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Should I pursue a major in civil engineering and a minor in business?
Im currently a junior going into senior year of high school this fall. Before, I was interested in majoring in architecture but now has changed to majoring in civil engineering and possibly minoring in business. I do understand that it will be rigorous wanting to do both courses and will need to be accepted by the college advisors. But, I was just seeking for more information from anyone who has done something like this. The schools Im planning on applying to are UC Berkeley, UCSD, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Davis, Cal Poly Slo & Pomona, and USC.
Any advice/insight is appreciated, Thank you!
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14 answers
Updated
Robert A.’s Answer
Civil Engineer is one of the least-affected by AI Offshoring, because you have to be 'on the ground'. Business, on the other hand, is one of the most affected and likely to be offshored, leaving few entry-level positions to learn your business skills. You could using AI to train you 'as though' you went to business school, and have that skill set once you're in an A/E or GC office.
But you need the Civil Engineer certificate or you can't get your Professional Engineer license. If I were to recommend anything, I'd add you could have a second major in "Geomatics and GD&T", both are 'hot' in the Surveying and Industrial Manufacturing arena, and make you more skilled as a Civil Engineer who really understands CAD dimensioning when you are first starting out.
SUMMARY: You must have a Civil Engineering major to get your PE and advance; a Business Major is unlikely to ever pay out for you and can as easily be acquired by AI online free training seminars and 1:1 with Gemini. A second major in Geomatics and GD&T is your 'Plan B' if you want.
DISCLAIMER: Worked in Surveying and Manufacturing to get my PE exam seat, (and always have backup work when site development gets slow.)
But you need the Civil Engineer certificate or you can't get your Professional Engineer license. If I were to recommend anything, I'd add you could have a second major in "Geomatics and GD&T", both are 'hot' in the Surveying and Industrial Manufacturing arena, and make you more skilled as a Civil Engineer who really understands CAD dimensioning when you are first starting out.
SUMMARY: You must have a Civil Engineering major to get your PE and advance; a Business Major is unlikely to ever pay out for you and can as easily be acquired by AI online free training seminars and 1:1 with Gemini. A second major in Geomatics and GD&T is your 'Plan B' if you want.
DISCLAIMER: Worked in Surveying and Manufacturing to get my PE exam seat, (and always have backup work when site development gets slow.)
Thank you for the advice.
yen
Updated
sowmya’s Answer
Here's a positive plan for your studies:
Start by applying to a strong civil engineering program. Think of the business minor as a bonus, not the main focus. Here's a good way to go about it:
First, get into the best civil engineering program you can.
See how your first year goes with your classes.
If your schedule allows, add the business minor.
Benefits of combining civil engineering with a business minor:
A business minor is great if you want to learn about project finance, contracts, operations, management, working with clients, or starting your own business.
If you're aiming for a very technical path, like focusing on structural, geotechnical, water, or transportation design, the business minor might be less useful.
Start by applying to a strong civil engineering program. Think of the business minor as a bonus, not the main focus. Here's a good way to go about it:
First, get into the best civil engineering program you can.
See how your first year goes with your classes.
If your schedule allows, add the business minor.
Benefits of combining civil engineering with a business minor:
A business minor is great if you want to learn about project finance, contracts, operations, management, working with clients, or starting your own business.
If you're aiming for a very technical path, like focusing on structural, geotechnical, water, or transportation design, the business minor might be less useful.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
yen
Updated
Emmanuel’s Answer
Hi Yen!
It’s great that you’re thinking this through now. Based on my professional experience, I’ve learned that your major matters, but what matters even more is how you apply your skills, how well you solve problems, and your willingness to keep learning over time. I’ve seen many people with technical degrees, including civil engineering, grow into successful business and management roles.
Civil engineering and business can be a strong combination, especially if you’re interested in areas like project management, construction, real estate development, or eventually leading teams or a business. That said, engineering programs are rigorous, so you do not need to pressure yourself into doing everything at once. A smart approach is to start with civil engineering, adjust to the workload, and then explore a business minor if it still fits your interests and schedule.
My advice would be to choose the path that keeps your options open while building a strong foundation. Focus on doing well academically, managing your time, and staying flexible as your interests continue to develop. You can absolutely combine technical and business skills, but it is best to do it in a way that is realistic and sustainable for you. Wishing you the best.
It’s great that you’re thinking this through now. Based on my professional experience, I’ve learned that your major matters, but what matters even more is how you apply your skills, how well you solve problems, and your willingness to keep learning over time. I’ve seen many people with technical degrees, including civil engineering, grow into successful business and management roles.
Civil engineering and business can be a strong combination, especially if you’re interested in areas like project management, construction, real estate development, or eventually leading teams or a business. That said, engineering programs are rigorous, so you do not need to pressure yourself into doing everything at once. A smart approach is to start with civil engineering, adjust to the workload, and then explore a business minor if it still fits your interests and schedule.
My advice would be to choose the path that keeps your options open while building a strong foundation. Focus on doing well academically, managing your time, and staying flexible as your interests continue to develop. You can absolutely combine technical and business skills, but it is best to do it in a way that is realistic and sustainable for you. Wishing you the best.
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Absolutely. If you have the energy, a minor in business is a good idea. Many engineering students get a masters degree in business after their bachelors degree in engineering. At UC you can examine your core courses and electives and see what might fit in to your desired program. You’re in for a challenge.
An engineering career has many twists and turns, but I have always felt there is a point where you get to decide whether you want to maintain a technical expertise and continue as a designer and expert in a specific area of civil engineering, or become more of a manager. If you are more of a people person and enjoy team leadership or management, business experience helps. You can get this during your career certainly, but basic understanding from school is useful.
Best wishes,Yen, and…I’m a sanitary engineer. I turn dirty water into clean water, and I’m a UC Berkeley civil engineering graduate. UC Berkeley is the best. Go bears!
An engineering career has many twists and turns, but I have always felt there is a point where you get to decide whether you want to maintain a technical expertise and continue as a designer and expert in a specific area of civil engineering, or become more of a manager. If you are more of a people person and enjoy team leadership or management, business experience helps. You can get this during your career certainly, but basic understanding from school is useful.
Best wishes,Yen, and…I’m a sanitary engineer. I turn dirty water into clean water, and I’m a UC Berkeley civil engineering graduate. UC Berkeley is the best. Go bears!
Thank you for your insight, Ray!
yen
Updated
Prashant’s Answer
From my experiences and observations, great engineering professionals exercise people skills, technical knowledge & skills, and business/economic sense. Adding a business minor to an engineering major will help you become more well rounded and better prepared for the "real world" where good decisions require inputs from technical and business perspectives.
Updated
Claxton’s Answer
Hi there, yen. If you are considering a minor in business, it sounds like you may have a goal of opening your own engineering firm or another sort of business in the future. Taking business courses would give you some good insights on what it would take to do that.
The two key factors to consider are the costs of the additional courses and the amount of additional coursework required to get the minor. Both of those factors will vary by school. Before you apply to the schools of your choice, find out what courses are required and how much they may cost beyond the costs of your major classes. Even if it turns out not to be practical to minor in business because of time or money, you could still take a couple of business courses as part of your major, likely to fill elective class requirements. You could also take additional business courses after you earn your degree at a different school.
Whatever you choose to do, I hope that you reach your goals and enjoy success.
The two key factors to consider are the costs of the additional courses and the amount of additional coursework required to get the minor. Both of those factors will vary by school. Before you apply to the schools of your choice, find out what courses are required and how much they may cost beyond the costs of your major classes. Even if it turns out not to be practical to minor in business because of time or money, you could still take a couple of business courses as part of your major, likely to fill elective class requirements. You could also take additional business courses after you earn your degree at a different school.
Whatever you choose to do, I hope that you reach your goals and enjoy success.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
yen
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Erik’s Answer
The schools you listed are all great. I believe you should follow your passion, and if that is engineering focus on engineering. If you have the time and energy you can add the minor in business. Many engineers do an MBA later in life, often sponsored by the corporations they work for, so you can get your engineering degree and if you land in a business related role during your career, there is still an opportunity to add the business focus.
Thank you for your insight!
yen
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Shreya’s Answer
yes, potentially — but I would treat the business minor as a bonus, not the main plan. Civil engineering already gives you a strong, employable technical degree, and adding business makes the most sense if you’re interested in construction management, project management, real estate development, infrastructure finance, consulting, or eventually leadership/ownership roles. The combination is generally feasible at many of your target schools, but CE is rigid enough that the minor should only happen if it does not hurt your GPA, internships, technical electives, or time to graduate.
This was super helpful, thank you!
yen
Updated
Dilyn’s Answer
Hi Yen!
I went through something similar in college. I studied Industrial Engineering and also got a minor in Business Administration. It might not be as tough as it seems. Many engineering programs already include business classes, so you might just need a few extra courses to earn that minor. I could have also gotten a minor in Statistics with just one more class, but I chose not to because it wasn't my favorite. As you start college and explore different classes, you'll likely find this achievable. It's a fantastic idea, and you can definitely do it! Best of luck!
I went through something similar in college. I studied Industrial Engineering and also got a minor in Business Administration. It might not be as tough as it seems. Many engineering programs already include business classes, so you might just need a few extra courses to earn that minor. I could have also gotten a minor in Statistics with just one more class, but I chose not to because it wasn't my favorite. As you start college and explore different classes, you'll likely find this achievable. It's a fantastic idea, and you can definitely do it! Best of luck!
Thank you for the encouragement and advice!
yen
Updated
Harry’s Answer
Hi Yen. Yes, you could do that, but I ask why? Go for your major in Civil Engineering and forget the minor. Having a business minor is OK, but it won't open any extra doors for you. If you are applying for an engineering job, it really isn't going to benefit you much in getting that interview. Also, chances are that you will hopefully be doing an internship, which will open more doors. That is where your Major is most important. You can always take business courses - which I do recommend! That can be a footnote on your letter of introduction and resume.
Good luck, Yen!
Good luck, Yen!
I've always loved the idea of architecture and civil engineering but I also have an interest in culinary. I plan to minor in business because in the future, I do want to open up my own bakery/cafe. So is it not worth it to minor in business and just take certain courses instead?
yen
Good morning, Yen.
To Degree or not to Degree, that is the question! If you get a minor in business, will that make you a better baker or make your bakery more successful? My opinion is no. Taking a lot of business courses and understanding the challenges of running any business is what is most important. You are not going to hang a shingle on the bakery wall that says "Minor in Business."
You might not realize the bakery for another 10+ years. There is plenty of time to gather a lot of general business knowledge. Plus, working as an engineer may give you practical experience - which is the best kind of education. You can also tap into the SBA and get help for a good understanding of the challenges that you will face when the time comes. Good luck Yen and keep your dreams alive!
Harry Clapeck
Thank you so much for the advice! I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.
yen
Updated
Akhilesh’s Answer
Hi Yen,
Civil engineering is a fantastic field with a bright future. Combining it with business skills is a smart move for the future, but always keep up with new tech trends. I suggest starting with a major in civil engineering and seeing the business minor as a valuable addition. If you can find a program that offers a clear path to a business or construction management minor, that's great. If not, you can gain similar skills through electives, internships, or student leadership roles. Later, you might consider an MBA or project management. Remember, internships in civil engineering will boost your career more than the minor alone, so focus on finding the best civil engineering program that suits you.
Civil engineering is a fantastic field with a bright future. Combining it with business skills is a smart move for the future, but always keep up with new tech trends. I suggest starting with a major in civil engineering and seeing the business minor as a valuable addition. If you can find a program that offers a clear path to a business or construction management minor, that's great. If not, you can gain similar skills through electives, internships, or student leadership roles. Later, you might consider an MBA or project management. Remember, internships in civil engineering will boost your career more than the minor alone, so focus on finding the best civil engineering program that suits you.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
yen
Updated
Jason’s Answer
I think so it’s good to differentiate you self with multiple skill sets. I did my degree in EE at UCLA and went into management consulting. In consulting we value problem solving skill as well as business acumen, so I think it’s great to have ability to solve complex problem and able to breakdown the problem and communicate clearly.
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Morning Yen - I would encourage you to pursue the minor if you are also interested in those courses. During my undergrad, I decided to not pursue the minor, but obtained more extra-curricular experience in business (e.g. research projects and entrepreneurship classes) in addition to my civil engineering major. Now that serves me well in my role working on the business side in consulting for engineering, infrastructure, and state and local agencies at Deloitte, as well as holding a PE license. The engineering training provides a very strong foundation for learning business management concepts. Financial modeling, risk management, and others are much simpler having the structured thinking process you learn from engineering! Best of luck.
Thank you for the advice and insight!
yen