3 answers
Gianni
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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Is it worth taking the time in a college or university for engineering?
Hi my name is Gianni and I’m a 8th grade middle school student and I want to learn more about Civil Engineering and my question is is it worth taking the time in college or university to get the career?
I also want to know what are the challenges in the job?
And the last thing I want to know is what are the chances of getting the job right out of college?
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3 answers
Art Allen
Retired Mechanical engineer
10
Answers
Mead, Washington
Updated
Art’s Answer
Yes to become an engineer you usually need a Bachelor of science ( 4 or 5 years)degree (in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil engineering etc.) you could start as an Engineering Technician with a two year degree, get hired then take classes to get an Engineering degree. A Engineering Technician may end up doing the same job as an engineer at the same rate but less likely.
Civil engineers work more with the General Public in Buildings, Transportation systems, land development, this requires a license (PE, or Professional Engineer)that in turn requires a BS in engineering (in your case a BSCE Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) and years of experience. A civil engineering Technician can work on survey crew, drafting plans & writing specifications (plans and specifications are the Recipe for buildings and engineering projects), Construction inspection and management and other work under the supervision of licensed engineers.
If High paying is an important thing for you you might reconsider the scope of that importance, Striving for better pay thru-out your career has not proven to provide a happy life. A career such as Civil engineering a people helping career can make you happy if focused on your abilities and your life style. your personal asset management techniques will got farther to enhance your happiness then chasing your next promotion into a deeper maze of economic drives.
Civil engineers work more with the General Public in Buildings, Transportation systems, land development, this requires a license (PE, or Professional Engineer)that in turn requires a BS in engineering (in your case a BSCE Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) and years of experience. A civil engineering Technician can work on survey crew, drafting plans & writing specifications (plans and specifications are the Recipe for buildings and engineering projects), Construction inspection and management and other work under the supervision of licensed engineers.
If High paying is an important thing for you you might reconsider the scope of that importance, Striving for better pay thru-out your career has not proven to provide a happy life. A career such as Civil engineering a people helping career can make you happy if focused on your abilities and your life style. your personal asset management techniques will got farther to enhance your happiness then chasing your next promotion into a deeper maze of economic drives.
Mark Eagle
CTO
34
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Starting to explore your interests in 8th grade is a fantastic idea! Dive into the world of Civil Engineering by doing a quick Google search and immersing yourself in the fascinating information you find. Grab a course catalog from any engineering school and take a peek at the exciting classes you'll get to experience. If they spark your interest, you're on the right track! With these skills, you can confidently step out of college into a rewarding, high-paying job. It's entirely within your reach!
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
484
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Gianni. I must say that I am BEYOND excited to answer this question for you.
It is worth it? In my opinion, 1000 times Yes! I graduated with my engineering degree in Systems Engineering many, many years ago. From my first job to the one I have now (which isn't an engineering role), I have seen tremendous career growth. I am 90% sure that part of what has sustained my career growth was my decision to obtain an engineering degree. What I found is that my degree gave me a lot of job flexibility, specifically, by the time I was about 5-6 years out of school, I began to recognize that there were many types of jobs that I could apply for because of my training while in college. I found that many reputable companies value someone with strong technical skills and strong problem solving skills, both of which I obtained as part of my time in college.
As I understand, your desired track is Civil Engineering. And while I understand that Civil Engineering is much more than roads, bridges and buildings, the reality is these entities are a necessary part of growth...anywhere in the world. So making that investment in yourself...in my opinion, you can't go wrong. I also love the fact that you are asking this question early in your education path. Always a good idea to have a plan. So good for you!
I do hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!
It is worth it? In my opinion, 1000 times Yes! I graduated with my engineering degree in Systems Engineering many, many years ago. From my first job to the one I have now (which isn't an engineering role), I have seen tremendous career growth. I am 90% sure that part of what has sustained my career growth was my decision to obtain an engineering degree. What I found is that my degree gave me a lot of job flexibility, specifically, by the time I was about 5-6 years out of school, I began to recognize that there were many types of jobs that I could apply for because of my training while in college. I found that many reputable companies value someone with strong technical skills and strong problem solving skills, both of which I obtained as part of my time in college.
As I understand, your desired track is Civil Engineering. And while I understand that Civil Engineering is much more than roads, bridges and buildings, the reality is these entities are a necessary part of growth...anywhere in the world. So making that investment in yourself...in my opinion, you can't go wrong. I also love the fact that you are asking this question early in your education path. Always a good idea to have a plan. So good for you!
I do hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!