Civil Engineering

The civil engineer's job begins with the consideration of a need. It may be the need to relieve a town from increasing traffic, to provide clean water for an isolated community, or to build a bridge and provide better access. The civil engineer investigates possible sites, analyzes soil and rock samples, predicts environmental impacts, and consults the local community. The civil engineer recommends the best options to meet the need and the design process begins. Computers have become increasingly important in design, allowing the civil engineer to produce detailed drawings of projects and predictions of long term effects. On site, they are employed to oversee the work. Civil Engineers organize and supervise the workforce, plant, materials, and ensure that projects are completed as designed and planned within the promised budget and timeline.