Engineering help - Right for me?

[blacksheep]

Hi

I have a problem that I hope I can get some advice on. I have been looking at doing a degree for a while and took a careers test a little while ago, and the results were that I would be suited for Engineering or science. So I started to look at degrees in these areas. I came across Civil Engineering, and thought it may be a good idea. The problem is that I don't really have any idea of the type of work the degree would involve, or if I would be any good at it/like it.

Is there any books I could read to introduce me to the basics and principles before I make a decision? Or even any web sites that have basic info? I don't know what I should be looking for, and it is really confusing seeing some of the sites that seem really advanced. I don't know where to start. If anyone could assist, or offer any advice it would be awesome.Thanks.

 

[Poop-Loops]

From another thread:

If one is interested in Electrical Engineering, then please visit the IEEE website to get an idea of what choices are available.

IEEE Societies/Specialties
http://www.ieee.org/web/membership/societies/index.html?WT.mc_id=hpwd_societies

Communications Society
Components, Packaging & Manufacturing Technology Society
Computational Intelligence Society
Computer Society
Consumer Electronics Society
Control Systems Society
Dielectrics & Electrical Insulation Society
Education Society
Electromagnetic Compatibility Society
Electron Devices Society
Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society
Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society
Industrial Electronics Society
Industry Applications Society
Information Theory Society
Microwave Theory & Techniques Society
Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society
Oceanic Engineering Society
Power Electronics Society
Power Engineering Society
Product Safety Engineering Society
Professional Communication Society
Reliability Society
Robotics and Automation Society
Signal Processing Society
Society on Social Implications of Technology
Solid-State Circuits Society
Systems, Man & Cybernetics Society
Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics & Frequency Control Society
Vehicular Technology Society

Each society has website within IEEE.As for EE vs Physics, one could do both or major in EE and minor in physics. One approach would be to sample EE curricula at different universities and similarly sample the Physics curricula at the corresponding institutions. Make a plan/outline of what one might do in a 4-yr program.

 

[ekrim]

civil engineering is divided into four undergraduate topics:

structures:
-solid mechanics, steel and concrete structure design, basically working with stress, strain, bending moments, etc. to build safe structures

transportation:
- A more qualitative area on the standards and design principles for roads, highways, railways, ports, airports

water resources:
-hydrodynamics as applied to urban water systems. ground and surface water flow, water quality and treatment

geotechnical:
-soils and foundations


Most civil engineers are there because they like buildings, bridges, etc. Expect to work on group design projects, learn autocad, and learn management/professional practice.

 

[KennyCivE]

In addition to what ekrim mentioned, there's also construction (which is my concentration). Some colleges have it as part of the civil engineering department, some have it as their own major. In any case, plenty of civil engineers end up working professionally for contractors. The construction concentration focuses on the methods of construction as well as the management of construction projects.

Also, there's environmental engineering (which is also usually part of the civil engineering department). It involves water treatment plants, removing pollutants from the atmosphere, etc.

A very good site about careers in engineering: http://www.careercornerstone.org/civileng/civileng.htm