Do you like to create and build structures? Do you enjoy designing a project and seeing it through until the end? When you ride over a bridge, do you find yourself wondering how it was built? You might enjoy being a Civil Engineer. These professionals build, design, and maintain buildings, highways, roads, power plants, sewage systems, and other types of structures. Civil Engineers help protect cities from floods, create new types of buildings for survivors of disasters, and get safe water and sanitation to people in remote places.
Career Preparation:
In high school, make sure your course schedule includes as many math, engineering, science and design classes as possible. It is important to take math classes every year. It is also important to be a good communicator, so work hard in those English and Communication classes too! If you are interested in becoming a Civil Engineer, than you will need to major in Civil Engineering in college because you will be expected to have earned at least Bachelor's degree in the Civil Engineering field.
College Options:
Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. This program allows students to specialize in areas such as transportation or structural engineering. George Mason University (GMU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. At GMU, you can take engineering classes related to traffic, wastewater, concrete, soil and many other topics.
Career Possibilities:
Civil engineers can work for architectural or engineering firms, for the government or in construction.
Want to know more? Check out these cool resources:
Read this interview to learn more about what Civil Engineers do.
Check these awesome engineering designs.
Read more about modern and ancient civil engineering achievements.
Watch these interesting videos about Civil Engineering
*This video profiles Ken Maschke, a Civil Engineer in Chicago, who talks about his work on buildings and stadiums all over the world. He also discusses civil engineering in historical buildings, if you’re wondering how you can combine history with engineering.
*Would you want to drive over a bridge that “gallops”? Check out the amazing engineering on this website.
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