Civil Engineering graduates have many unique skills and experiences to offer employers. Civil Engineers know how to work outside the box to find unconventional and innovative solutions, and the field's combination of maths, sciences, and communication skills means that Civil Engineering graduates can pursue almost any career.
What can an Civil Engineering Graduate do?
There are many options open for Civil Engineering graduates. Statistics show that most graduates do pursue the traditional path and go on to become Civil Engineering Professionals, but there are also many other paths available. Civil Engineering graduates' strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving abilities open doors to many fields.
Graduates who choose to pursue a career as a Chartered Engineer will need to complete sufficient work experience and pass the Engineering Council Standards exam. This will certify them to design, create and build structures. Jobs as a Chartered Engineer can be found in Engineering, Science and Technology and Manufacturing and Production.
Graduates interested in pursuing other professions can easily utilise the computing and maths skills they gained during their studies. These skills are applicable to careers in Accountancy, Finance or Banking, where applicants must be able to compute large amounts of data with relative ease. Some Civil Engineering graduates also go on to find careers in business fields such as Consultancy, Management and Insurance.
Source HECSU - What do graduates do? 2013.
Taking Stock of Skills
Civil Engineering students graduate with a wealth of skills and knowledge, some of which is related specifically to Engineering, and some of which is relevant to all fields.
Attention to detail - Small details can be vital in Civil Engineering, so graduates from this field know how to observe closely. Employers are always looking for this key skill, whether it be paying attention to figures, analytics, or even spelling.
Specific technical knowledge - Civil Engineering provides graduates with a deep understanding of the intricacies of modern engineering. Maths, physics, materials and environmental engineering are all relevant areas in which Civil Engineers are qualified to work.
Communication skills - Degrees in Civil Engineering require graduates to be effective at various types of communication. This skill is important for delivering presentations, liaising with coworkers and clients, and producing research reports.
Problem solving and innovation - Civil Engineers and Civil Engineering graduates often have to think outside the box to find solutions to difficult problems. They are able to think laterally and keep an eye on the big picture, a necessary skill in a variety of sectors where individuality and innovation are required.
Numeracy and data analysis - The ability to handle numbers and data competently cannot be underestimated, and Civil Engineers have strong numeracy and data analysis skills which are relevant to many different sectors.
