Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design and manage the construction of bridges, roads, tunnels, pipelines, dams, sewage plants, railways, power stations and major buildings. They are involved with aspects of the national infrastructure, including transport networks and energy and water supply systems, using their knowledge of the properties and behaviour of materials to create imaginative and aesthetically pleasing designs, which meet all relevant safety and durability requirements within specified budgetary constraints.

Once the plans have been approved and construction starts, civil engineers are in charge until the project is completed. They might be involved at any point from conception, design, construction and maintenance to demolition. A civil engineering project can take years to complete and is usually undertaken by a project team made up of many different types of professionals. The design team involves project managers, architects and a wide range of engineers from different disciplines.

Experienced civil engineers usually achieve either incorporated or chartered status. Broadly speaking, incorporated engineers specialise in applying modern technology, while chartered engineers focus more on research and development or manufacture and installation.

Entry level
Although it is possible to begin training for craft or technician level jobs straight from school with good GCSEs/S grades in English, maths and science, the normal way to train as a professional engineer is to study full time at university or college for a first degree. Entry is with at least two or three A levels/three or four H grades, normally including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). At many universities, you can take a one-year foundation course if you don’t have the necessary background in science and maths.

Graduate apprenticeships in engineering may be available in England, bringing together study at degree or diploma level with structured work-based learning.

Making the grade
To qualify as an incorporated civil engineer, you should, having successfully completed an accredited three-year BEng degree or equivalent qualification, undertake a period of initial professional development, including practical training and professional engineering experience. You would then have to pass a professional review, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.

To qualify as a chartered civil engineer, you must have an accredited MEng degree or equivalent qualification, complete a period of initial professional development, which includes training and professional engineering experience, and pass a professional review with an interview, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

There may be opportunities for promotion to posts such as chief engineer, associate or partner. Promotion normally depends on proven ability and experience. Local authorities and government departments have formal promotion structures.

Civil engineers tend to move jobs often to gain experience and responsibility, and switch between the public and private sectors. There are many opportunities to work abroad, particularly in the developing world and in crisis work, such as rebuilding after an earthquake or a war.

Personal qualities
As a civil engineer, you would need to be creative as well as practical and good at problem solving. You should have a good grasp of both maths and the principles of design. You would need to be a team player. On site, you could find yourself in charge of many people and your leadership skills would be very important. Good communication skills would also be needed, as you would be dealing with a wide variety of people who would need to be very clear about your instructions.

Looking ahead
There is a wide choice of jobs, employers, specialisms and locations in civil engineering, and graduates are highly sought after. This is a diverse and developing industry with increasing emphasis on partnership working between organisations, sustainability and environmental considerations.

Employers can range in size from those employing a relatively small number of engineers to those who employ thousands. Some employers, especially the smaller companies, specialise in particular aspects of consultancy, for example design for projects in drainage, water or railways. The larger firms may offer their services across a wide variety of specialisms.

There are good opportunities abroad with British consulting firms or contractors working for foreign governments, or with international oil and mining companies.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include architect, built environment, construction manager, structural engineer, surveyor or town planner.

Take-home pay
New graduates earn about £19,000 to £22,000 a year. With qualifications and experience, your salary should rise after a few years to about £35,000. The average annual earnings for experienced chartered engineers are around £50,000 and for incorporated engineers around £40,000. Many salaries, particularly with site-based work, carry extra benefits. These could include a bonus, a company car or car allowance, life insurance, overtime pay and medical care.

Effects
At times the work is office-based, working on designs at a computer or briefing clients. On other occasions it may involve being out on site in all weathers, leading teams and solving problems. This might mean working on a construction site, in environments that can be inhospitable or remote.

A 37-hour week is normal in design offices, local government and public service. However, on-site hours can be much longer and may include evenings and weekends.

Sources of information
Institution of Civil Engineers: www.ice.org.uk
Institution of Engineering and Technology: www.theiet.org
Institution of Structural Engineers: www.istructe.org.uk
Royal Academy of Engineering: www.raeng.org.uk

CRCI: BB
DP Group: 3