About Civil Engineers

Civil engineers are responsible for designing and supervising the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems.  They must be mindful of government regulations and potential environmental hazards.  Civil engineers encompass many specialties, including structural design, water resources, construction, transportation, and geotechnical engineering.  Some hold supervisory or administrative positions, while others work in design, research, and teaching.

Civil engineers should have a bachelor's degree to enter the field and must be licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia if they work directly with the public.  The initial half of the licensing exam, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), can be taken upon graduation from an accredited engineering program.  The final half of the exam, Principles of Practice and Engineering (PE), can only be completed after four years of work experience.

High school students wishing to enter a civil engineering program should have a strong background in science and mathematics, and be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail oriented.  Civil engineers should also be able to work as part of a team, and communicate well, both orally and in writing.  Civil engineers can become technical specialists, supervise a team of engineers, or become engineering managers with time and experience.

Civil engineers are expected to experience much higher employment growth than the national average, as they will be needed to improve the nation's infrastructure due to population growth.  Visit the American Society of Civil Engineers website for more information on careers for civil engineers.