If you are considering being a civil engineer and you need more information about this profession, keep reading. Basically, the role of these professionals is to plan, design and oversee the construction of building structures that include airports, roads, bridges, dams, railways, water and sewage systems, irrigation projects and power plants. Apart from construction, they also oversee the maintenance of the building structures. It is also the job of this expert to design and construct tall buildings and other large structures. They have to make sure that the structures last long and that they are able to withstand even the harshest weather conditions.
As a civil engineer, you have two options. You can be a consulting engineer whose job will be giving advice on construction projects; the planning, designing and overseeing processes. Alternatively, you can be a contracting engineer and your job description will involve turning those plans and designs into reality, as well as maintaining the built structures.
A civil engineer normally does the following:
• Carry out technical and practicability studies such as site investigations
• Carry out difficult and repetitive calculations
• Use computer packages to create detailed designs
• Examine survey reports, long range plans, maps and other forms of data before they plan projects
• When planning the various stages of projects, as well as the risk analysis, the engineer takes into account factors such as government regulations, constructions costs and environmental hazards, just to mention a few
• Carry out or oversee soil testing for the purpose of determining the strength and tolerability of foundations
• In order to prove that the projects are in line with various regulations, the engineer has to submit permit applications to federal, local and state agencies
• Liaise with the clients, as well as other experts such as subcontractors and architects
• Fix design and development issues
• Schedule the purchase and delivery of materials and various equipment
• Test building materials like steel and concrete used in the projects
• Make use of design software in order to design structures, hydraulic systems and transportation systems in accordance with government and industry standards
• Implement or manage surveying operations so as to determine reference points, elevations and grades to guide construction
• Make certain that safe work practices are followed during construction
If you become a civil engineer, you will most likely be employed by government departments, railway companies, local authorities, engineering contractors or consultants, as well as water, electricity and gas companies. You can also opt for self-employment, but this is usually plausible after you have acquired several years of experience.
If you are planning on becoming a civil engineer, there are certain key skills that you must have. For instance, you should have excellent technical and mathematical skills and you should be someone who thinks methodically if you are to plan, design and oversee projects. You should also be able to manage entire projects while at the same time attending to detailed technicalities. Good written and verbal communication skills are also essential. It is also crucial that you have good supervisory, leadership and negotiating qualities. We have covered most of the important information in this article, but you can get additional information here.
A civil engineer normally does the following:
• Carry out technical and practicability studies such as site investigations
• Carry out difficult and repetitive calculations
• Use computer packages to create detailed designs
• Examine survey reports, long range plans, maps and other forms of data before they plan projects
• When planning the various stages of projects, as well as the risk analysis, the engineer takes into account factors such as government regulations, constructions costs and environmental hazards, just to mention a few
• Carry out or oversee soil testing for the purpose of determining the strength and tolerability of foundations
• In order to prove that the projects are in line with various regulations, the engineer has to submit permit applications to federal, local and state agencies
• Liaise with the clients, as well as other experts such as subcontractors and architects
• Fix design and development issues
• Schedule the purchase and delivery of materials and various equipment
• Test building materials like steel and concrete used in the projects
• Make use of design software in order to design structures, hydraulic systems and transportation systems in accordance with government and industry standards
• Implement or manage surveying operations so as to determine reference points, elevations and grades to guide construction
• Make certain that safe work practices are followed during construction
If you are planning on becoming a civil engineer, there are certain key skills that you must have. For instance, you should have excellent technical and mathematical skills and you should be someone who thinks methodically if you are to plan, design and oversee projects. You should also be able to manage entire projects while at the same time attending to detailed technicalities. Good written and verbal communication skills are also essential. It is also crucial that you have good supervisory, leadership and negotiating qualities. We have covered most of the important information in this article, but you can get additional information here.