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vt33
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Does anyone have any advice on civil engineering as a career? What are the good/bad sides of the profession? Any advice would be greatly appreciated:)
vt33 said:My question for you is do you often work with women civil engineers, or any other type for that matter? I have to admit that I am a little hesitant to go into it because I've heard about it being a "boys club" and I fear I won't have the same opportunities as men. I am also african american so that will make me stand out even more. I don't know if that would be a good thing or a bad thing :)
Also, do you move around often? I've heard that civils often have to relocate to find a new job or project. Has this been the case with you or anyone you know?
cipher said:hey phobos which college did you study civil engineering at? which do u think is the best and most affordable?
vt33 said:One more question!
Do you think that there is potential for civil engineering to be outsourced to other countries?
Phobos said:For what it's worth, the current president of the American Society of Civil Engineers is a woman. (by the way, be sure to check out the ASCE website)
Reston, VA - Patricia D. Galloway, PE, has been elected the first woman president of the 150-year-old American Society of Civil Engineers (www.asce.org). "It seems implausible that it took so long for a woman to be elected president of ASCE, considering that women have long been breaking barriers and making astounding contributions to the engineering profession," says Galloway.
"I don't view my election as a milestone, but instead a validation on how far we have come in accepting people for their abilities and skills."
Galloway brings to six the number of women who have headed major engineering societies. The other five are LeEarl Bryant, 2002 president of IEEE-USA (www.ieeeusa.org[/url]), the U.S. arm of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; Dianne Dorland, 2003 president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers ([url]www.aiche.org[/url]); Teresa A. Helmlinger, PE, the first woman president of the National Society of Professional Engineers, who took office in July 2003; and Susan H. Skemp, the 2002-03 president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International ([url]www.asme.org[/URL]) and its first woman officer in 125 years.
The Society of Women Engineers ([url]www.swe.org[/url]), of course, has had woman presidents since its inception. Alma Martinez Fallon is the current president.[/quote]
vt33 said:Depsite my fears, I am going to go for civil. I've been doing a lot of thinking and it seems to be the only thing that fits me.
The only thing I don't like is the fact that you move where the jobs are, they don't really come to you. I am really interested in transportation engineering, so if I end up working for the government, do they take local work also? Or do you relocate in order to finish the project?
vt33 said:Would you consider working for the government to be more stable than engineering firms?
And from your experiences, would you consider civil to be a fairly stable profession?
Phobos said:The key to your decision may be in looking at the types of civil engineering that are available. Broad categories include things like environmental engineering, transportation engineering, construction engineering, etc. And then there are specializations within those categories. For example, an environmental engineer may focus on water/wastewater treatment or hazardous waste or air pollution, etc.
If you have an idea of what kind of work you would like to be doing, then that would help pick which type of engineering to aim for. If you're just entering college, then you'll probably just sign up for "civil engineering" and they'll give you a bunch of introductory classes. As you move through college, you'll start to select specific courses that interest you.
Identifying good/bad sides depends on the situation.
In general, engineers get paid more than scientists and there are more job opportunities available. My impression is that civil engineers get paid a little less than other engineers (but the pay is still good). Civil engineers often get to work outside of the office. There are good professional societies too (networking, training, benefits). The work often has some noticeable impact on the world, which can feel good.
BTW, yes, I'm a civil (environmental) engineer. I'll try to keep an eye on this topic in case you have more questions.
I guess things haven't changed too much since I graduated as a civil engineer several decades ago. At the time, all engineering students...Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc., ... took - more or less -common courses during the first 2 years, like Calculus, Physics, and the Engineering Sciences (and a few Humanities that brought down our grades a notch). Then in the 3rd year choices were made as to which branch of Engineering you would major in, and in the Civil Engineering field in particular, you could choose between Environmental, Transportation, or Structural Engineering, etc.a_man said:Just curiousity, how is civil engineer different fromEnvironmental ? In my school, we study same courses through first 2 years.
PhanthomJay said:I guess things haven't changed too much since I graduated as a civil engineer several decades ago. At the time, all engineering students...Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc., ... took - more or less -common courses during the first 2 years, like Calculus, Physics, and the Engineering Sciences (and a few Humanities that brought down our grades a notch). Then in the 3rd year choices were made as to which branch of Engineering you would major in, and in the Civil Engineering field in particular, you could choose between Environmental, Transportation, or Structural Engineering, etc.
Civil engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment, including structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, and water systems.
Some benefits of a career in civil engineering include job stability, the opportunity to work on large and impactful projects, and the potential for high salaries and career advancement. Civil engineers also have the satisfaction of seeing their designs come to life and positively impacting society.
Civil engineers face a variety of challenges, including managing tight budgets and timelines, dealing with project complexities and uncertainties, and ensuring the safety and sustainability of their designs. They must also navigate changing regulations and technology, as well as potential environmental and social impacts.
Some important skills for civil engineers include strong mathematical and analytical abilities, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well in a team. Good communication and project management skills are also essential for success in this field.
I would advise someone considering a career in civil engineering to gain a strong foundation in math, science, and computer skills in high school. It is also helpful to seek internships or other opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field. Networking with professionals and researching different specialties within civil engineering can also help in making an informed decision about a career path.