Building the World of Tomorrow
Every great public landmark--from the Golden Gate Bridge to the National Mall--has a team of civil engineers behind it. Civil engineers conceive, design, and build civil works projects, including aqueducts, airports, bridges, tunnels, freeway interchanges, and sewers. If you already have strong math and science skills, and a desire to build the world of tomorrow, a degree in civil engineering is the next step to take towards this creative and dynamic career opportunity.
Degree Required
There's no way around it--to become a civil engineer, you'll need formal training. Most bachelor's degree programs in civil engineering last four years, although many graduates take five to complete the necessary coursework. The first two years of your training will consist of courses in mathematics, humanities and social studies, and physical and life science. The last two years of training focus on courses in engineering, with specialty training available in structural, water resource, construction, environmental, and geotechnical engineering.
Job Prospects and Wages
For engineers in general, the early twenty-first century is shaping up to be a golden age. Between now and 2014, experts expect that the number of graduates from engineering degree programs will just about equal the number of open jobs. Within civil engineering, employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all jobs. Those just entering the field with a bachelor's degree can make up to $44,000 to start, all while gaining experience and on-the-job training from senior engineers. So what are you waiting for? The future won't wait: pursue a civil engineering degree today!
Source
"Engineers," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
