4 answers
Jaxon
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What was the smartest thing you did in high school that helped you secure your dream job ?
I am a sophomore in high school and I was wondering if there’s anything special I should be doing to make it easier for me to become a civil engineer.
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4 answers
Alyson H
Consultant
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Alyson’s Answer
Hi Jaxon,
For me it was not so much about my dream job as it is my dream life. Finding somewhere with good work life balance can take time, but putting long hours in when I was younger allowed me to relax more a few years down the road. I had to go through a few careers before finding what I was good at as well. Internships and co-ops in this process definitely help as you can get a fell for the role and the company before committing. As an engineer, my job can tend to be on the high stress side so finding a place you feel like you have the mentorship to be successful within the company was helpful for me. In my experience companies were more likely to hire a technical degree, regardless of the role so if you decide to go another direction later down the road you have that as an advantage. Best of Luck!
For me it was not so much about my dream job as it is my dream life. Finding somewhere with good work life balance can take time, but putting long hours in when I was younger allowed me to relax more a few years down the road. I had to go through a few careers before finding what I was good at as well. Internships and co-ops in this process definitely help as you can get a fell for the role and the company before committing. As an engineer, my job can tend to be on the high stress side so finding a place you feel like you have the mentorship to be successful within the company was helpful for me. In my experience companies were more likely to hire a technical degree, regardless of the role so if you decide to go another direction later down the road you have that as an advantage. Best of Luck!
Aimé Barcillon
site engineering and structural engineering
5
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Aimé’s Answer
Hello,
I am a civil engineer but to be honest I did not really plan to become one at the first place.
I wanted to become an aircraft engineer so I tried to have good grades in mathematics, physics and engineering sciences courses.
After highschool I went to a kind of "preppy" school where I learn even more about those topics for two years.
I went to college in France so I needed to pass competitive exams to get into the school I wanted to carry out my aircraft engineering studies.
I was not admitted but I passed other exams for other school in several engineering fields.
I was not at ease enough to become a mechanical or an electronics engineer which were the main options, so I decide to go to a civil engineering school where I passed 3 more years until I got my engineering degree.
Once in a civil engineering school it is important to find good interships related to the fields you prefer, I did two interships within a piling and tunneling contractor and one in a laboratory of rock mechanics.
Once I got my degree I got a full time job within the same underground works contractor where I did my interships.
I hope my experience clarify a little bit what you can expect from now if you want to become a civil engineer.
Cheers
I am a civil engineer but to be honest I did not really plan to become one at the first place.
I wanted to become an aircraft engineer so I tried to have good grades in mathematics, physics and engineering sciences courses.
After highschool I went to a kind of "preppy" school where I learn even more about those topics for two years.
I went to college in France so I needed to pass competitive exams to get into the school I wanted to carry out my aircraft engineering studies.
I was not admitted but I passed other exams for other school in several engineering fields.
I was not at ease enough to become a mechanical or an electronics engineer which were the main options, so I decide to go to a civil engineering school where I passed 3 more years until I got my engineering degree.
Once in a civil engineering school it is important to find good interships related to the fields you prefer, I did two interships within a piling and tunneling contractor and one in a laboratory of rock mechanics.
Once I got my degree I got a full time job within the same underground works contractor where I did my interships.
I hope my experience clarify a little bit what you can expect from now if you want to become a civil engineer.
Cheers
Duana Love, P.E.
Chief Engineer
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Duana’s Answer
Excellent question! Consider joining an organization, club or interest group for engineering. Networking with students and engineering professionals will help nurture your interests and afford you valuable exposure to industry resources. Many organizations have robust student chapters and adopt-a-school programs. Wishing you all the best!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2430
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a very smart question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore the college review on civil engineering and the entry criteria
2. Shortlist a few college you would to apply
3. Analyse the entry criteria of these college
4. Focuses on the development subjects and areas that these colleges’ entry criteria focus and work hard
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore the college review on civil engineering and the entry criteria
2. Shortlist a few college you would to apply
3. Analyse the entry criteria of these college
4. Focuses on the development subjects and areas that these colleges’ entry criteria focus and work hard
Hope this helps! Good Luck!