by Jamil Santos, World Executives Digest |
All those interested in studying civil engineering and pursuing a career in this field should know that it is, without any doubt, one of the most demanding and challenging fields. With so many options available, it can also be overwhelming for some to choose their specific field of interest, which would provide both professional satisfaction and sufficient income.
In order to be able to choose wisely, one needs to know what options are available and what each of them entails. Since civil engineering deals with everything that leads to designing, construction and maintenance of the physical and natural environment, it’s quite likely that everyone can find the right career path.
What types of engineering are there?
Those interested in materials, such as concrete, heavy metals, steel, etc. will probably choose material science engineering, while coastal engineering will be of interest to future experts in protecting land from flooding and erosion. There’s also construction engineering, which deals with planning, transportation of materials and development of sites based on hydraulic, environmental and increasingly popular geotechnical engineering.
This last field encompasses soil and material sciences, mechanics and hydraulics, which are all necessary when designing retaining walls, foundations and other structures and it’s one of the fastest growing branches of civil engineering.
What are basic requirements for a top-level salary?
Needless to say, you definitely need to have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, which means you have mastered mathematics and related sciences. Also, since most countries require a special licensure exam after some period of practice if you are to be allowed to work as a civil engineer, you’ll have at least some experience. Holding a master’s degree or having a PhD in a particular sub-field is not necessarily a requirement, but it surely helps a lot when looking for a fulfilling and well-paid job.
Engineering project managers
As an engineering project manager, you’d be responsible for planning and organizing of projects, drafting proposals, keeping financial records and creating strategies that would ensure that the projects are in complete compliance with the relevant safety regulations.
An engineering project manager is in charge of providing support for all other divisions, which is why this person needs to have extensive knowledge of various aspects of civil engineering. Also, this person must have great interpersonal and managerial skills, particularly when it comes to human resources and time management. Finally, a project manager needs to be capable of working under very little supervision, which suggests that they need to be able to think on their feet.
In return, successful engineering project managers are likely to make around $100,000 or even as much as double the figure in special situations, but only if they have excellent skills or proven record of successful projects.
Senior civil engineer
A senior civil engineer is primarily concerned with reviewing and approving residential, commercial and industrial projects. This expert is also in charge of ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and they also have an important say in selecting contractors and evaluating their work.
The requirements for this position include at least six years of experience in surveying, engineering design and inspection, while the salary usually ranges between $80,000 and $130,000, although in special cases it can go even further up.
Engineering managers
An engineering manager in involved in project design, making detailed plans and directing the integration of technical activities. They need to be knowledgeable in technology, resources needed and available, as well as market demands.
As an engineering manager, you’d be responsible for planning and supervising the installation, testing and maintenance of facilities and equipment, reviewing and approving product designs, preparing budgets, bids and contracts. For all that, you’d be rewarded with a salary usually ranging between $80,000 and $100,000.
Final thoughts
As you can see, it’s possible to find a challenging and well-paid job in civil engineering, but there are some quite strict requirements and demanding responsibilities involved. If you’re determined to pursue a career in this field, just make sure you’re well aware of the market demand and current conditions offered to different types of civil engineers.
