Is there design work in Civil Engineering?

[new_injuneer]

I am in my mid 30s and have worked in the Environmental Field for several years.

I have an Environmental Science degree and also a masters in a related field. I am considering going and getting a 2nd bachelors in Civil Engineering so I can eventually get a PE. I think this will help in the Environmental Field, but...

I would ultimately like to do design if I go back and get another degree: infrastructure, buildings, streets, etc.

My question is: Are there jobs out there for Civil Engineers to do that and what is the likelihood I would be able to get one? Aren't there no jobs because of no infrasturcture being built during the recession? I looked on Monster.com and there are like 4 openings for Civil Engineers in the NYC Metro Area. Ridiculous.

I'm not sure it would be worth it to get a 2nd degree if I would just be doing the same thing I'm doing now.

 

[roadwreck]

Yes, there is definitely design work out there, maybe not as much of it as there once was, but it's still out there.

I do design work (roads) on a daily basis.

 

[Dleg]

Infrastructure doesn't last forever, and a lot of it is very old and in need of replacement. Couple that with the supposed retirement of the baby boomer workforce, and I would say the future for civil engineering is pretty solid. The land development world has always been up and down, and that's mostly what you are seeing right now, is the downturn in construction of new houses, which had kept a lot of engineers busy for 10-15 years.

 

[FLBuff PE]

There are still design jobs out there and while it is somewhat slow right now, it will get busy again in the next few years. I do roadway design everyday. Even if you aren't designing something new, like Dleg said, things are old and need to be revamped. It's a good field, and if you want to do design, you can do it.

It's not nice to talk about Dleg like that!

 

[Road Guy]

come to georgia,. vote for the regional splost, and there will be good work for 10 years...

and help the failing infrastrucutre get fixed

 

[Dleg]

What the heck is a "regional splost"??

 

[roadwreck]

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special-purpo...ption_sales_tax

 

[Dleg]

Ah....

 

[msajaa]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Civil engineers are ultimately responsible for the infrastructure project’s design and implementation. Therefore, they must be able to lead surveyors[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt], manager, construction,[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] civil engineering technicians, and others to implement the plan.[/SIZE]

 

[John QPE]

We can't hire enough designers right now.

 

[matt267 PE]

 

[ptatohed]

Civil engineers are ultimately responsible for the infrastructure project’s design and implementation. Therefore, they must be able to lead surveyors, manager, construction, civil engineering technicians, and others to implement the plan.

07/10/2015 minus 01/10/2011 = 4.5 years = 54 months = 1,642 days

 

[BLG923PE]

IMO, the industry is definitely on the upswing. You may consider trying to get into a firm that has both envr and engr so you can get some cross exposure while getting your degree.

 

[DummyCivilEng]

Check what you will get (salary) as an entry level designer, and compare that with what you are and will be getting. Is it worth doing another degree?

Assuming that you do not have experience in design/civil, it will take years (degree years + experience) before you can take the PE. Civil designers, even with PE, are generally low paid. Designers are usually "in-demand" because they come and go, and generally are expendable, especially when the economy is down.

Probably the best way is to focus on what you are strong in (that may include taking PE in your field), develop some management skills, business acumen, and market yourself better. If you insist on getting a degree, try an MBA instead.

 

[Lomarandil]

DCE, I think there's a difference between what the OP is referring to as design work (creative problem solving), and being a "designer" (from what I've seen, someone acting in a role midway between a CAD technician and a full design engineer).

Although OP is long gone, for posterity, I would also propose that there are alternate means to get into a civil engineering job and eventual PE than returning for a BS (depending on the company you work for and the state for your PE).

 

[BLG923PE]

Def just realized this was a 4+ year thread...