About Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest disciplines in engineering. Nearly all modern large-scale infrastructure has been constructed with the aid of civil engineers. Civil engineers design and construct infrastructure using their insight to solve problems that inevitably arise during such large projects.  

　　Civil Engineering combines planning and designing with hands-on project management. This blend of intense theoretical acumen paired with dexterity in fieldwork is what sets Civil Engineering apart from other disciplines. Students of Civil Engineering must have a fair understanding of mathematics and physics because core courses include topics such as soil mechanics, engineering geology, structural mechanics and mineral and statistics.  

　　An education in Civil Engineering will equip you for a wide range of career paths in today’s job market. Civil engineers are in high demand at every level ranging from local councils to federal governments. Moreover, civil engineers are frequently contracted by private sector organisations at handsome salaries to develop infrastructure.  

　　

Is Civil Engineering right for me?

When you were younger did you enjoy playing with Lego sets and building blocks? Civil engineers have an innate sense of curiosity that drives them, and they enjoy putting things together to form structures. If this sounds like you, then you might be a good fit in this field.  

　　To excel in civil engineering you must be able to analyse, evaluate and design structures according to client requirements. You must also be able to effectively communicate and manage since you’ll be tasked with directing construction crews and updating clients on the construction progress. 

　　

Civil Engineering study options and costs

　　You need some form of post-secondary education to find employment in Civil Engineering. There are multiple options available when it comes to studying Civil Engineering. You can choose to pursue a diploma in Civil Engineering which is typically one year long and is typically enough for most clerk and technician level jobs. 

　　You can also opt for an associate degree in Civil Engineering which is 2 years long. In this programme you’ll learn the fundamentals of surveying, construction materials, CADD, technical drawing and construction management. This qualifies you for supervisor level roles.   

　　A bachelor’s programme in Civil Engineering is popular worldwide due to the global demand for civil engineers. A bachelor’s in Civil Engineering is typically 3 or 4 years long. It costs around $44,000 per year in the US. In the UK it costs approximately £30,000 per year. While in Australia it costs around AUD 40,000 per year.   

　　After completing your bachelor’s you can progress into a master’s degree. This degree is typically 2 years in duration and will require you to complete a project to get your degree. The average annual cost of a master’s in Civil Engineering in Australia lies between AUD33,000-40,000.  

　　

Future outlook

Any infrastructure ages with time and needs to be repaired and upgraded. In addition, the population boom and increasing globalisation has spurred the growth of global construction projects. This has consequently increased the global demand for civil engineers. The expected growth in the job market for civil engineering is 10.6% between 2016 to 2026. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 25,000 openings for civil engineers are expected every year! Skilled experts in civil engineering will be, particularly, required for water and renewable-energy projects globally this decade.

　　

Career pathways for Civil Engineering graduates

　　

Civil Engineering Technologist

 

　　Civil engineering technologists and technicians provide technical assistance in construction projects. Their duties may include testing construction material for quality, surveying the site, purchasing construction material, preparing time and reporting problems to the supervising civil engineer.  

　　

Construction Manager

 

　　As a construction manager you are responsible for supervising the logistics of a construction project. You’ll be responsible for ensuring deadlines are met and supervising staff. You’ll conduct visits to the sites and communicate with clients to keep them updated on the progress. As the manager, you will also need to ensure safety protocols are being followed and the construction process meets industry standards.  

　　

Quantity surveyor

 

　　Quantity surveyors manage the expenses of a construction project. Quantity surveyors offer their services to forecast the cost of construction material and labour. This becomes exceedingly important in large scale projects where changes in the project design may occur. Quantity surveyors adjust budget projections accordingly saving additional expenditure. They also procure necessary resources, materials, licenses and other documentation needed to start a construction project. They measure the progress made on a project and prepare reports for relevant stakeholders.