Nature of Work
A civil engineer deals with the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and other structures such as bridges, canals, dams, roads etc. A civil engineer may also be engaged in land surveying.
Besides construction engineering, civil engineers can now specialise in environmental engineering (treatment of chemical, biological, and/or thermal waste etc.),geotechnical engineering (engineering concerned with the rock and soil), hydraulic engineering (flow and conveyance of fluids, particularly water), structural engineering (concerned with the structural design and structural analysis of buildings in terms of load etc.) And , transportation engineering (engineering concerned with movement of people and goods efficiently thus construction of infrastructure such as railways, airports etc).
Growth Opportunities
Civil engineers usually work near major industrial and commercial centers, often at construction sites. They can find jobs in Government departments, private and public sector industries, research and teaching institutions etc. Administrative or supervisory jobs are held by many civil engineers while others work in devising, composing, constructing etc or they can also open their own independent consultancy services.
Market Scenario
Construction of residential dwellings has been increasing since last few decades also partly as a result of easy housing loan facilities. Civil engineers can thus work with large construction companies, such as DLF and UNITECH and work on new urban projects. Engineers with technical expertise are in great demand for managerial functions too, and in the area of project and production management. Moreover, an engineer with some experience can set up his / her own small unit / company or consultancy.
Within India
As per the estimates of IIT Madras, with transportation engineering field gaining more and more importance, the job prospects are bright. Potential employers include both public and private sector organisations such as Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Indian Railways, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L & T), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) etc
Many civil engineers join the government sector. The Indian Engineering Services (IES) recruits personnel for different Group A Services of the Central Government such as :Central Engineering Service. , Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group-A (Civil Engineering Posts).,Central Water Engineering Service (Civil Engineering Posts).,Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Engineering Branch) (Civil Engineering Posts).,Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Stores Service (Civil Engineering Posts), Military Engineer Service (IDSE — Building and Roads Cadre).
Overseas:
There is a high demand for experienced civil engineers in developed countries. The period through 2012 is projected to hold growth and potential for civil engineers. Due to the growth of population and the need for better infrastructural as well as security services, civil engineers will be required to build and design larger and safer buildings, complexes, automobiles, as well as more durable water supply, sewage and pollution control mechanisms. Repairing existing roads, dams and other public conveniences will also be a major work allotment.
