3 min read

What to do with a degree in Civil Engineering?

This is a Rock Point Search series to support new job searchers in Civil Engineering

Rock Point Search has been enjoying its growing Engineering division. We have been supporting some exciting projects in airports, commercial and residential buildings, water treatment, canal design, piping networks and dams. It’s been a fun experience to support so many projects that touch every day lives.

At Rock Point Search our Engineering division is recruiting roles in:

Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

This year we want to support new candidates on the block by presenting the world of potential that comes with these degrees. Welcome to “What to do with a degree in____?

To kick things off, we’re looking at potential opportunities and career paths for students with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Two main places that will offer a good starting point:

Government/Public Services
Engineering Firms

Know the differences between these two options:

In many cases the jobs in the Government/Public Services are at the top level of the work. They are making the blueprint for everything that happens next. Think of Engineering Firms like a business level Fiverr or Upwork. That means, the Engineering firms will be working on projects that they secure through bidding on Government and Public Services projects.

What this means for Civil Engineering hopefuls:

If you go with Government/Public Services positions it is important to understand that you’ll be working within bigger systems, much bigger than anywhere else. You will probably not be as close to the projects as you may like but if you go this route keep longevity in mind. That said, you are highly likely to be very specialized. It will be necessary to think of this as a long term decision. You can have access to the top level of any project coming in the door over time if you stay sharp. The longer you’re there the closer you get just by nature of networking.

On the other hand, Engineering firms are busy with a variety of projects that they are simultaneously working on. Think of it like this, the playing field of competition is not as large. The mobility is easier because of the exposure and visibility you will access. So speed of learning is higher here because you will get lots of exposure if you pick the right Engineering firm. That said, not all firms are created equal and I hate to say it but you have to be careful with the smaller outfits.

The experience may vary. Some will offer a high level of exposure because they’re overloaded. For a newbie that could mean indispensible on the job experience. If there’s a particular project you want to get in on and they’re working on it you’ll touch everything or at least have the opportunity to do so. This is good for some and not so good for others because you may be in a tough environment that may require you to work long hours, or with burnt out employees.

This is NOT always the case. We’ve recruited successfully for small businesses and helped them grow. They grew by fostering healthy work environments that people enjoy.

This takes us back to the purpose of this article,