Graduate Civil Engineer Responsibilities

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Civil engineering is the oldest branch of engineering after military engineering. In a sense, civil engineers are responsible for building the world we live in. They design and supervise the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, railways, buildings, irrigation projects, airports, power plants, etc. The structures should be architecturally sound, long-lasting and able to withstand different types of weather through the years.

Sub-disciplines of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is traditionally divided into various sub-disciplines such as -

• Environmental engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Materials engineering
• Coastal engineering
• Water resources engineering
• Construction engineering
• Surveying
• Structural engineering
• Urban or Municipal engineering
• Transportation engineering

Key Graduate Civil Engineer Responsibilities

Civil engineers have work ranging in scale from repair work on a bridge to building a new airport. They can either be consulting engineers to the architects and involve themselves in the designing process, or they can be contracting engineers who build according to the given plan and maintain the structure once it is completed. Some of the responsibilities of a civil-engineer include -

• Managing project resources
• Ensuring that the costs remain within the budget
• Conducting feasibility studies like site investigations, technical feasibility, etc.
• Ensuring that the project work goes on smoothly according to schedule
• Getting accurate information of the needs and requirements of your client
• Evaluating the environmental impact of the project and the risks associated if any
• Preparing blueprints using CAD software
• Preparing bids for tenders
• Assist in preparing the designs, specifications, etc., for the project
• Conduct routine inspection on the site to identify any potential problems
• Plan and carry out repair work and renovations
• Allocate work to the on-site staff
• Ensuring that the sites meet all the legal, health and safety guidelines
• Monitor the site work and prepare status reports for the management
• Report to the planning bodies and public agencies
• Co-ordinating with the other concerned professionals like architects, surveyors, contractors, etc.
• Prepare quotations for labor and materials
• Educate the on-site staff on safety precautions
• Graduate engineers are typically assigned jobs in the beginning that have a low level of responsibility
• In some companies, you might work as the 'eyes and ears' of the senior engineers as you supervise the construction on the site, while in others you might have to do everyday tasks like design and interpretation or analysis
• As you gain experience and seniority, you will handle more complex work like managing other engineers, more advanced design or analysis, work, management of the more complex projects, etc.
• Being a civil engineer, you may have to travel frequently for site visits and inspections. You may also get opportunities to go abroad if you work with a large company

Important Abilities and Skills

• Very good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong mathematical and technical skills
• Superior leadership skills along with the ability to delegate
• Project management skills
• Teamwork skills
• Ability to work under deadlines
• Able to analyze large amount of data and come up with solutions
• Knowledge of the relevant legal and safety regulations
• Ability to manage the project as a whole while still attending to specific areas

Educational Background

• To become a civil engineer, you will need a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering. The degree course lasts from three to five years
• To gain admission into a degree program, you will need a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) and two or three A levels
• You should also have a math or science (preferably physics) subject
• An engineering degree is important if you want to go up to the status of a chartered or incorporated engineer in the later stages of your career
• Some universities may give you a Bachelor of Engineering degree at the end of your course, while others may name the same as a Bachelor of Science degree
• The degree covers topics like physics, math, design, etc., and the students choose their specialization near the end of their degree
• If you are already working in the industry, you can study part-time for a B tech HNC/HND foundation degree

Potential Employers

1. Government departments
2. Railways
3. Local authorities
4. Building contractors
5. Water or gas companies
6. Environmental agencies
7. Power companies
8. Consulting firms
9. Oil and mining companies
10. International disaster relief agencies

Salary Details

Civil engineers, especially structural engineers, can expect to get one of the fattest pay-packets at the entry level. The average salaries fall in the range of $50,000 to $ 63,000. Your qualifications and skills play an important role in deciding your salary package. The geographical location also makes a difference; if you are willing to work in a remote area, your salary will be hiked accordingly.

Career Prospects

Civil engineering is the oldest branch of engineering for a reason. Infrastructure is the backbone of any economy, and it has to be continuously improved and expanded. Hence, civil engineers will always be in demand. Career prospects in this field are quite good and with time and experience, you can work your way up the ranks.

If you have a passion for engineering and would like the fruits of your labor to be admired by everyone for generations to come, civil engineering is a good option for you. Make sure you understand the graduate civil engineer responsibilities before entering this field.