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1. What are the required Industry Based Competencies for Civil Engineering Profession
Program?

 Communication

Communication skills are extremely important for civil engineers, who often lead teams
of diverse people and have to communicate effectively with all of them. They also have
to speak to clients and the public, explaining complex technical ideas in clear ways.
Another element of communication skills is listening. Civil engineers need to listen
carefully to the concerns of their co-workers and the needs of their clients.

 Critical Thinking

Civil engineers work on almost every step of a project, from planning to design to
construction. Civil engineers are typically very skilled at problem-solving. Throughout
each project, they have to solve complex technical problems and come up with creative
solutions. These solutions have to be safe, efficient, and cost-effective. Therefore, civil
engineers need to have strong critical thinking skills. They have to weigh the pros and
cons of different solutions and make the best decisions.

 Leadership

Civil engineers often manage diverse teams that consist of contractors, architects,
construction managers, other engineers, and more. They have to effectively lead and
manage each team, making sure projects are completed successfully. That means
building relationships with all members on the team and providing effective motivation.
Communication skills are also a big part of being an effective leader—with strong verbal
and written skills, managers can set expectations and timelines, and provide direction
and feedback.

 Project Management

As leaders on a project, civil engineers have to be able to see a project through from
start to finish. They must manage many different types of professionals and work
effectively with clients. They have to make difficult choices to make sure that each
project is completed within budget, finished on time, and done well. Project
management software helps, of course, but civil engineers must be skilled at estimating
how long different aspects of a project will take. They must spot (and account for)
dependencies, and also build in time for when unexpected setbacks occur.

 Technical Skills

While soft skills like leadership and communication are critical to civil engineering, civil
engineers also require hard skills, particularly technical skills. They must be skilled in
math and physics, as well as map reading, reviewing blueprints, design techniques, and

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computer-aided design (CAD) software. These technical skills are essential to ensuring
that the projects civil engineers work on are structurally sound.

2. What are the directions of Engineering graduates towards the Civil Engineering
Industry?

ion provides details on the steps needed to begin a career in civil engineering.

1. EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering are commonly offered, and serve as the base
level of education required to begin working. Within these programs, students
undertake a variety of courses in math, engineering, statistics, fluid dynamics, and
architectural design. They learn through a variety of mediums, including class lectures,
internships or co-ops, and onsite field work.

As of 2012, one out of every five civil engineers held a master’s level degree and most of
those were in managerial or leadership roles. Coursework tends to cover the same
topics presented in a bachelor’s degree, but more in depth. Students may also have the
opportunity to concentrate their knowledge in a particular area through specialized
coursework and a research project.

Those seeking doctoral level degrees most often aspire to teach at the postsecondary
level, or work in high-level consulting roles. As part of degree requirements, candidates
complete a large-scale original research project and undertake examinations.

2. COMPLETE A CIVIL ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP

Almost all programs mandate at least one semester or summer-long internship to satisfy
degree requirements. Students use these experiences to apply theories they’ve studied
in the classroom, learn practical skills, and gain insight on a particular area of the field
they may be interested in pursuing. These opportunities also serve students well for
future employment, allowing them to network with other professionals, receive
mentorship from an established civil engineer, and possibly leverage their experience
into a job after graduation. The majority of internships are completed in the junior or
senior year of study.

3. CHOOSING A SPECIALTY/CONCENTRATION

Because the field includes myriad areas of work, most students elect to specialize in a
particular area. Some of the common concentrations include construction engineering,
structural engineering, land development and use, transportation engineering, or
geotechnical engineering. Undergraduates typically spend 12 to 18 credit hours covering

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specific topics in these areas, and may even complete an internship focused on their
chosen specialization.

4. SUCCESSFULLY PASS RELEVANT EXAMS FOR CERTIFICATION

Civic engineers who wish to offer their services publicly must go through a number of
steps to be properly licensed. While specific rules are governed by individual states,
some of the most common requirements include: Attend an ABET-accredited
institutionUndertake the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination directly after
completing a baccalaureate degreeBecome a Civic Engineering (CE) intern, also known
as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT).Complete a minimum number of professional hours,
meet benchmarks along the way, and complete the Principles and Practices of
Engineering (PE) examination to become a CE Professional.

The American Society of Civic Engineers offers support to civil engineers in training with
a variety of test preparation assistance and information about testing centers. Because
individuals must be licensed in all states and Washington D.C. to actually practice,
devoting the proper amount of time to studying and preparing for these examinations is
crucial.

5. LAND AN ENTRY-LEVEL JOB

After taking on a number of internships during college and completing the

Engineer-in-Training phase, it’s likely that individuals will have a good number of
contacts within the field via their networking efforts. Because civil engineering still
functions in somewhat of a modern apprenticeship model, moving into the first
professional role is typically accomplished through existing contacts. All students and
interns should make sure they are doing their best work, asking questions, learning
practical skills, and meeting as many professionals as possible. ASCE and Engineering
Jobs also provide regularly updated job boards.

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