Start A Career In Civil Engineering With Your Science Degree!
May 11, 2010 by Natasha Bright
Filed under Online Colleges
Of all the engineering disciplines, civil is the largest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are over 278,000 of them in the U.S. It will stay that way for some time to come, thanks to several stimulus packages put forth by President Obama this year, some with quite a bit of emphasis on online education.
Civil engineers can be best described as the people who bridge between the architect and the construction team. They implement designs and supervise the construction of anything from a sewer system to an airport to a private home. They pay attention to everything – brick and mortar, ventilation, plumbing, even the parking lot. They must also weigh what they’re doing against the expected lifetime of the project, keeping in mind federal to local bylaws and possible destruction from natural disasters. These days the effects of disaster encompass terrorism. If you need more information about science bachelor degree, look on the internet.
In many ways, this form of engineering should be considered one of the oldest ones; pretty much coming into creation the first time our ancient ancestors started building aqueducts, roads and monuments. The field now divides into arenas of specialization including water resources, transportation, structural, construction and geotechnical engineering. They work in a decision-making capacity, from managing a construction site to overall urban planning. Others work in design, research, and teaching positions in what might be considered a more theoretical capacity.
The Bureau also states that job growth in the civil engineering field is going to be exceptionally higher than average, with an expected need of 24% more than what is currently available by 2018. A major reason for this is a recent stimulus initiative proposed by Obama this January. It projects $10.5 billion that will mainly go towards five different professions; with civil engineering being the first of the five. They will be employed in upgrading and just plain building new roads and other public structures.
A person who wants to become a civil engineer needs a math and natural science background. Learning drafting and CAD is essential. While still undergraduates, students should keep an eye out for work-study and internship programs with companies, as they provide hands-on experience that recruiters feel is also necessary for a successful career. Another training ground for civil engineers is the military, which has experience with everything from temporary bridges to the Tennessee Valley Authority, especially the Corp of Engineers.
Even after getting a four year degree, there’s more. There is a certification process from the main professional organization, the American Society of Civil Engineers. Online education usually plays a big role here, as the young engineer has to put in one to two years of work while studying for the certification exam. This has its advantages as the online school usually includes many CAD simulations comparable to the occupation, making the test process easier. There is an abundance of information about online graduate programs on the web.
A STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) profession, those looking for financial assistance can get more than just Pell grants. They apply for S-STEM aid for starters. The military and private corporations also have their share of grants. For a more complete picture of this, one should consult with a financial aid advisor, both college and military if one is considering this route.
Familiarity with computers is a must and that makes an online university nearly a breeze for those entering. All the coursework needed to get an information technology degree is there for the prospective student.