Civil engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering and is very relevant even today. Civil engineers are professionals who create structures, plan cities, create transportation facilities, and healthcare facilities to ensure a decent standard of living in various regions. Most brick-and-mortar structures you see around you have been transformed into a reality by a civil engineer.
The scope of civil engineering is very vast in India with many different career opportunities. You must gain relevant qualifications in this field to attract the right career opportunities for you. A Diploma in Civil Engineering after class 10, followed by a B.Tech and M.Tech qualification in the same field can really help you build a bright career in civil engineering. Let us take a look at the top jobs in civil engineering.
Careers After Civil Engineering Qualifications
1. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are professionals who plan, design, construct, maintain, upgrade, and operate infrastructure like roads, buildings, railways, dams, bridges, etc. These professionals are also responsible for maintaining public health and safety by executing proper waste management and sewer management systems. Environmental protection is another important part of a civil engineer’s job description.
2. Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical engineers are concerned regarding the engineering performance of earth materials like rocks, soil, sediment, etc. They have to examine and analyse these earth materials to find out the earthen properties of a certain area. This helps them determine whether a particular area is safe for construction or poses a health and safety issue for humans. Water resource management is also a part of geotechnical engineering.
3. Structural Engineer
Structural engineers are professionals who study, plan, design, and conduct necessary research regarding different structural components and systems. This helps them make sure that the structure they are constructing is safe and comfortable for human use. These professionals have to constantly keep themselves updated regarding the latest construction materials to ensure better standard of construction of a structure.
4. Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear engineers are employed in nuclear energy plants where they are responsible for constantly upgrading and maintaining the safety features of these plants. Their job is to make necessary recommendations that can be implemented into these plants to avoid accidents or radiation exposure in these plants. Nuclear catastrophes are extremely dangerous so these professionals have a very serious and important job to prevent such accidents.
5. Urban Planner
Urban planners are professionals hired by government authorities and the public works departments to plan different towns, cities, and relevant facilities in such areas. They have to work in collaboration like transportation planners, building engineers, structural engineers and others to ensure that a particular area is safe with a decent standard of living for humans.
6. Transportation Planner
A transportation planner is someone who plans and creates strategies for transportation networks within a city, a town, or across a country. Transportation planners have to analyse the transportation needs of people in a certain locality and ensure that they are able to fulfil such needs. They work to develop roadways, bridges, sea links, airports, sea ports and much more to ensure that people are able to travel in a hassle-free and safe manner.
7. Surveyor
A surveyor in civil engineering is someone who analyses the current and future value of a given piece of land, factory equipment, or even buildings. They have to collect relevant data, and present their findings that can help businesses make strategic decisions when trying to acquire property. They also have to carry out site measurements, oversee construction details, and survey the earth’s surface to determine whether it is fit for construction.
8. Building Engineer
A building engineer is someone who utilises various available technologies to plan, design, and construct different kinds of buildings. These buildings can be residential or commercial in nature. Each building has a different purpose and so building engineers are tasked with designing buildings that can serve a particular purpose. For example, building a school is very different from building a hospital and this is the expertise expected of building engineers at their job.
9. Construction Manager
A construction manager is very similar to a project manager as they are responsible for overseeing the management of construction at a particular site. They have to manage a team of civil engineers, architects, labourers, and many other professionals. Their main task is to ensure that the construction at a particular site happens safely and in a timely manner. Their purpose is to stick to a budget and a timeframe for each project.
10. Architect
Architecture is a bit of a deviation from civil engineering but falls in the purview of the field. Architects are professionals who work with different clients, they understand the needs of the clients and then design, plan, and oversee the execution of their design to create unique structures. They have to mould their creativity depending on the kind of structure they are designing to ensure that their designs stand the test of time while also being functional.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned job opportunities show you that the scope of civil engineering in the future is very bright. You have to start with the right qualifications and training to attract the right opportunities. Do some research and pick a college that focuses on skill building and adequate technical knowledge in civil engineering. Good luck!