Hmm, time to pick majors/colleges..

G

GarageBoy

Joined
May 23, 2003
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How far does Civil Engineering get a man these days? I was thinking of Architectural Engineering, but not many schools offer it. Thanks
 
My wife did a degree in civil engineering and she enjoyed it. Before that she was a trainee civil engineer and she said she drove trucks and all and was having a blast.

Right now though, it's hard for her to get a job. Most of the jobs are in big cities here in the UK. We don't live in a big city. Plus, since we're married she doesn't want to travel that much.

Most probably your first job will involve a lot of travelling while they train you in different sites. So if you're up to that then you can go anywhere.

In terms of what you learn, i think the hardest for her was the Structural engineering part. What she enjoyed the most was geotechnics. I think it should be quite an enjoyable degree since you actually learn real world application. I've learned quite a bit about civil engineering 'cos she constantly goes on and on about it and it does sound interesting sometimes. I can't really stop her though 'cos i talk to her about forensics more than she does about civil engineering.
 
Electronics engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets.
:D

I think that there will always be good opportunities for engineers.

But if you want something in particular, apply to those Universities that offer that specific degree, AS WELL AS others which you can use as backup.

good luck.
 
17 is WAY too young to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. No matter what anyone tells you; your parents, your school counselor, your coach... you DON'T HAVE to decide NOW!

Seriously.

Go to college for three or four semesters and take a variety of your general education classes: sociology, psychology, biology, astronomy... THEN decide.

Seriously.

Even if you took some of this stuff in High School, it's DIFFERENT in college. High School has you memorize facts and learn the basics. College teaches you what real people are DOING in these fields and what the potential is. Learning anything in High School is pretty uninspiring. Just the opposite is true in College. What bored you in High School might FASCINATE you in college.

Seriously.

Besides, you grow, mature, change into a different person during your college years. Your values may change. The things that excite and interest you may change.

Lots of people, including myself, wish they'd done something different with their lives once they've gotten over the novelty of the choice they actually made. Don't make that mistake.


One more thing...




Money isn't everything. I make good money. I'd easily take a pay cut to do something meaningful with my life that I'd enjoy. I'd have to go back to school.

You should try to get it right the first time.

Seriously. ;)

.
 
Yes, I understand. Henceforth why I wanted something to do with buildings. I still need to pick a major to pick a school
 
Do you have the aptitude and interest is science and engineering ? If so go to a school that has a good reputation for that. By the time I was 12 I knew I was heading for that .Aptitude is important ,if you have a difficulty in math and science you would have a problem .Don't wonder through school ,pick a major and get your degree.You can always at any time in life , change your profession !! If you don't have a goal in school you'll probably drop out.
 
I've taken AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B and AP Physics C, breezed through regents exams and I'm currently taking AP Chem and Statistics, so yes, I like Sciences. Also spent a summer at this useless program at Polytechnic University, but, hey, it was a ..unique experience
 
I think what a lot of people said here really makes sense. A lot of people think that they know what they want to do until they go into university. I had that same problem.

I was always afraid of chemistry. Probably because of secondary school. So i decided to pursue a mathematical degree. ACTUARIAL SCIENCE. Damn it. It was boring and hard. I didn't do too well but i did graduate. After that i decided i'd do what i really wanted to do. Forensic science. So i took that on when i was 23 and graduated with a first. Now at 26 i really know what i want to do. Lab work forensic science. Although at interviews it is difficult for me to explain why i changed and how come there's such a major difference between the grades i achieved for the 2 degrees.

Anyway, what i'm trying to say is it is difficult to pass a degree doing something you don't like. But when you really find that subject or area that you enjoy, everything is a breeze. So decide carefully. It's still early for you.
 
The way that the law works a civil engineer needs to sign off on any major building project. That covers major buildings, bridges etc. It is a pretty secure profession and allows you a wider range of places to live than say electronics. A lot of what is done is to check things by formula to see if they are srtrong enough and up to code. If you work for a county government it is dull work, but secure. It is usually lower in gee whiz factor than designing the latest computer. On the other hand when you chase the bleeding edge of computer technology the schedule pressure is horrendous and the jobs are getting exported to China and India lately.

If you want to go into design work an important aptitude is visualizing things. It has some things in common with art. It is a good sign if you try and sketch, draft, or doodle when you are finding solutions to problems. Mathematical analysis is great, but you need to come up with new ideas to analyze if you want to be a design engineer.
 
My father is a civil engineer, he's a project manager at his firm. According to him, there are tons of projects comming up around Waikiki and stuff. And that they are more busy than before the war (when had plenty japan money comming). I think he's brought in 5 people recently and he says it's still not enough.
 
If your first goal is to make money at a desk job, go with an engineering degree. Sorry to be so blunt. But I am an architect (by day) and though it does pay better than the garbage man...it's not comparable to an engineer's pay (w/ equiv. experience).


FYI - In most states, an architect's signature is required on all commercial projects and sometimes even large residential projects.


If you're a control freak, you'll enjoy being an architect. Even though there's a pay gap.....You hire the Civil Engineer and not the other way around. :D :p (putting on flame suit)


Re: artist tendencies

My employ as an architect, though art-related, to date hasn't satisfied my "creative impulses". Hence, the knifemaking on the side. So, whether or not you're "artsy-fartsy" doesn't really matter. You need to know math to be an architect, and most architects tend to be a bit nerdy anyway....:o


BTW, I'm not knocking engineering degrees (I majored in Mech. Engineering before I switched to Architecture). The biggest difference is whether or not you have the drive to design....to create. If you do, then go to Architecture. If you don't have it and don't want it, avoid Architecture. It's a very demanding degree. Medical and Law students have nothing on architecture students. Reading/writing/testing is a whole lot different from the mental anguish of designing and creating - very time and energy consuming. Most college classes go by the "one hour of classtime = 2 hours of homework". Med/Law students are 1:3. Architecture students typically spend 10 hours in studio and around 40 hours outside of class, just for design project (not counting your other classes). I lost track of the days I just plain-out worked through the night. But I went into it knowing that upfront. Didn't scare me then. Fond memories now. :D

Go talk to some Architects and Civil Engineers to see what it's really like in the profession, and go with your gut feeling.

Best of luck!
 
Engineering is a good choice. And correct me if I am wrong but I believe that engineering is a major you really do have to declare in your freshman year of college because of the course load..
 
I'm with Fulloflead. It sounds like you are set on an area of study, a fine achievement for such a young person. But don't get locked in too early. Few people actually end up with carreers in their major anyway.

I still need to pick a major to pick a school
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I gotta say that this absolutely not true. At most colleges you can remain "undeclaired" for two or three semesters. I was Undeclaired for a year and a half and still graduated in four years, but with a demanding major you may not graduate on schedule. Switching majors isn't the end of the world either, but if you make a drastic change you may end up extending your graduation.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
LOL...:D


Bob,

I attended my first quarter of college in 1989....graduated in 2000. Went through 4 changes in major. Have a Masters.....and lots of great memories....:D.....but, dang...sure did take my time. :rolleyes:
 
Even transferring to different universities works better than it used to. In the past you'd lose a lot of time because of credit hours that wouldn't transfer. Nowadays it seems as long as you stay in the same state, most credits will transfer intact.

In college my primary goal was to graduate within four years. Even spending two semesters off-campus, that was plenty enough for me. I've thought about going back to college or a technical school, but I seriously doubt that I have the patience to sit for an hour. :)

-Bob
 
Dangit Bob... you're missing the point, ( ;) :D ) ya gotta switch your major at least once or twice. Staying in school (beer, girls, parties, beer, girls, beer, more girls if you're lucky) is FAR preferable to the "real world". Damn, I wish I was back in college.
 
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