Civil engineering as a professional discipline entails the designing, and the constructing carrying out routine tests and maintaining all structures constructed for the expediency of the civilized society. These structures include but not limited to, roads, buildings, dams bridges and canals among many others. Civil engineering seeks to improve the lives of the community by designing, constructing and maintaining the facilities are both essential and those that give a sense of estheticism in our daily lives. Consequently, civil engineers work hand in hand with architects in the designing and constructing of these structures. The designing activities carried out in class are not any more different from those done in the field except off course on the scope. The same accuracy and precision that is required in class are the same civil engineers must exhibit in the field, perhaps more because a small error in the designing of a bridge, for example, could cost lives. It is the role of the civil engineer to ensure that the materials being used for a given structure are stable and strong enough to carry the weight, accommodate the height and the design of the particular structure. It is the mandate of the civil engineer to assess, even before the structure before is raised, the impact it might have on the immediate environment in addition to its effect on the economic activity of the population in the area, bearing in mind their possible plans. By so doing, civil engineers ensure that every structure constructed is not only safe for the public but also economically viable in terms of the cost of construction and that its effects will not be detrimental to the environment. It is this group of engineers that is also mandated with the preparation of project proposals, estimating the costs likely to be incurred in developing a specific structure or a particular project. They are also expected to oversee the establishment of the type and amount, of materials required, decide on personnel requirements and estimate a project’s completion dates (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 4).
Civil engineers specialize further into more diverse fields that include; construction, geotechnical, environmental, structural, transportation and water resource. Construction engineering calls for an amalgamation of management and engineering skills, to plan and supervise the completion of the projects designed by architects. Environmental engineering, on the other hand, involves the provision of technical solutions to emerging environmental challenges. It is about designing and developing projects that will ensure the provision of safe drinking water and disposal and recycling of waste. Geotechnical engineers conduct analysis on rocks and soil where the structures to be built require to be raised. It is from their analyzes that the structural engineers are assured of stability of structures they design and construct. Transport engineering involves the planning, designing, constructing and managing of transport facilities like roads, airports, railways, and ports. Finally, water resources engineering as a specialty of civil engineering entails collecting and distributing water, containing flood water, and developing drainage and rivers. Also, an engineer could specialize further to become a surveyor. The surveyor’s job is to measure and map the areas where a given structure is intended to be constructed. The most interesting thing about civil engineering is that besides being the oldest form of engineering in the world, it is responsible for all the physical structures around the world. It is true that civil engineers are not necessarily the designers of the structures but their input ensures that the structures appear as designed and function as expected (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 6).
Civil engineering is not my major currently but had I understood the intrigue that characterizes civil engineering; I might have considered taking it as my major. I feel that there are many areas of specialization under this engineering course and hence a chance to better oneself in an area one is most comfortable with. Besides, civil engineers will continue to be required as the world population grows against the scarce resource that is land. It will require the skills of civil engineers to manage the needs of our societies. It is, therefore, safe to say that besides the opportunity to design and create magnificent and functional structures, there will always be job opportunities for civil engineers both under governments or private companies. I have come to understand that civil engineers solve problems. They manage our urban development and plan our communities so that there is clean water to drink, no traffic congestion, properly managed sewage and a clean environment. As a civil engineer, I believe I could perform a key role in improving the quality of life of my society.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Civil Engineers, 2016. 3 March 2016. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm>.
