Civil Engineer
Build a future that lasts. This month marks World Green Building Week, a global celebration of sustainable construction and the people shaping greener, smarter cities. In honour of this, our career of the month is: Civil Engineer! From roads and railways to bridges, schools and water systems, Civil Engineers design, build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps the world moving. If you love problem-solving and want a career that leaves a lasting mark on the world around you, this could be the path for you.
Let’s lay the foundations for your future…
Job Description
Salary (Avg.) £45,000
Civil Engineers plan, design and oversee construction projects of all shapes and sizes, from housing developments and schools to major transport links and flood defences. You could specialise in areas such as structural, transportation, geotechnical or environmental engineering, working across office, site and lab settings. Civil Engineers work closely with architects, surveyors and construction teams, using technical software to model designs, calculate loads and solve problems before and during construction. No two projects are ever the same, and your work will help shape communities for generations to come.
Qualifications and Skills
There are several routes into civil engineering, giving you flexibility in how you get there.
- University route: A degree in Civil Engineering accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is the most common route, typically requiring A-Levels including Maths and Physics.
- Apprenticeship route: A Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn, combining part-time study with paid, hands-on experience.
- College route: A Level 3 qualification, such as a BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment, can also lead into engineering roles or further study.
Once qualified, many Civil Engineers go on to become Chartered or Incorporated Engineers through the ICE, which can open doors to more senior and specialist roles.
What you can be doing now
You don’t need to wait until university to start building your future. Maths and Physics are key subjects for this career, so keep building your confidence in these areas at school. Getting hands-on with design and technology projects, or trying out CAD software, can also give you a taste of how engineers bring ideas to life. Look out for STEM clubs, engineering taster days or work experience placements with local construction firms and councils – these are great ways to see the profession in action. Problem-solving puzzles, model-building and teamwork activities all help build the skills you’ll rely on as a Civil Engineer.
Lay the groundwork for a rewarding career and become a Civil Engineer!
