Civil engineering is the invisible force shaping our modern world. From the roads we drive on and the bridges we cross to the clean water we drink and the buildings we inhabit, this essential discipline is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the foundational infrastructure of human civilization. Without the ingenuity of civil engineers, the complex, interconnected society we know today would be impossible.
As global infrastructure continues to age and the urgent need for sustainable solutions and renewable energy grows, the demand for skilled civil engineers remains robust and crucial. But how does one embark on a career in this impactful field? What does the academic journey entail, and what are the key strategies for building a successful and fulfilling career in civil engineering?
To shed light on this path, we sought insights from Chantel Columna, a seasoned professional with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. With a diverse portfolio of experience at various leading construction firms across the United States, Chantel offers a wealth of practical knowledge for anyone considering a future in this dynamic field.
If you’re aspiring to a career in civil engineering, especially with an interest in structural engineering, you will find Chantel’s journey and advice to be an invaluable guide.
This article focuses on the professional journey and career development in civil engineering. For specific advice on navigating the academic challenges of an engineering degree, explore our comprehensive Engineering School Survival Guide.
What is Civil Engineering? A Deeper Dive
Before exploring Chantel’s career path, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what civil engineering encompasses. At its core, civil engineering is the professional practice of conceiving, designing, constructing, and maintaining the physical and naturally built environment. This includes public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, and railways.
The field is remarkably broad, branching into numerous specialized sub-disciplines. While a complete list is extensive, here are some of the most prominent areas:
- Structural Engineering: This is the specialty Chantel pursued. Structural engineers focus on the design and analysis of buildings, bridges, towers, and other structures to ensure they are safe, stable, and can withstand all expected loads and environmental forces.
- Geotechnical Engineering: This branch deals with the behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineers analyze soil, rock, and foundation conditions to ensure a stable base for any construction project, from skyscrapers to tunnels.
- Transportation Engineering: This area focuses on the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Transportation engineers plan, design, and operate highways, public transit systems, airports, and harbors.
- Environmental Engineering: Concerned with protecting the public and the environment from harm, these engineers design systems for water purification, waste disposal, and pollution control, and work on solutions for environmental remediation.
- Water Resources Engineering: This discipline involves the management of water. Engineers in this field design water supply systems, irrigation networks, dams, and flood control solutions.
Each sub-discipline plays a critical role in creating a functional and resilient society. While this article draws heavily on Chantel’s background in structural engineering and construction, the career advice she offers is universally applicable to all aspiring civil engineers.
The Educational Path to Becoming a Civil Engineer
With a history stretching back to the dawn of civilization, the educational and certification standards for civil engineering are well-established. To practice as a professional civil engineer, the first requirement is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited civil engineering program. While a master’s degree can offer deeper specialization and open doors to advanced roles, it is not typically a prerequisite for entry-level positions.
Your undergraduate curriculum will begin with a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The initial semesters are dedicated to general engineering principles and introductory courses across civil engineering’s various sub-disciplines. This broad exposure helps you discover which area sparks your interest the most. After completing these core requirements, you will select a specialization—like structural, transportation, or environmental engineering—for more in-depth study. For Chantel, this pivotal choice was structural engineering.
Once you’ve chosen your specialty, the focus shifts to gaining practical, real-world experience. This is the ideal time to start seeking out internships, which are crucial for bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
A Real-World Career Trajectory: Chantel’s Story
Upon graduating with a civil engineering degree, a wide array of job opportunities becomes available. To illustrate what’s possible, let’s follow Chantel’s dynamic career path. Her journey is a testament to the versatility and growth potential within the field.
The First Step: Landing a Crucial Internship
After zeroing in on structural engineering, Chantel proactively began her search for an internship. She was already familiar with the global construction giant Skanska from her early studies in architecture (her initial major before she switched to civil engineering). When she saw Skanska represented at a university career fair during her junior year, she seized the opportunity.
Armed with in-depth knowledge of the company’s projects and a polished resume, she made a strong impression and secured a summer internship with Skanska in New York City. There, she was introduced to the world of estimating, a critical function that involves calculating the total costs of a construction project. Towards the end of her internship, she also gained valuable field experience by shadowing the superintendent on the iconic World Trade Center station project.
From Graduate to Project Pro: Gaining Diverse Experience
Chantel’s positive internship experience solidified her desire to work in the construction industry after graduation. Leveraging the connections she had already built, she pursued a highly competitive rotational program at Skanska. This program was designed for recent graduates, allowing them to work on different projects in four-month rotations.
Chantel advocated strongly for a spot and was accepted. She describes this as an incredibly formative experience. It not only exposed her to a variety of high-profile projects across the New York metropolitan area but also allowed her to learn the nuances of different construction specialties. This broad perspective was instrumental in helping her identify her long-term career interests.
Pivoting and Growing: From the Field to Tech
After two years of invaluable experience at Skanska, Chantel was ready for a new challenge and a change of scenery. She relocated to Denver, where she took an estimating position at Gilbane Federal. Soon after, driven by a desire to get more hands-on field experience and understand the daily mechanics of construction, she moved to a project engineer role at Mortenson Construction. Her dedication and skill led to a promotion to assistant project manager after a couple of years.
In a fascinating career evolution, Chantel then transitioned to her current role as a customer success lead for a construction management software startup. While seemingly a significant shift, she found that her extensive on-the-ground construction experience gave her a unique advantage in understanding client needs and solving their complex challenges. Chantel’s story powerfully illustrates that a civil engineering degree is a launchpad for a wide spectrum of career possibilities.
Expert Career Advice for Aspiring Civil Engineers
Now that you’ve seen an example of a potential career path, here is a summary of Chantel’s most valuable advice for students looking to build their own successful career in civil engineering.
Build Your Network: The Power of Professional Societies
While your coursework provides the technical foundation, your professional network opens the door to opportunities. The best way to start building this network as a student is by joining professional organizations. Chantel, for example, became a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers. These societies are fantastic platforms for connecting with peers, but more importantly, they offer direct access to alumni and seasoned industry professionals who can provide mentorship, career advice, and even job leads.
Gain Hands-On Experience: The Non-Negotiable Internship
Internships are essential. Chantel emphasizes that while her degree provided the fundamental knowledge, her internship taught her practical skills and industry nuances that could never be learned in a classroom. Start your internship search early. Career fairs are an excellent resource, but also explore online job boards and your university’s career services. Don’t hesitate to proactively reach out to alumni in your field to inquire about internship opportunities at their companies.
Ace the Interview: Preparation is Key
When you land an interview, thorough preparation is what will set you apart. Chantel strongly recommends researching the company’s recent and current projects. Look at their website and social media profiles, identify one or two projects that genuinely interest you, and be prepared to discuss them. This demonstrates authentic interest and helps you formulate insightful questions, especially when answering “Why do you want to work here?”
Showcase Your Soft Skills
Technical expertise is expected, but soft skills often make the difference. Be prepared for behavioral questions about your strengths, weaknesses, and teamwork experiences (“Tell me about a time when…”). Reflect on past projects or experiences to find genuine examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and character. Honesty is crucial; if you don’t know an answer, it’s far better to admit it than to invent a response.
Design Your Life, Not Just Your Career
It’s easy to focus solely on salary and job title, but Chantel advises thinking holistically about the lifestyle you want. The construction sector, for example, is often project-based and can require relocation every few years. This can be an exciting opportunity for travel and seeing new places, but it might be a significant drawback if you prefer to put down roots. Be sure to ask about travel expectations and work-life balance during your interviews. Be mindful of your path and choose a role that aligns with your personal goals.
Your Major is a Starting Point, Not a Destination
It’s a common misconception among students that their major will lock them into a single, linear career path. The reality is that your major doesn’t define your entire professional life. Chantel never envisioned working for a tech company, yet the skills and connections she developed in her initial construction roles created the perfect foundation for her current success. Your degree is a powerful starting point that equips you with versatile problem-solving skills applicable across many industries.
Civil Engineers Shape the Future
A degree in civil engineering can lead you down a multitude of exciting and rewarding paths. We hope this exploration of the field, guided by Chantel’s experience, has provided you with a clearer roadmap and practical strategies for launching your own career.
A special thanks to Chantel Columna for generously sharing her insights for this article. If you are a student or aspiring civil engineer seeking further guidance, you can connect with Chantel on LinkedIn. She is passionate about helping the next generation of engineers succeed.
Image Credits: reviewing plans