The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are approximately 329,200 civil engineers in the country. But unless you work closely with engineers or know one personally, you might not understand what engineers do when they’re on the job.
As a leading civil engineering company in Idaho, we’re here to clear up any confusion. What does a civil engineer do? This post will cover the basics.
Main duties
A civil engineer is responsible for designing, building and supervising all sorts of infrastructure projects. You’ll find civil engineers in both the public and private sectors, doing everything from planning an entire dam to overseeing the construction of a new road in a subdivision.
Because each project type presents its own challenges, civil engineers often specialize in different branches, like transportation, structural or geotechnical engineering. At Mason & Associates, we have a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from medical campuses to utility sites.
It’s safe to say that any project would be a disaster unless a civil engineer is instrumental in creating the design and monitoring the construction site.
Education and training
The first step in becoming a civil engineer is getting a bachelor’s degree. A typical engineer has a degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology. Senior-level positions are usually only held by people with graduate degrees in some form of civil engineering.
Projects working directly with the public often require specific licenses, which are obtained through additional coursework and on-the-job training.
The engineering world is constantly changing, so a civil engineer must also stay up to date with the latest technologies, methods and trends once they receive a full-time position.
Necessary skills
A degree in civil engineering will teach an engineer how to do their job, but to be successful, an engineer must have a variety of different hard and soft skills. An engineer must be a problem solver, a creative thinker and a “people person.” Having excellent communication skills will also help a civil engineer be successful, as they may need to do public presentations from time to time.
Work environment
Because the answer to “what does an engineer do?” is fairly broad, our Idaho work environment changes from day to day. You’ll find civil engineers both in an office setting and out in the field at construction sites.
In the office, the engineer may be drawing up schematics or working on a cost analysis for a project. Out in the field, a civil engineer will be monitoring a construction project to ensure everything is going according to plan. If a civil engineer is also a licensed surveyor, they might also survey the land before the construction begins.
Hire Mason & Associates for your engineering needs
Now that you know what civil engineers do in Idaho, it’s time to hire one. But don’t turn to just anyone—choose our team at Mason & Associates. With over 30 years of civil engineering experience, you can trust us to handle your project from start to finish. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!