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Should I go for civil engineering or finance?
Hi, I’m in my final year of Alevel but haven’t applied to university and am taking a gap year instead, I’m confused on what degree I should pursue, I do maths physics and economics but I wouldn’t call myself a naturally smart person when it comes to physics. I’m confused if I should do economics and finance just because I live in London and it makes “more money” or I should go with civil engineering because I’m interested in structural engineering. I’m really unsure because on the internet all the civil engineering are wishing they worked in finance and the pay for civil engineering is low in the uk. Economics and finance is a good option but I’m not particularly excited about it, however it may also be in the next ten year I very much regret this decision.
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Vicky’s Answer
Hello there,
It is great that you are considering taking a gap year to properly assess your field of study rather than rushing into a decision. Let me spend some thoughts as someone who has spent years working in finance.
Yes, some finance careers pay well, but, if you are considering finance as a career path, be aware that as any career path, entry level positions require long hours and can be grueling, most starting career are.
You mentioned being "interested in structural engineering" but only seeing economics/finance as practical. Here's what I learned managing client portfolios: the people who excel and build sustainable careers are those genuinely engaged with their work. Choosing something solely for money often leads to dissatisfaction, and ironically, you may not even maximize your earning potential because you're not fully engaged.
Here is what I would recommend you consider during your gap year:
1. Shadow or interview professionals in both field: Meet finance and engineering professionals and ask questions about their careers, get the full picture.
2. Research beyond starting salaries: Research “potential mid-career paths.” For example, Civil engineers can move into project management, consulting, or specialize in high-demand areas. Finance roles are very diverse (investment banking vs. financial planning vs. treasury management).
3. Get a job/ Internship at an Engineering firm or Financial Institution: This will allow you to have hands-on experience and also discover career options that you would not consider.
4. Continue on growing your technical skills during your gap year - use this time to grow both personally and professionally
5. Test your assumptions - You said you're "not naturally smart at physics" but you're taking A-level Physics. That's significant. Civil engineering is applied physics—would working on real-world projects engage you differently than theoretical courses.
My recommendation is to be flexible in seeking for a career path, be ready to engage with professionals, explore university degrees that offer engineering programs with business/finance minors or economic programs with technical electives.
Make a list about What specific aspects of structural engineering interest you? And what do you think you'd actually be doing day-to-day in economics/finance?
Seek connections in engineering & finance
Job/internship in engineering and finance
Working hard is good so is having a little fun, if you can travel and discover new places
It is great that you are considering taking a gap year to properly assess your field of study rather than rushing into a decision. Let me spend some thoughts as someone who has spent years working in finance.
Yes, some finance careers pay well, but, if you are considering finance as a career path, be aware that as any career path, entry level positions require long hours and can be grueling, most starting career are.
You mentioned being "interested in structural engineering" but only seeing economics/finance as practical. Here's what I learned managing client portfolios: the people who excel and build sustainable careers are those genuinely engaged with their work. Choosing something solely for money often leads to dissatisfaction, and ironically, you may not even maximize your earning potential because you're not fully engaged.
Here is what I would recommend you consider during your gap year:
1. Shadow or interview professionals in both field: Meet finance and engineering professionals and ask questions about their careers, get the full picture.
2. Research beyond starting salaries: Research “potential mid-career paths.” For example, Civil engineers can move into project management, consulting, or specialize in high-demand areas. Finance roles are very diverse (investment banking vs. financial planning vs. treasury management).
3. Get a job/ Internship at an Engineering firm or Financial Institution: This will allow you to have hands-on experience and also discover career options that you would not consider.
4. Continue on growing your technical skills during your gap year - use this time to grow both personally and professionally
5. Test your assumptions - You said you're "not naturally smart at physics" but you're taking A-level Physics. That's significant. Civil engineering is applied physics—would working on real-world projects engage you differently than theoretical courses.
My recommendation is to be flexible in seeking for a career path, be ready to engage with professionals, explore university degrees that offer engineering programs with business/finance minors or economic programs with technical electives.
Vicky recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
Choosing a career path is one of the biggest decisions you'll face, and it's completely normal to feel torn between following a genuine interest and seeking financial security. It sounds like you have a real spark for structural engineering, and while the internet can be a loud place for venting about salaries, it's important to remember that a career in civil engineering offers a tangible sense of accomplishment that's hard to find elsewhere. You don't need to be a physics genius to succeed as long as you're willing to put in the work, and your background in maths and economics actually gives you a fantastic foundation for either path. Finance can certainly be lucrative, but spending decades in a field that doesn't excite you can lead to a different kind of regret that money can't always fix, whereas an engineering degree is highly respected and offers plenty of pivot points into the corporate world later if you change your mind. Since you're taking a gap year, you've got a wonderful opportunity to perhaps shadow professionals in both fields or look into degree apprenticeships that might give you the best of both worlds. Trust your instincts and remember that your first choice doesn't have to be your final destination, so focus on what will make you feel most engaged during those university years. You've got a bright future ahead of you regardless of which path you choose, and I'm sure you'll make the right call for your own happiness. Good luck.
Updated
Roel’s Answer
If you're really passionate about civil engineering, don't let online talk about salaries discourage you. If finance seems unfulfilling, the money might not bring happiness. Use your gap year to explore both fields, try them out, and chat with people who work in them.
Success isn't about being "naturally smart." It's about being curious, staying persistent, and choosing a path that excites you. Whatever you decide, you can learn and thrive. Believe in yourself, and know that you can succeed in either direction!
Success isn't about being "naturally smart." It's about being curious, staying persistent, and choosing a path that excites you. Whatever you decide, you can learn and thrive. Believe in yourself, and know that you can succeed in either direction!
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
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Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Don't you worry! After ten years most everyone regrets their decision. They lack versatility, adventure, cause.
What makes you happy? Take that year off and think about that.
Don't use money as a direction because financial structures change at a moment's notice (unless you hold gold & silver), governments come & go so what is legal today may be illegal tomorrow.
just sit down for a spot of tea and just day dream (yes I said it!) about your perfect future world (life, position, finance, sport, hobbie) in about twenty years time.
Close your eyes and actually visualize you, standing at that very point in life where it all just falls together.
At that same point, in your future self, reminisce of the paths you had to take, even those had to make, to arrive at that very point.
Some paths easy, some paths hard, many with as well as without a tear, but still a path well traveled to the footing you now stand rested on.
Visualize with genuine intent, asking Gods blessing as well as Angels protection.
What makes you happy? Take that year off and think about that.
Don't use money as a direction because financial structures change at a moment's notice (unless you hold gold & silver), governments come & go so what is legal today may be illegal tomorrow.
just sit down for a spot of tea and just day dream (yes I said it!) about your perfect future world (life, position, finance, sport, hobbie) in about twenty years time.
Close your eyes and actually visualize you, standing at that very point in life where it all just falls together.
At that same point, in your future self, reminisce of the paths you had to take, even those had to make, to arrive at that very point.
Some paths easy, some paths hard, many with as well as without a tear, but still a path well traveled to the footing you now stand rested on.
Visualize with genuine intent, asking Gods blessing as well as Angels protection.