Careers in civil engineering

LeadershipWhy should CE students think about leadership?

Roles of civil engineersWhat are two main roles of civil engineers?

Roles of civil engineers“From the beginning of recorded history and all over the earth, engineers meet the basic needs of the communal society. These needs include providing shelter, water supply, wastewater disposal, irrigation, transportation, and environmental protection.” (Walesh 1990)

Defining characteristics of CETechnical area Employer General function

TechnicalManagementOperationsTeachingResearch

Water resources engineering

•

Environmental engineering

•

Structural engineering

•

Geotechnical engineering

•

Transportation engineering

Construction engineering

•

Surveying engineering

Civil engineering materials

Classification of CE employersHow might you classify CE employers?

Distribution of CEsN

umbe

r

CE general functions

• Designing facilities and systems• Managing projects• Conducting environmental studies• Communicating• Administering construction• Estimating costs• Working on regulations• Managing and operating facilities• Conducting financial studies

CE functions: management

• Projects

• Businesses

• Public organizations

• Operations

• Human resources

• Environmental regulations

• Programs

Characteristics of CE workCE work involves

Starting salaries for engineers

Source: Spring 2007 Salary Survey ; National Association of Colleges and Employees

ISU CE data

BS in CE MS in CE

Salary range $43,400 – 51,500 $50,000 – 56,200

Average salary $48,100 $52,100

Placement rate 90% 88%

ECS, Spring 2007

ISU CE data% placed Ave. monthly

salaryCooperative 100% $ 2,454

Internship 88% $ 2,291

Summer 81%

No experience 62%

Message:

Life of a CE project• Choose a small-scale civil engineering project (utility

access, parking lot, bike path, pedestrian bridge)

• Determine the major steps (i.e., the categories of actions) needed to complete the project.