How to become a civil engineer

Pathways to this career

1. Civil engineers must complete an undergraduate engineering degree, with a major in civil engineering.
2. Eager to go further? Develop your career with a Masters qualification and compete for higher level management roles.
3. You must have a Professional Engineer’s License to work independently as a civil engineer in most states. Prerequisites for the application process include completion of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, plus a minimum 4 years of industry work experience.

What does a civil engineer do?

Civil engineering professionals are responsible for many tasks that pertain to the infrastructure of a locality or country. They plan and design the construction and development of dams, roadways, expansion bridges, sewage and water systems, airports and numerous other important structures. There are many things that civil engineering professionals must consider such as the durability of materials for the project as well as the estimated cost of seeing the project to fruition.

Duties and tasks

• Arrange for timely delivery of materials needed for the project.
• Coordinate project construction.
• Create a complete and accurate estimate of project costs.
• Create designs and complex plans for projects.
• Design all projects with logistics and aesthetics in mind.
• Determine the best materials and methods for the individual project.
• Ensure structural design is safe and up to code.
• Ensure that quality standards and specifications are met.
• Monitor any and all project changes and update the cost estimation.
• Obtain and have soil and rock analysed prior to project development.
• Oversee all labourer's at the job site.
• Supervise and coordinate construction.
• Understand and ensure all codes and regulations are implemented.

Industry bodies

• Engineers Australia
• Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia
• Master Builders Australia

Related jobs

• Aerospace engineer
• Architectural building surveyor
• Construction estimator
• Quantity surveyor
• Civil engineering technician
• Civil engineering draftsperson
• Engineer
• Engineering manager
• Engineering technologist
• Environmental engineer
• Geologist geophysicist
• Soil scientist
• Industrial engineer
• Materials engineer
• Surveyor
• Agricultural engineer
• Pipeline engineer
• Structural engineer

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