Become A Civil Engineer With A Degree In Science!

Of all the engineering disciplines, civil is the largest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are over 278,000 of them in the U.S. It will stay that way for some time to come, thanks to several stimulus packages put forth by President Obama this year, some with quite a bit of emphasis on online education. 

Civil engineers are people who design and supervise the construction of anything from a skyscraper to a super highway to a private home. This doesn't just include the brick and mortar, but ventilation, plumbing, even the sidewalk. They also have to juggle the project against the expected lifetime of the project, federal to local government bylaws, and possible hazards such as from natural disasters to, these days, sabotage.

Civil engineering, considered one of the oldest forms of engineering out there, has been around since ancient man began assembling aqueducts, roads and monuments. The field then subdivides into such specialties as water resources, transportation, structural, construction and geotechnical engineering. They usually work in a decision-making capacity, from managing a construction site to overall urban planning. Others work in a more theoretical capacity in design, research, and teaching positions.

Thanks to a number of stimulus packages proposed by President Obama last January, the Bureau projects exceptional job growth over the next ten years. Civil engineers will be the number one profession most affected by this project, upgrading or building new roads, power plants and other public structures.

A person who wants to become a civil engineer needs a math and natural science background. Learning drafting and CAD is essential. While still undergraduates, students should keep an eye out for work-study and internship programs with companies, as they provide hands-on experience that recruiters feel is also necessary for a successful career. Another training ground for civil engineers is the military, which has experience with everything from temporary bridges to the Tennessee Valley Authority, especially the Corp of Engineers.

Education is not done once one graduates with a Bachelor's of Science. There is still professional certification from the American Society of Civil Engineers. It's highly advised getting one to two years of work experience before going for the certification exam. Enrolling in an online college program is a good way to get this done because virtual education most resembles the CAD-based world civil engineers work in and have the easiest time staying up to date with the most current innovations. Most civil engineers these days usually work with Master's degrees and even some doctoral work.

Civil engineering is considered a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) discipline. This gives anyone interested the ability to go for more than just the Pell grant. They can also apply at the National Science Foundation for S-STEM grants. The military and private corporations and societies also offer an incredible number of scholarship programs. The Society lists many of them, but one should also check in with a financial aid advisor.

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