Welcome to Civil Engineering!

Typical Jobs

Civil engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and management of the built environment. The field is very interdisciplinary and encompasses six distinct disciplines plus numerous related fields: Construction Engineering and Project Management, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. Most civil engineering jobs require competencies in two or more of these disciplines. For example, a structural engineer who is designing a building needs to have strong geotechnical skills so that they can connect their building to a properly designed foundation. Civil engineers’ work often requires solutions that address public health, safety, and welfare, as well as considers cultural, social, global, and sustainable factors. 

Civil engineers are employed by design consulting firms, municipalities and other government agencies, water districts, general contractors, utility companies, transportation departments, and research labs. Professional licensure is important for most civil engineering jobs, especially those that require design work. An engineered structure cannot be built unless a licensed engineer approves it. The licensure process requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, passing the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, and obtaining work experience under the supervision of another qualified licensed engineer. Licensure is state-specific and some states, like California, require engineers to pass special exams as part of the PE exam. Other certificates and licenses are available for certain disciplines, especially in construction engineering and project management.

How Your Degree Helps Society

Civil engineers make a big difference in our lives. They have great responsibility in contributing to the health and welfare of society. Civil engineers help ensure that people have clean air and water, safe structures and bridges, and effective modes of transportation. Sustainability is quite important in all civil engineering fields.  

Student Clubs

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department has a strong culture of student club activities. We have student chapters of several professional organizations American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE),  National Civil Engineering Honors Society (Chi Epsilon), American General Contractors (AGC). As part of these clubs and others, we have many activities and competitions against other universities. Some of these competitions include designing and building a steel bridge, a concrete canoe, and a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall.  

Contact

For more information, feel free to contact the CE Office and they will direct you to the correct person. Email them at civil-engineering@sjsu.edu.