3 answers
Lincoln
Student
5
Questions
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Is Civil Engineering a career that gets boring after doing it for a long time?
Do you get burnt out on doing the same work/things over and over?
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3 answers
Mohammad Asif
Civil Engineer
2
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Mohammad’s Answer
Great question that show forward thinking.
To answer, burnout can occur in may fields including civil engineering. Typically, civil engineering firms provide services to a variety of clients in public and private sectors. Having worked on both sides of the spectrum in the water and wastewater engineering field, the design and construction work varies even though it may seem similar on the surface. Each project has its own set of challenges and while working on the same thing, the location and circumstance change so they can require different thinking for the solution.
Another thing is that if some work becomes monotonous, you can always transfer groups (while staying with the same employer) or change employer altogether. Generally, engineering firms want to have expert engineers in various disciplines, but they are always open to training staff and using their time for other projects.
To answer, burnout can occur in may fields including civil engineering. Typically, civil engineering firms provide services to a variety of clients in public and private sectors. Having worked on both sides of the spectrum in the water and wastewater engineering field, the design and construction work varies even though it may seem similar on the surface. Each project has its own set of challenges and while working on the same thing, the location and circumstance change so they can require different thinking for the solution.
Another thing is that if some work becomes monotonous, you can always transfer groups (while staying with the same employer) or change employer altogether. Generally, engineering firms want to have expert engineers in various disciplines, but they are always open to training staff and using their time for other projects.
Brian Swain
Mechanical Engineer
72
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Lincoln,
While I am not a civil engineer, generally speaking burnout can happen in any career/position, it highly depends on what you can handle and adapt to. In engineering, there is a lot of pressure to get things right, but mistakes happen as we are all human. Sorry I wish i could be more helpful.
Best regards,
Brian
While I am not a civil engineer, generally speaking burnout can happen in any career/position, it highly depends on what you can handle and adapt to. In engineering, there is a lot of pressure to get things right, but mistakes happen as we are all human. Sorry I wish i could be more helpful.
Best regards,
Brian
Thanks for the help.
Lincoln
Ray von Dohren
Retired sanitary engineer
28
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ray’s Answer
No. It never gets boring if you are doing things you want to do. Civil engineering includes many disciplines. Even if you select one, in my case sanitary engineering, you can drift in to other areas depending on how your career progresses. In my case I was a project manager for wastewater projects, I created computer programs for water and wastewater projects, I shifted to construction and eventually ended up as a city engineer and finally I ran a wastewater district for 16 years. I thoroughly enjoyed my career. If I felt I was getting tied down or the situation was getting untenable, I changed jobs. I always wanted to be a city engineer or special district manager so my career went in that direction.
Engineering has one of the highest job satisfaction rating of any career. I never got bored in my career. It was very difficult at times, long hours, cranky people and lots of work, but I enjoyed it 93.47% of the time. I always felt I was blessed, because it turned out the way I wanted it to. Except you know what? My ability and personality had a little to do with it.
If you are nosy, Lincoln, if you want to touch lots of things and make them work better, if you like people, you will have a great career. For 40 years I primarily made dirty water clean. I’m proud of that. Go out there and do good things. You will enjoy it.
Engineering has one of the highest job satisfaction rating of any career. I never got bored in my career. It was very difficult at times, long hours, cranky people and lots of work, but I enjoyed it 93.47% of the time. I always felt I was blessed, because it turned out the way I wanted it to. Except you know what? My ability and personality had a little to do with it.
If you are nosy, Lincoln, if you want to touch lots of things and make them work better, if you like people, you will have a great career. For 40 years I primarily made dirty water clean. I’m proud of that. Go out there and do good things. You will enjoy it.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Lincoln