Civil Engineer Education and Training for Beginners

Successful Civil Engineer and education and training requires strong math and science skills

By Renee Baumgardner

Civil engineering education and training allows one to have a part in designing infrastructure, such as the highways and water and sewer systems that service our communities. Civil engineers are involved in the planning and design of highways that allow individuals to arrive to their destinations safely. In addition, to designing highways, civil engineers specializing in transportation also ensure the safety of motorists by conducting studies to determine what types of road improvements are necessary to alleviate congestion. For example, they may install traffic calming devices, such as traffic circles, stop signs or traffic lights and conduct bridge inspections to develop replacement and rehabilitation projects.

An individual possessing a civil engineer education may also find a career focusing on public water and sewer infrastructure, storm water management, water resources, and landfills. To see if a career in private investigation is for you, perform the following:

1. Look up the civil engineering education and training requirements to see if you have what it takes.

2. Learn about the civil engineer training and licensure requirements for employment.

3. Get a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

 

Research civil engineering education and training requirements

Math and science constitute a large portion of the civil engineer education and training. For beginners, students must complete courses such as elementary surveying, calculus, chemistry, highway surveying and design, pavement design and management, construction project management and soil engineering.
Try: Education Portal and the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide further information on requirements for those interested in the civil engineering training.

Contact the NCEES for civil engineer training and licensure requirements

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) represents engineering licensing boards nationwide and serves as an excellent resource in providing information regarding the training and other requirements one must meet in order to be eligible for licensure.
Try: The National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) provides contact information on state licensing boards in addition to information about the licensing requirements one needs to obtain civil engineer licensure.

Visit civil engineering schools that offer a Bachelor's degree program.

Contact colleges and universities that offer civil engineering programs that will result in a bachelor's degree. Schedule an appointment with a representative of the engineering department to discuss program requirements, civil engineering classes offered, and internships that may be available to students.
Try: The American Society of Civil Engineers and Construction WebLinks list colleges and universities located within the United States that offer four-year bachelor degree programs in civil engineering.

 

  • Contact your local public works department and schedule an interview with a representative from their engineering division to gain further insight on civil engineer education and training. For beginners, you may ask what courses in civil engineering they recommend based on current trends in the field, recommended courses from other disciplines they find useful in their job duties and examples of projects they have worked on.