Tips to the Civil Engg. Students for a Successful Career

Take Civil Engineering as a Passion

Welcome to the Civil Engineers world. I know, you have a lot of dreams to achieve in this arena. 

You are the future Great Civil Engineer. How to attain that? Let's see.

 First understand about Civil Engineering.

Why is it called as Civil Engineering? 

Civil Engineering is the 'Mother of Engineering'. Earlier days, when science and Industries evolved, they start Engineering as two sectors. 1. Military Engineering for the Army Purpose and 2. Civil Engineering for Civil Purposes. The other branches such as Mechanical, Electrical are originated from Military Engineering and later become independent. But Civil Engineering is continuing as same.

What is Civil Engineering? - Civil Engineering is a professional discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of our man-made and naturally built environment. That includes Roads, Bridges, dams, water supply, sewerage systems, tunnels, harbors, canals, Airports, Railways, Factories, Power plants, Residential, Commercial, office and public buildings.

Civil Engineering is such a Ocean but what we have studied is like just handful of water in it. Major knowledge required to study Civil Engineering is Maths and Science. 

Why there is so much unemployment in Civil Engineering?

Now 6 Lakhs students are entering in Civil Engineering (UG) in 3200 colleges in India. In that only 1.25 Lakhs students are getting graduation at the course end. In that 1.25 Lakhs also, 93% lack the skills to get employed. That means only 8700 Engineers are fit for employment as per Industry standards (apart from IITs). This is the main reason for the unemployment. There is a mismatch between our studies and skills required for employment. 

Now as per the Growth of Construction Industry and Infrastructural development in India around 40 Lakhs Civil Engineers are required before 2030. Every 10-15 years, this trend is like seesaw effect. Unemployment prevails sometime and demand sometime. When demand increases colleges increase the seats and outcome increases. Then unemployment increases and colleges reducing the seats in Civil Engineering. Still small and medium level constructions are functioning as an unorganised sector. But now it is far better than the situation in 20 years back.

Now let us see the Tips for opportunities 

1.For bright students, opportunities are enormous. While studying UG, start preparing for competitive Exams like, GATE, IES, UPSC, ISRO, BARC, SSC, RRB, PSC and search for all Central and  State Government, PSUs Exams. If you can get through these Exams, your career will be on top.

2.If you have just passed, it is better to join any medium level or small level contractors,

Consultancy,companies as early as possible. Afterwards, your experience only matter for your growth.

Initial stage you have to work in a company with handful projects for atleast 3 years. Do not jump frequently for salary hike. That will hurt your career. If you can find an active company, then stay there for min. 3 years. Now Companies are asking that you should have completed minimum 2 projects full life cycle ( After 10 years experience) for Project Managers.

3. If you have not completed the Degree in 4 years, follow the same point-2. But completing course is very important for growth in career. Try to pass within a year after completion of the Course.

4 Now let's see how to practice independently. Now maximum Degree or Diploma Engineers choose this. But to practice privately, you need 3-5 years experience and acquire skills first. In jobs, even with less skills you can learn gradually and makeup it. But to start independently you should have good skills. If you want to start Consultancy you should know drafting, designing, Estimation, Government rules and regulations. If you want to start a small level contract company, you should know Estimation and costing, procurement knowledge, Labour management, tenders,full project cycle and Government Rules. Maximum people without this knowledge, taking contracts and struggling very much.

If you do not have these knowledge, you have to compete with Non-Technical contractors (Mistri) only.

5. Whether Job or Practice, Take Civil Engineering as Passion. Love your profession. Try to learn continuously and consistently to have a systematic growth. Do not work for quick money or instant benefits. Then in entire career, you have to run like that. Slow steady, not only wins the race, it will give you a peaceful mind and Life.

6. Now world is moving towards Digital. Civil Engineering is modernising very fast. Without computer knowledge, you can't grow in career. Acquire some basic civil software training, thorough knowledge in MS office, Autocad. Another important requirement is - Language. In India, if you want to Grow as a good Civil Engineer, You should know English (Speak, Read, write) and Hindi (Speak) well. Before completing your PG, Learn these. Cut the times in social media and use to learn these.

7.Do not compare yourself with your friends: your career with theirs. It's meaningless. You set your Goal, You learn for that, work for that. Try to understand, Everybody's ambitions, approach, character, circumstances- all are different. You concentrate yours. But you can learn skills from others.

These are the important points to remember to set your career. In the next Blogs, I'll tell you, where to and how to find jobs, how to learn skills.

All the Best!