Students

Civil Engineering Professionals

Below are details about the field of study you have chosen to explore, as well as some potential careers.

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Civil Engineering Professionals

Civil Engineering Professionals design, plan, organise and oversee the construction of civil engineering projects such as dams, bridges, pipelines, gas and water supply schemes, sewerage systems, roads, airports and other structures; analyse the likely behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures and design structural foundations; analyse the statical properties of all types of structures and test the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction; plan and develop transportation systems; and estimate and monitor the construction costs of projects.

Fun facts

  • Strong Future Growth
  • 2211 Weekly Pay Before Tax
  • 90% full-time Full-Time Share
  • 12% female Gender Share

Tasks

There are many tasks done by civil engineering professionals. A few are listed below:

  • determining construction methods, materials and quality standards, and drafting and interpreting specifications, drawings, plans, construction methods and procedures
  • organising and directing site labour and the delivery of construction materials, plant and equipment, and establishing detailed programs for the coordination of site activities
  • obtaining soil and rock samples at different depths across sites and testing samples to determine strength, compressibility and other factors that affect the behaviour of soil and rock when a structure is imposed and determining the safe loading for the soil
  • studying architectural and engineering drawings and specifications to estimate total costs, and preparing detailed cost plans and estimates as tools to assist in budgetary control
  • monitoring changes to designs, assessing effects on cost, and measuring, valuing and negotiating variations to designs
  • analysing structural systems for both static and dynamic loads
  • designing structures to ensure they do not collapse, bend, twist or vibrate in undesirable ways
  • assessing present and future travel flow patterns taking into account population increase and needs change
  • designing the physical aspects of transportation systems such as highways, railroads, urban transit, air transportation, logistical supply systems and their terminals

Specific occupations

  • Civil Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Structural Engineer
  • Transport Engineer
  • Building Economist
  • Construction Economist
  • Airfield Engineer Officer (Air Force)
  • Hydraulics Engineer

Women in STEM

Jo Withford

"I always wanted to help people, and as an engineer I am certainly doing that by making sure the road infrastructure is well maintained, and that any project that involves my management is beneficial to the community."

Jo Withford

Senior Project Engineer

Elizabeth Scott

"I knew I wanted to work in the water industry because water is so important to the health of the community and the environment."

Elizabeth Scott

Water Engineer

Jessica Dennien

"Choose a career that you’ll enjoy!"

Jessica Dennien

Design Engineer

Davina Rooney, Civil Engineer

Emily De La Pena, Civil Engineer and Entrepreneur

Ella Gross, Water Design Engineer