Jobs In Civil Engg
Civil Engineer Jobs
If you are interested in designing and building
things then this job could be ideal for you. As a civil engineer you
would plan, design and manage a variety of construction projects, from
bridge repairs to a new sports stadium.
To become a civil engineer you will need to have excellent maths and
IT skills. A civil engineer needs to be able to clearly explain design
ideas and plans. You’ll also need excellent communication skills.
Before you start in this job you would normally need to gain a
three-year Bachelor of Engineering degree or four-year Masters degree in
civil engineering.The work
You could work in any one of the following specialist areas of engineering:- structural – dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
- transportation – roads, railways, canals and airports
- environmental – water supply networks, drainage and flood barriers
- maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences
- geotechnical – mining, earthworks and construction foundations.
- discussing requirements with the client and colleagues
- analysing data from surveys, mapping and materials-testing using computer modelling software
- creating blueprints using computer aided design (CAD)
- judging whether projects are feasible by assessing materials, costs, time and labour requirements
- assessing the environmental impact and risks connected to projects
- preparing bids for tenders, and reporting to clients, public agencies and planning organizations
- managing, directing and monitoring progress during each stage of a project
- making sure that sites meet legal guidelines, and health and safety requirements.
For more information about a career as a civil engineer see the Institution of Civil Engineers website.
Hours
You would normally work between 35 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may also have to provide out-of-hours cover to deal with any problems.Your time would be split between an office and the project site. Site work would be in all weathers and may involve a lot of travel. Depending on the contract, you may sometimes need to travel overseas.
Income
Graduate salaries are between £17,000 and £25,000 a year. Experienced engineers earn between £25,000 and £40,000 a year, and senior Chartered Engineers can earn between £60,000 and £100,000 a year.Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Entry requirements
You would normally need to gain a three-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree or four-year Masters (MEng) degree in civil engineering for this career. These qualifications are important if you want to work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status. See the Training and Development section below for details. You could study other engineering-related subjects, but it may take you longer to fully qualify.To do a degree course, you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C) and two or three A levels, including maths and a science subject (normally physics), or equivalent qualifications. Check exact entry requirements with individual colleges and universities, as they may accept a relevant Access to Higher Education award.
If you already work in the industry as a technician, you could qualify as a civil engineer by studying part-time for a BTEC HNC/HND, foundation degree or degree in civil engineering.
More information about engineering careers and courses is on the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) website.
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Engineering Training Council NI
Training and development
You would usually start as a civil engineer on a company's graduate training scheme. You would train under the supervision of a mentor, developing your technical knowledge and business skills. Training schemes can last between one and two years.You could help your career development by working towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you will need to join a professional industry body, such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, and meet a number of requirements. See the following websites for more information.
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Engineering Council
Skills and knowledge
To become a civil engineer, you will need to have:- excellent maths, science, and IT skills
- the ability to explain design ideas and plans clearly
- the ability to analyse large amounts of data, and assess solutions
- a confident decision-making ability
- excellent communication skills
- project management skills
- the ability to work within budgets and to deadlines
- good teamwork skills
- full knowledge of relevant legal regulations.
