In The Life Of A Civil Engineer
Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities
Civil engineering focuses on the design, construction and maintenance of structures and infrastructure. They plan and oversee the redesign, construction, and rebuilding of roads, tunnels, railways, bridges, power plants, and many more publicly used utilities.
There are two traditional branches of civil engineering: consulting engineers and contracting engineers. Both of these positions oversee the same tasks but from various angles. Consulting engineers execute a plan with the client to foresee the future of the project. Contracting engineers evaluate the clients' needs and perform the work. A couple of examples of tasks and responsibilities either Civil engineer would experience are...
• Undertaking technical and feasibility studies including site investigations
• Using a range of computer software for developing detailed designs
• Undertaking complex calculations
• Liaising with clients and a variety of professionals including architects and subcontractors
• Compiling job specs and supervising tendering procedures
• Resolving design and development problems
• Managing budgets and project resources
• Scheduling material and equipment purchases and deliveries
• Making sure the project complies with legislative requirements, especially health and safety
• Assessing the sustainability and environmental impact of projects
• Ensuring projects run smoothly and structures are completed within budget and on time.
Better Get Used To It
Working Conditions
Civil Engineers have don't work with a constant routine. Most working conditions change depending on the project provided by the client.
As a Civil Engineer, you'd predominantly be in an office but will spend some time outside on the project site to supervise the planning and construction. Project managers get more out of office experiences. There is work all year round for design. The construction aspect is slower during the winter and might be within an office for those months but the work never stops. Design during the winter. Construct during the summer.
Working hours for consulting civil engineers are generally normal office hours, with some extra hours and weekend work close to project deadlines. Contractors, on the other hand, often work shifts and weekends and are outside in all weather.
Travelling as a Civil Engineer is usually constant. Depending on the location of the design, you may travel abroad to supervise the project in another country. It always depends on the request from the client.
In Canada, the highest demand for Civil Engineers is in Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Globally the most suitable locations for a Civil Engineer are New York, Dubai, Melbourne, and many more architecturally inclined cities. Therefore, if you want to climb to the top and make a name for yourself in the field of Civil Engineering, then NewEngineer can support your journey.