Careers in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

This is one of the oldest branch of engineering. Civil Engineering involves use of scientific and engineering principles to design and construct the physical and natural built environment, including the structures viz. roads, bridges, canals, dams and buildings etc.

Civil Engineering is now being studied under several sub-disciplines like geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, water resources engineering, transportation engineering, materials engineering, surveying, urban planning, coastal engineering, and many more.

A civil engineer can choose from many career options like designing, supervision and construction activities of public works like roads, tunnels, bridges, buildings, dams, airports, water works, sewage systems, ports etc. The career prospects in this field are excellent due to the rapid growth of infrastructure facilities in the country.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility criteria is 10+2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Maths). There are many BE/BTech program in Civil Engineering of four years duration. The selection is generally made on the basis of entrance tests (e.g. IITJEE, AIEEE, BITSAT etc.) conducted at both national and state level.

An career in civil engineering can be started after class 10th. A high school passed is only eligible to pursue Diploma program in civil engineering. After successful completion of the course, he can join as a junior engineer in various public and private sector jobs.

One can also continue his study further by joining ME/MTech programs offered by various engineering colleges/universities including the IITs and NITs.

Career Prospects

Great job opportunities are available in in civil engineering both in public and private sectors. The government departments like irrigation, public health or public works offer ample job opportunities to civil engineering graduates. However, the probability of finding jobs in private sector is more as compared to government sector. A fresh graduate of civil engineering one can also look for jobs in building work, road projects, consultancy firms, quality testing laboratories and housing societies.

There is a great demand of civil engineers in developed and developing countries. Hundreds of civil engineers migrate from India to Australia, Canada and other countries for better career prospects.

Institutes/Universities

BE/BTech course in Civil engineering is offered by almost all engineering colleges/technological universities including the IITs and NITs. Most of the state universities and private B.tech colleges offer civil engineering branch.