Job Description:
Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the private and public sector, including buildings, roads, airports, dams, tunnels, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.
Duties:
Civil engineers create, improve and protect the environment in which we live.
They plan, design and oversee construction and maintenance of building structures and infrastructure, such as roads, railways, airports, bridges, harbor's, dams, irrigation projects, power plants, and water and sewerage systems.
1) Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data to plan projects.
2) Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems and structures, following construction and government standards, using design software and drawing tools.
3) Direct construction, operations, and maintenance activities at project site.
4) Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations and establish reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction.
5) Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
6) Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, and material stress factors to determine design specifications.
7) Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
8) Prepare or present public reports, such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, and property and right-of-way descriptions.
9) Test soils and materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
10) Provide technical advice regarding design, construction, or program modifications and structural repairs to industrial and managerial personnel.
11) Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess the potential impact of projects.
Key skills for civil engineers:
Employers seek graduates who are commercially aware and capable of working well within a team environment. Other key skills include:
Sound mathematical, scientific and IT skills
The ability to think methodically and to manage projects
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Negotiating, supervisory and leadership skills
Complete knowledge of relevant legislation
Problem-solving skills
Ability to work to deadlines and within budgets
Ability to maintain an overview of entire projects while continuing to attend to detailed technicalities
Salary and Conditions:
The median annual wage for civil engineers is $83,540. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $53,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,880.
The median annual wages for civil engineers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service |
$92,320 |
Local government, excluding education and hospitals |
88,370 |
Engineering services |
82,710 |
State government, excluding education and hospitals |
80,200 |
Nonresidential building construction |
77,170 |
Civil engineers typically work full time, and about 3 in 10 work more than 40 hours per week. Engineers who direct projects may need to work extra hours in order to monitor progress on projects, to ensure that designs meet requirements, and to guarantee that deadlines are met.
Entry Criteria:
Eligibility: A degree in Science / Engineering earned from a recognized university after 16 years of education. At least 60% marks or CGPA of at least 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0). Two years of post-qualification experience in software development or related area.
Career Path:
The most common job for civil engineering graduates is construction/building engineer. However, you can also pursue jobs such as building control surveyor or manage the construction and development of environmental systems. Some can also become construction or architecture consultants.
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