What the work is
A civil engineer helps create buildings, roads, bridges and other structures — at the design stage, on site or in supervision. They calculate structures with the soil and seismicity in mind, read and prepare design documents, draw up cost estimates, organise work on site and make sure everything is built to the design, the codes and the schedule.
A typical day
A morning briefing on site: which work is under way, and whether there are enough materials and machines. Checking the reinforcement before a concrete pour and logging it. Agreeing a design change with the designer. Working on the estimate and the certificates of completed work. Making sure the crews follow safety rules.
How to start
- Get a firm grasp of structural mechanics, materials science, design basics and building codes.
- Learn AutoCAD, and then BIM software such as Revit or ArchiCAD.
- Do internships on real sites: understanding a construction site is especially valued.
- Learn cost estimating and as-built documentation.
Related professions
Occupational safety engineer, power engineer, mechanical engineer, quality engineer.