Additional Information
Civil engineering is a rewarding but also very responsible field. Mistakes
could cost lives and millions of dollars. Because of the risks, there is strict
protocol regarding education, training and licensing.
If you're still in high school, math, English and physics are essential.
Without these courses, you'll have to take a year of prerequisites at college
before you can be accepted into a civil engineering program.
Your next step is to get a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. This
takes four or five years. This degree used to be a ticket to the top in an
engineering career, but employers are increasingly looking for candidates
with at least a master's degree.
"There are four-year bachelor's degrees and lots of people go and do that,
but if you really want to specialize and advance in your area of expertise,
I would say a master's would probably be a good idea," says civil engineer
Vic Perry.
Tina Adams, however, doesn't notice master's degrees becoming more common
in her area. She's a civil engineer based in Oregon, specializing in transportation
and infrastructure projects.
"I think they're more common [with] structural engineers or more specialized
engineering," says Adams. "For the large part, I see recent college grads
(with bachelor's degrees) able to get jobs fairly easily, as long as they're
proficient in the computer skills that they have to learn, because most civil
engineers start off doing some type of drafting."
Co-op programs are highly recommended by people in this field. Co-op programs
require students to complete on-the-job work placements while getting their
degree. This is a great opportunity for work experience and networking.
"It helps you to understand where your passions and interests are within
the discipline of engineering," says Perry. "I think the hands-on experience
through the education process is important."
Some areas require students to pass an engineering ethics exam before
being certified.