ADD ADVICE TO FAVCivil engineering
Our society would not function without the work of civil engineers. Every morning we might turn on the tap, boil a kettle, use the bathroom, walk along a road, cross a bridge or take a train. A career in civil engineering puts you at the heart of the world’s infrastructure.
If you’ve ever wondered what civil engineering is, take a look at this inspiring definition put together by the members of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE):
’A great art, on which the wealth and well-being of the whole of society depends. Its essential feature, as distinct from science and the arts, is the exercise of imagination to fashion the products, processes and people needed to create a sustainable physical and natural built environment. It requires a broad understanding of scientific principles, knowledge of materials and the art of analysis and synthesis. It also requires research, teamworking, leadership and business skills.’
Interesting, is it not, that the first part of that definition is ’art’ and not ’science’? Testament to the immense breadth of skills required for the sector, far beyond pure engineering techniques, important though they clearly are. Graduates with a combination of imagination and flair, and technical skills will go far.
Skills for civil engineers
Civil engineers – sometimes called ’geospatial engineers’ – need a wide range of skills and attributes, as they work not only on the creative project, but also within a team of professionals from architects to accountants.
Skills needed include report writing, a good knowledge of contract law and accountancy, problem-solving ability and the ability to manage resources and people.
Graduate civil engineering opportunities
Civil engineering offers a wealth of roles. According to Antony Oliver, editor of New Civil Engineering magazine, the opportunities are almost endless.
Quoted in the foreword to the excellent career guide to graduates How to Get a Job in Civil Engineering, he outlines the scope of projects which need quality, qualified civil engineers. ’Civil engineering and the built environment is booming right now in the UK,’ he says. ’Whether you want to help prepare London for the 2012 Olympics, continue the rebirth of the railways, revamp the nation’s aged water infrastructure, tackle the growing energy supply and waste management problems, or create a new sustainable environment for the next generation, there’s a career for you.’
Graduate job descriptions in civil engineering
Where can civil engineers work?
You could work for contractors in the UK and abroad, local authorities, central government or private clients.
Many engineers take the opportunity to travel to places like the Indian sub-continent, South America and regions in Africa. They often work on civil engineering projects that can transform people’s lives. Even if you are working for a UK-based company you may be sent overseas to work on individual projects.
Professional bodies for civil engineers
The Institution of Civil Engineers is a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. It has almost 80,000 members in 145 countries, some 10,153 of whom are student members.
