How to Be Civil Engineers - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 5, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Cause: Civil engineers are responsible for designing and constructing the infrastructure of cities and towns. Effect: This can include roads, bridges, dams, water systems, and other large-scale projects. As a result, these projects can have a large impact on the economy of a city or town, providing jobs and improving services like transportation and water supply. Moreover, civil engineers also play an important role in developing sustainable infrastructure to help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a civil engineer is obtaining a bachelors degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university. Most bachelors degrees take four years to complete, but some universities offer accelerated programs that can be completed in three years.
Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. In order to practice as a professional civil engineer, you must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and is typically taken after completion of the four-year civil engineering program.
Participate in an Internship Program. Most states require engineers-in-training to complete an internship program, which can last up to two years. This program allows aspiring civil engineers to gain practical experience and insights into the profession.
Pass the Professional Engineer Exam. After completing the internship program, you must pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam in order to receive your license as a professional civil engineer. This exam is also administered by the NCEES and tests your knowledge in specific areas of civil engineering, such as structural engineering, water resources engineering, and transportation engineering.
Obtain a Professional License. Once you have passed the PE Exam, you must apply for and obtain a state-issued professional engineer license. This license allows you to work as a professional civil engineer and signifies that you have met the educational and technical requirements for the profession.

The cause of many unsuitable and unsafe civil engineering projects is the lack of qualified and experienced engineers. Poorly designed and constructed projects can lead to increased risks of failure, resulting in financial losses, environmental damage, and potential loss of life. To avoid these outcomes, engineers must have the right qualifications, be familiar with relevant codes of practice, and possess the necessary experience to correctly assess risks and design safe and effective solutions. Proper training and experience are essential in order to ensure that civil engineering projects are ideal and qualified.

You may want to check Reliability Engineer, Tooling Engineer, and Acoustical Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Structural Engineer
Civil Engineer
Site Engineer
Construction Engineer
Project Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Roadway Engineer
Traffic Engineer
Water Resources Engineer
Environmental Engineer

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of principles of engineering, construction, and mathematics
Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and design standards
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and maps
Ability to assess project costs and develop budgets
Ability to utilize computer aided design (CAD) software
Knowledge of surveying techniques
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Proficiency in problem solving and decision making
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and in teams
Ability to lead, manage, and mentor staff
Strong organizational and time management skills
Knowledge of construction materials and procedures
Ability to work in a variety of environments

Civil engineering is a profession that requires a diverse set of skills to design, construct and maintain infrastructure projects. The most important skill for a civil engineer is the ability to think critically and solve problems. A civil engineer must be able to identify the cause and effect of a problem and develop solutions that are both safe and cost-effective.

They must also be able to effectively communicate their ideas both verbally and in written form. civil engineers must possess a good understanding of mathematics, physics, and other sciences to be able to accurately calculate the magnitude of forces and stress on structures. Finally, a civil engineer must be able to work cooperatively with teams of people from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines in order to develop successful projects.

In summary, having strong problem solving, communication, and technical skills are the most important skills a civil engineer can possess.

Test/QA Engineer, Design Engineer, and Security Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in civil engineering, and what projects have you worked on?
What do you think are the most important skills for a civil engineer?
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing civil engineering today?
How would you describe your approach to problem-solving?
How do you manage a project from start to finish?
Describe a successful project you have managed from beginning to end.
What techniques have you used to ensure a project is completed on time and on budget?
How do you stay current on industry trends and changes in regulations?
How do you handle working with multiple stakeholders on a project?
Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge on a project, and how did you handle it?

Common Tools in Industry

AutoCAD. Computer-aided design software used to create 2D and 3D drawings, (eg: designing bridges).
Survey Equipment. Instruments used for measuring land and structures, (eg: topographic surveys).
Structural Analysis Software. Programs that model and calculate the stress and load that a structure can withstand, (eg: analyzing the load-bearing capacity of a bridge).
Project Management Software. Programs used to manage and track project milestones, resources, and costs, (eg: keeping track of construction costs of a building).
Cost Estimation Software. Programs used to estimate the cost of a project based on its scope of work and materials, (eg: estimating the cost of building a highway).
GIS Software. Geographic information system software used for mapping and analyzing spatial data, (eg: analyzing traffic patterns on a highway).
Hydraulic Engineering Software. Programs used to model and analyze water flow in pipes and channels, (eg: analyzing the water flow in a drainage system).
Construction Scheduling Software. Programs used to plan, schedule, and monitor all aspects of a construction project, (eg: scheduling the construction of a bridge).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
American Public Works Association (APWA)
American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE)
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)
International Road Federation (IRF)
International Water Resources Association (IWRA)

We also have Aerospace Engineers, Geotechnical Engineer, and Research Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Structural Engineering. A branch of civil engineering concerned with the design and construction of large structures such as bridges, dams, and buildings.
Geotechnical Engineering. The branch of civil engineering concerned with the study of soil and rock, its properties, and how it affects the construction of structures.
Hydraulics. The study of the properties of liquids and their behavior under pressure in various applications such as irrigation, water supply systems, and flood control.
Transportation Engineering. The branch of civil engineering concerned with the planning and design of roads, highways, airports, harbors, and mass transit systems.
Surveying. The science and art of determining the physical features of land, including its boundaries, topography, elevation, and other characteristics.
Construction Management. The practice of managing the planning, design, and construction of projects such as buildings, bridges, and roads.
Environmental Engineering. The branch of civil engineering that deals with the protection of human and natural environments from pollution and other hazards.
Urban Planning. The practice of designing cities, towns, and other settlements to promote economic growth and improve quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Civil Engineering? A1: Civil Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of structures and infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and water systems. Q2: What kind of degree do you need to become a Civil Engineer? A2: To become a Civil Engineer, typically a four-year bachelor's degree in civil engineering is required. Q3: What are some of the tasks that Civil Engineers perform? A3: Civil Engineers typically perform tasks such as planning, designing, and overseeing construction projects, inspecting construction sites, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Q4: What type of salary can a Civil Engineer expect? A4: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Civil Engineers in 2019 was $87,060 per year. Q5: What are some of the benefits of a career in Civil Engineering? A5: Civil Engineering provides the opportunity to work on projects that make a real difference in people's lives and to help build a better future. Additionally, it is a profession that is in high demand and offers the potential for career advancement and financial security.