In the olden days, people still built amazing things before we had fancy job titles. Think of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans—they were like the original civil engineers, creating structures that still leave us in awe today. Now, civil engineers are behind the scenes ensuring our cities work smoothly. They design and build everything from roads to skyscrapers. But what are the career opportunities after civil engineering? Let’s find out!
What is civil engineering?
In ancient civilisations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others, engineering activities related to construction, water management, road building, and other infrastructure projects were carried out. These activities were often performed by individuals skilled in various crafts and trades, and there wasn’t a distinct profession known as “civil engineering” as we understand it today. Have you ever noticed the old buildings during vacations or the modern bridges and skyscrapers in your city? Civil engineers make them. They create amazing structures we admire today. Long ago, this art was called something else, but now we call it civil engineering. Once we know what is civil engineering, it simplifies career decision-making processes. Then, with a good understanding of it, you can explore various career opportunities after civil engineering
Being one of the oldest professions in engineering, from when people started building things, civil engineering involves planning, building, and looking after roads, bridges, and buildings. Civil engineers work in government and private sectors, ensuring everything from local roads to big global projects runs smoothly.
What Does a Civil Engineer Do? Roles and Responsibilities
Civil engineering can be compared to the backbone of the human body. Just as the backbone provides support and structure to the human body, civil engineers design and construct the infrastructure supporting urban areas’ functionality and growth. From the towering skyscrapers that define a skyline to the underground sewer systems that keep cities clean, civil engineering forms the essential framework upon which modern society stands tall and thrives.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Civil Engineering Careers
Another thing to think about is what are the jobs after civil engineering? It would be helpful to know how much money you can make in each job to decide which one to choose.
| S.No | Role | Salary |
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Structural engineer | INR 5.8 LPA |
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Facilities engineer | INR 4.8 LPA |
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Senior civil engineer | INR 6.7 LPA |
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Materials engineer | INR 5.8 LPA |
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Engineering project manager | INR 17.2 LPA |
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Civil supervisor | INR 4 LPA |
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Senior civil designer | INR 12.8 LPA |
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City engineer | INR 3.9 LPA3 |
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Engineering manager | INR 34.6 LPA |
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Director of engineering | INR 67.1 LPA |
What Can I Do After Civil Engineering?
What else can you do with a civil engineering degree? There are a lot of career opportunities after civil engineering even if you decide you don’t want to get into core civil engineering. Let’s explore the other career options.
- Indian Armed Forces
Joining any branch of the Indian Armed Forces—the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, or the Indian Air Force—presents an excellent career option for civil engineers. Civil engineers play an important role in military services by overseeing the planning and construction of the country’s border roads. They are also tasked with building residences and offices for military personnel. Their responsibilities include constructing bunkers during wartime and strategically positioning them on the battlefield. This type of work is one of the top jobs after civil engineering.
The government examinations for entry into the Indian Armed Forces are as follows:
Indian Army – TGC or SSC
Indian Navy – SNAES
Indian Air Force – AFCAT
- Civil Services
Once you have a civil engineering degree. You can go for civil services. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) hires individuals for various civil service positions, presenting a promising career path for civil engineers. A career in civil services after completing a civil engineering degree offers numerous opportunities to contribute to society. Understanding physical infrastructure such as roads and bridges equips civil servants to effectively plan and implement public utility projects, benefiting both urban centres and rural areas.
Some of the positions held by UPSC are:
Indian Defence Accounts Services (IDAS)Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Foreign Services (IFS)
Indian Police Services (IPS)
Indian Engineering Services (IES)
Many civil services aspirants, most engineers, appear for the UPSC exam. Most of the UPSC toppers are also engineers. Civil services offer a great chance to make a difference. You can use your knowledge to improve the city and people’s lives. You can have a big impact by managing traffic and upgrading public facilities. It’s one of the best jobs after studying Civil Engineering
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
Working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) is a highly considered career path after completing a civil engineering degree, and benefits include job security, retirement benefits, and other perks. In PSUs, you can contribute to public welfare and work on significant projects. Securing a job in PSUs is often considered a preferable option due to these advantages.
To land a job in the government sector, obtaining a high score in the GATE exam is essential. Each year, various PSUs recruit fresh graduates based on their GATE scores. Some of the top PSUs for civil engineers include:
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
- Private Firms
As a civil engineer, you can start your construction firm. You can take on contracts from private individuals and government agencies to build homes, offices, and other structures. The possibilities are endless when you run your own business. With the world constantly growing and developing, there’s always a demand for construction services to create new infrastructure.
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)
NLC India Limited (NLC)
National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THCD) India Ltd
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)
Why Choose VIIT, Pune For Civil Engineering?
Choosing Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) in Pune for Civil Engineering is a decision rooted in a commitment to excellence. VIIT’s vision is centered on achieving excellence in Civil Engineering education, while its mission is geared towards nurturing competent Civil Engineers with strong professional, moral, and ethical values. The institute prioritises both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring students are equipped to meet the current and future demands of the industry, higher education, and research. At VIIT, the Department of Civil Engineering fosters holistic development, offering modern laboratories, a dedicated team of experienced professors, and a supportive learning environment. The department’s goal is not only to develop competent engineers but also to nurture a sense of ethical responsibility and societal consciousness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- Are there opportunities for Civil Engineers in infrastructure development?
Yes, Civil Engineers play crucial roles in infrastructure development projects such as roads, bridges, airports, railways, and dams, working as design engineers, project managers, or consultants.
- Can Civil Engineers work in the environmental sector?
Absolutely, Civil Engineers can specialise in environmental engineering, focusing on areas like water resources management, wastewater treatment, environmental impact assessment, and sustainable infrastructure development.
- What roles can Civil Engineers take on in the transportation sector?
Civil Engineers can work in transportation planning, traffic engineering, highway design, or public transportation projects, contributing to developing and maintaining transportation networks.
- Can Civil Engineers pursue careers in research and academia?
Certainly, Civil Engineers interested in research and academia can work as professors, researchers, or scientists in universities, research institutes, or private organisations, contributing to advancements in the field.
- What are the top career opportunities in the construction industry for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers can pursue careers as project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, or construction managers in the construction industry.