Civil Engineering helps us design, construct and maintain infrastructural elements that range from roads to dams. A civil engineer works to improve living conditions by continuously working for the safety and comfort of the society by upgrade of the public facilities be it roads, tunnels, bridges, water systems or buildings.
Civil Engineering aspirants must have a keen sense of analytical ability, social responsibility and creative thinking. A taste for team work with architects, contractors, and construction workers is necessary since interaction is essential for the knowledge sharing, feedback and success of projects.
The civil engineer is expected to have a thorough knowledge of varied branches of learning. Physics and Mathematics are the foremost of these disciplines. Moreover Geography, Hydrology, Geology, Structural Analysis, Materials Science, Soil Structure, Environmental Science and many other fields constitute the subject of Civil Engineering.
Civil Engineering is responsible for directly affecting changes in the human environment. This is a field of activity, which engenders great responsibility. This is a challenging line of work asking for an expertise in the know how of electrical and mechanical systems. A civil engineer is exclusively involved in design and planning. Therefore Civil Engineering combines creativity with technical competence. The work entails dynamic fieldwork to monitor projects sites and tackle practical issues.
Civil Engineering has many specializations available to be followed by the bachelor’s degree. Hence a student can augment his degree with a Masters course in subjects such as Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Mining Engineering, Structural Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Material Engineering, Transport Engineering etc. The Master’s degrees provide better hold of the subjects and improve the job prospects.
A degree in Civil Engineering opens numerous fields of research and academics. To this end students can gain MPHIL or PHD degrees.
Employment for Civil Engineers abounds in the private and public sectors. In the private domain the Infrastructure sector is the perennial playground of the civil engineer. With the ever-widening network of Roads and Rails there is no dearth of jobs for Civil Engineers.
The new concept of community systems brings new blood to civil engineering. Civil engineering, built on team work, provides leadership skills to its practitioners. Thus civil engineers are naturally suited to become community leaders and mentors. As such civil engineering graduates can enter various public departments at the state or the central level via civil services or the relevant exam. The IES, IAS and various state level exams provide entry points to engineering jobs.
Civil Engineers work in a number of popular profiles such as surveyors, designers, architects, managers and planners.
