Are you a recent high school graduate contemplating college but unsure of what you want to major in? Do you enjoy design, science, mathematics, and construction? Is finding solutions to problems your hobby? If a “yes” rang through your head at each of these questions, civil engineering might be one field you are suited to. What exactly does it mean to be a civil engineer though?
What Is a Civil Engineer?
Civil engineering is one of the earliest forms of engineering, arising from when humans began to carve out permanent homes and cities out of the environment. Remnants of civilizations like the Roman Empire, ancient Chinese dynasties, the ruined Aztec and Mayan civilizations and ancient Egypt showcase feats of civil engineering dating back centuries. Civil engineers generally specialize in construction projects. They often help design, develop and oversee the construction of public works like bridges, roads, buildings, sewage systems and other infrastructure projects.
What Else Does a Civil Engineer Do?
Civil engineering firms Northern Virginia do more than design bridges and buildings. The field is a versatile one, allowing those who enter it to work in the aerospace, automotive, energy, ship building, public health, geotechnical, environmental, urban planning and transportation industries, among others. Civil engineers may be consultants, managers or contractors. They can design, test and/or maintain. They may work off-site or on-site. They may not be able to do anything they want, but they are certainly not limited to a narrow selection of job choices.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Civil Engineer?
Besides being a satisfying, challenging career with the opportunity to benefit society as a whole, civil engineering comes with other advantages that make it a good career choice. One is relative job security. Because it is so broad, and because society requires near-constant construction/maintenance, there are many jobs available for civil engineers. It also pays well.
Civil engineering is considerably more complex than what is presented here, but this brief overview covers the basics. It is not for everyone, but it is a decent, stable option.
