In the present times, choosing the right major and the right career is one of the biggest challenges of the students. The world has become a place for utmost competition among the students. The youngsters hunt for the right major in college, so that they get the best possible opportunity at work. Civil engineering is one of the most popular majors in the entire world, across nations and communities.
It is one major that can be found in the list of courses of all the major colleges and universities of the entire globe. However, as a major, the stream of study needs to be scrutinized for the associated pros and cons.
One can take into consideration the various positive aspects that are associated with a job in the field of civil engineering. This is one field of work that ensures that the demand for civil engineers is never on the wane. One has to understand the fact that the world society is in a process of continuous expansion. Hence, there is continuous work in all over the world that develops constructions like buildings, dams, bridges, roads, and so on. In such construction works, civil engineers are of paramount importance.
Their expertise in the field of work makes them very important for the governments and also the private construction companies across the globe. It would not be wrong to opine that civil engineers play a key role in any developmental work in a nation state or society.
Thus, one can be very sure of the fact that he or she would readily find a job after passing from the college with the major in context. Moreover, there is always scope for betterment and promotion in this field of work. Every bit of experience in this domain of work would pay off in the long run for the civil engineer. The opportunity for employment is very attractive for many as they do not require higher education to hunt for jobs.
The civil engineers have the opportunity of working in the macroscopic view. This stands in stark juxtaposition to the scope of engineers with other majors like chemical and biological domains who work in microscopic scales. The major of civil engineering is also one of the largest and oldest branches of engineering. The scope of work for civil engineers is extremely encouraging for one and all- something that adds to the popularity and success of this major of studies in the present day society.
Apart from the scope of advancement with regard to one’s career, civil engineering is an above average sector of employment. The civil engineers of the society hold their own paramount position among their peers. It was estimated that the average annual salary of all civil engineers in May, 2012, was $84,140 as per the data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The top-end pay of civil engineers was even more attractive with ten percent of the civil engineers making almost above $122,020 every year through their service. Apart from this, it can be very well comprehended that self-employment is an option that opens avenues for top-level earning potential. The largest sector within the domain of civil engineering is architectural engineering. It is quite astounding to know that the average pay of every person working in this domain of work is $86,170. (Kokemuller)
It has to be taken into consideration that several civil engineers make very significant contributions to the infrastructural evolution by their designs of buildings. This is a great way to contribute to the betterment of mankind and advancement of the world society.
Thus, civil engineers have the golden opportunity to play a major role in the society by making plans for environmentally friendly roads, sewage projects, and waterways. During the process of developing and designing the structures, the civil engineers can incorporate their concerns for the impact on the environment of the world.
Thus, one can very well opine that there are many potential positives of studying civil engineering a major. It is bound to offer the student a huge opening to the world of opportunities. The student would not only prosper at the personal level having the opportunity to work with the highest pay in the domain of engineering, he or she would also have the chance to work in favor of societal development with all efforts.
However, one can also take into consideration the various cons that are associated with the major of civil engineering. It is always better to have a close introspection about the negatives of a field of study or work, so that it is possible to get a holistic perspective regarding the matter.
One has to understand that at the very initial stage of the career, the student with a major of civil engineering would require to work really hard both on and off the field to hone his or her skills and gain more experience.
Apart from this, it can be so that the civil engineer requires staying and working in remote areas as the work involves structural development of the area. The job of a civil engineer involves a lot of risk and cost. Thus, the work goes on to involve a lot of pressure as the liability can be quite high on any error.
The job of a civil engineer can in no way be described as a tie and suit job that would entail the comforts of the office and the quiet ambiance with peace. Rather, the person who is a civil engineer would require to work day in and day out. The person would require wearing helmets and other protective gear to supervise the construction work going on at the site.
There are, in fact, several downsides in the field of study and work that need to be considered by one and all before opting for the discourse of civil engineering. It has to be kept in mind that the civil engineers are presently facing new problems continuously in their fields of work. Environmental engineering is one such problematic domain of work for the engineers.
It has to be understood that the amounts of pollution is increasing majorly over time owing to the new developments in mode of transportation in the past century. The manufacturing industries do not indulge in taking the necessary precautions so that minimal damage is done to the environment.
Apart from this the exceptional growth in communities creates heavy burdens for transportation engineers. Space becomes very limited as an obvious consequence, and transportation systems become more confined in nature.
Thus, there are several negatives also that are involved with the work of a civil engineer. One has to weigh the pros and cons before opting for the course of civil engineering in the college. The utility of the course might vary from person to person. Someone might not find the cons involved with the work of a civil engineer to be so much problematic, while the pros might come across to be very attractive.
On the other hand, for certain people, working on the sites sans the comforts of a well-furnished office can come across as not so viable an option. For such persons, civil engineering is definitely not the cup of tea.
However, if one is to give an objective judgment regarding the choice of civil engineering as a major and a potential career in future, it is obvious that it would come across as quite a positive choice to make. In a world society, where there is immense competition to succeed in life with flying colors, choosing the correct path is a huge thing. The major of civil engineering provides the perfect prospects for the individuals who wish to shine in life.
Civil engineering, thus, is a very prospective domain of studies for students. Students should try to excel in this field of studies, so that they find employment in the very best of the companies dealing in construction work. When it comes to a career, people should aim at the highest level of development. With gathering of more experience and age, the civil engineers would find better avenues for advancement in their career and life.
It would not be an overstatement to opine that civil engineering is one of the most prospective and popular fields of engineering studies in the entire world. Its importance across nations and communities testify the usefulness and prospects of the path of study. It is a good decision to go for a major in civil engineering.
Works Cited
Kokemuller, Neil. “Pros & Cons of Careers in Civil Engineering.” Chron. Work.chron.com, n.d.
Web. 19 April 2015.
“Civil Engineering Pros/Cons.” n.p., n.d. Web. 19 April 2015.
“Pros and Cons of being a Civil engineer.” Civil Engineering Blog. Thecivilengg.com, 1 Sept.
2011. Web. 19 April 2015.
Zweig, Mark C. “Career Path Pros and Cons.” Cenews. Cenews.com, January 2013. Web. 19
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