondering how to become a civil engineer without a degree, it is possible to get into this field vocationally. One would do so by taking a BTEC and completing apprenticeships. It would also be beneficial to do some extra courses and have a strong portfolio of work experience. Most countries have their own civil engineering accreditations that must be achieved before reaching more prestigious and higher paid positions.

 A civil engineer must have strong leadership and communication skills, as they will be expected to collaborate with many different professionals. They should also have exceptional numeracy and IT skills, which will be developed through their civil engineering education.

The wages for civil engineering vary greatly depending on the type of project, employer, location and experience. However, most senior civil engineers enjoy a generous wage, which increases as they get more and more experience.