The civil engineering profession is all about creating, improving and protecting the environment in which we live. Without civil engineers, our society would not function.

Civil engineering attracts a broad range of graduates because it offers so much as a profession and draws on a whole range of artistic and scientific talents.

What does civil engineering involve?

You could be involved in seeing a project through from design stage to construction and completion. Possible projects might include the development and construction of bridges, tunnels, roads, railways, dams, pipelines and major buildings.

At times, you might be in the office undertaking computer-aided design work, or ensuring the client is kept up to date. On other occasions, you might take on a more hands-on role, working on site, leading teams and solving problems.

Civil engineering requires the use of maths and science, but people with imagination and vision are also in demand.

Civil engineers have to be able to translate numbers and drawings into reality. In general, the role you have on a project depends on the type of organisation you are employed by and what area of civil engineering you work in.

Civil engineering graduate career areas

Careers in civil engineering encompass many different areas. Here are some examples of the areas in which you could work, what’s involved, who you could work for, and the skills you’ll need.

Coastal and marine
All aspects of coastline development are considered, including protection against tidal flooding and erosion, waterfront and marina developments, dredging and the environmental impacts of this work.

There are opportunities for engineering and environmental graduates with the Environment Agency, local authorities, and specialist consultancies and contractors.

Environmental
Civil engineering in the environmental sector covers many different areas, including those that deal with flood defence, waste management and contaminated land. Engineers in these fields attempt to minimise the effect of human activity on the environment.

Graduates are likely to work with professionals from other disciplines, such as geologists and chemists.

Facilities management
Facilities managers help to create a safe and efficient working environment by assessing the impact of surroundings upon people and the workplace.

Most graduates will need to undertake further vocational training (the British Institute of Facilities Management exams) to gain the required knowledge of building design, safety legislation and environmental issues.

Highways
The roles undertaken by contractors, consultants and client are increasingly becoming blurred, because the road network is now managed through teamwork and partnerships.

The emphasis in this area is on integrated traffic management and ensuring sustainability. Graduates will need project management, planning and IT skills.

Power
Power engineering covers a wide range of projects from wind farms to hydro-electric, oil or coal-fired power stations. Every country uses energy so opportunities exist all over the world.

This is a specialised area, so further training is needed, although graduates may have the opportunity to gain experience in large firms within a power engineering division.

Risk management
Risk managers assess the possibility of injury, loss, disadvantage or destruction. This usually takes place during the planning stage of a project. Graduates wishing to enter this sector should have some experience of statistics and probability tools.

Water and public health
This involves the crucial task of providing clean drinking water to the public. Graduates working in these areas usually divide their time between the design / management office and the site.

Civil engineering opportunities abroad

There are varied challenges to be found in the developing world, where large sections of the population lack clean water, sustainable energy and waste disposal.

Many young people take the opportunity to travel to the Indian sub-continent, South America and regions in Africa. They often work on civil engineering projects that can transform people’s lives. Civil engineers are needed after earthquakes, during droughts and at times of war, to help the local population rebuild or maintain the conditions that will keep them alive.

If you have a real sense of adventure and a commitment to help those in need, you could join RedR, an organisation that sends volunteers to disaster areas all over the world.

Professional qualifications

An important stage in a civil engineer’s career is the achievement of a professional qualification. This is recognised as a benchmark of quality and defines you as a professional capable of practising in most countries around the world. Organisations within the industry will support, encourage and offer rewards for you to achieve the qualification.

There are three main types of professional qualification awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). These can be identified by letters after a person’s name.

• Qualifying as a Technician Member entitles you to use the letters TMICE and may entitle you to be registered with the Engineering Council, adding the letters EngTech.
• Associate Membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (AMICE) is open to a wide range of people who are engaged in a profession that directly supports or is closely allied with, the work of a civil engineer operating in the built environment.
• Qualifying as a Member entitles you to use the letters MICE. Membership can be awarded at one of two levels; the second level entitles the member to use the title of Chartered Civil Engineer.

Find out more

The engineering section of this website has plenty more information about civil engineering, structural engineering and other engineering and manufacturing areas. It also contains job profiles for these careers.

Alternatively, take a look at graduate-job profiles within the construction, building and planning sector.