When you see job titles like doctor, veterinarian or landscaper, you already have a pretty solid understanding of what they do on a daily basis. However, we’ve found that’s not the case when someone says they’re a civil engineer. And that’s understandable—working for a civil engineering company isn’t exactly a common career path, and civil engineers have a ton of different duties.
Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the construction of buildings and infrastructure projects. They typically fall into two categories: consulting engineers and contracting engineers. The consultants typically work in an office and are responsible for the design of projects. Contractors take those designs and implement them on-site while managing the overall construction of the project.
Where do civil engineers work?
Most civil engineers work in the private sector, designing and overseeing all sorts of residential and commercial projects. But there are some civil engineers who work for federal, state or local governments. These engineers often oversee infrastructure projects like roads, highways, sewer systems and anything else that the government builds.
What are the qualifications needed to become a civil engineer?
Because they have so many important duties, a civil engineer must have years of schooling and on-the-job experience to obtain a license. Most civil engineers either have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or even a post-graduate degree in the field.
After graduation (or even during school), civil engineers usually land an internship to get some real-world experience. Once they’ve been in the field long enough, they can take tests to become a licensed civil engineer and earn the title of professional engineer (PE).
What skills do civil engineers possess?
Schooling alone isn’t enough to make for a quality civil engineer. These professionals must be great communicators and solid team players to accomplish their projects. They must also have excellent problem-solving skills and be able to make design changes on the fly when there are budgetary concerns.
Having good “people skills” is also a necessary part of the job. This is because every project requires working alongside many different stakeholders, and the engineers might even have to address the public in some cases.
When might I need a civil engineer?
There are many cases in which a homeowner or business owner might need to hire a civil engineer. These include developing a plot plan, obtaining permitting, helping with new construction or renovations, overseeing sewer projects, developing retaining walls, performing structural inspections and more.
Simply put, bringing in a civil engineering company to help with any kind of construction project or land-buying process is never a bad idea. Civil engineers will only make your life easier and help ensure success and a smooth experience.
Where can I find the best civil engineers?
The next time you need to hire a civil engineer, look no further than Mason & Associates. Whether it’s a public or private project, we’ve been Idaho’s go-to civil engineering company since 1989. Reach out to us today to see what our team can do for you.