Civil Engineering Career Training: Help with Tomorrow's Infrastructure

One of the oldest engineering professions, civil engineering has been a hallmark of human existence since people began putting roofs over their heads. Civil engineers design and build structures such as bridges, roads, canals, houses, transportation hubs, and sewage systems. They're responsible for overseeing construction teams, controlling costs, and taking into account factors like natural disasters and pollution.

Career Training and Job Outlook in Civil Engineering
Most civil engineers hold a bachelor's degree or higher in the field. More than one-third of civil engineering graduates in the United States go on to earn advanced college degrees, such as a master's degree, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Students traditionally take courses in subjects like surveying, thermodynamics, transportation engineering, and computer-aided design. Working professionals may choose to complete all or part of their studies on their own time through an online program that leads to bachelor's degrees in civil engineering.

Graduates of two-year associate's degree programs can work as civil engineering technicians, assisting engineers with construction projects. A PhD is essential for those seeking a research or teaching position.

The median yearly salary for civil engineers in the United States was $74,600 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median yearly salary for civil engineering technicians was $44,290.