This really has nothing to do with traffic engineering, but here goes. I'm a senior in high school and about to start college in the fall. I'm majoring in Civil Engineering but don't really understand what the different disciplines of engineering do.(especially traffic, land development, structural, and construction management) Would anyone like to give me a brief overview of each. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
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Civil Engineering Disciplines 2
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I hate the word "kids" here, but it gives a run down on the specialties in Civil engineering.
Think of yourself in what you would like to be doing. For myself, the engineering is fun, but I really like the responsibility of leading a team that does the engineering. At the school level you're at you sound ambitious. Plan on getting a masters in business with the Civil B.S. Instead of a 8 foot ladder, you'll have a 12" ladder when you enter the work force. The responsibility and pay will come much quicker.
I hate the word "kids" here, but it gives a run down on the specialties in Civil engineering.
Think of yourself in what you would like to be doing. For myself, the engineering is fun, but I really like the responsibility of leading a team that does the engineering. At the school level you're at you sound ambitious. Plan on getting a masters in business with the Civil B.S. Instead of a 8 foot ladder, you'll have a 12" ladder when you enter the work force. The responsibility and pay will come much quicker.
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Your BS in Civil should go into the differences. Civil Engineering is made up of several areas that some people specialize in(like traffic, geotechnical, environmental, etc). It is a good place to start your engineering studies and from there you can go business (MBA as mentioned by gtrainor) or one of the other specialities you mentioned, depending on your interests. This is a very debatable topic right now in the industry...some want to break away from the all incompasing CIVIL liscense and go to structual registration (SE1 and SE2), traffic (PTOE), even things like sedimentation. Others think that this takes away from the prestige of a Civil Engineering registration/liscence.
Think of the medical profession...internal medicine versus brain surgen. Both or PhDs, but at some point they went into specialty training all depending on their interest. What do you enjoy? Do you stop at construction sites and wish you could know what and how things are bieng done, do you wish that you could be directing the work force on the construction site, do you even stop at construction sites, what about interest in foundations or traffic signal timing settings? Remember that your BS is an introduction. If you really think that you have found your interest then go on to graduate level, if not then maybe some time working after college will help you decide.
One suggestion that I give the college interns that I hire is to find a summer internship and learn all that you can in the summer... what the engineer does on a daily and yearly basis. If they stick you shoveling ditches then quit and find another. Start your internship search early, cause you will not make the company any money (you do not know enough to contribute, or at least the last three interns that I hired didn't. I still hire them because I want to help them in their carrer), and not many positions are found, or few slots within the company. Also gain a relationship with some local engineers by asking them for input and visits to their office.
Knowledge in a potential hire is one thing, but ambition and desire far out-perform, and is a major thing I look for in interviews.
Good Luck and have fun
Think of the medical profession...internal medicine versus brain surgen. Both or PhDs, but at some point they went into specialty training all depending on their interest. What do you enjoy? Do you stop at construction sites and wish you could know what and how things are bieng done, do you wish that you could be directing the work force on the construction site, do you even stop at construction sites, what about interest in foundations or traffic signal timing settings? Remember that your BS is an introduction. If you really think that you have found your interest then go on to graduate level, if not then maybe some time working after college will help you decide.
One suggestion that I give the college interns that I hire is to find a summer internship and learn all that you can in the summer... what the engineer does on a daily and yearly basis. If they stick you shoveling ditches then quit and find another. Start your internship search early, cause you will not make the company any money (you do not know enough to contribute, or at least the last three interns that I hired didn't. I still hire them because I want to help them in their carrer), and not many positions are found, or few slots within the company. Also gain a relationship with some local engineers by asking them for input and visits to their office.
Knowledge in a potential hire is one thing, but ambition and desire far out-perform, and is a major thing I look for in interviews.
Good Luck and have fun
My brother majored in Structural Engineering with masters in Civil, so that's an option.
I think the interning is is almost mandatory, even if there's no pay, if you can afford it. The work experience will help you focus your major as well as giving you a leg up when you try to find a job.
As there are always plenty of qualified candidates; work experience coupled with good recommendations from your employers would be a major discriminant in the job market. New grads are essentially untested in the marketplace with respect to actual on-the-job qualities, so knowing that a new hire can actually show up for work and be productive is great assurance. TTFN
I think the interning is is almost mandatory, even if there's no pay, if you can afford it. The work experience will help you focus your major as well as giving you a leg up when you try to find a job.
As there are always plenty of qualified candidates; work experience coupled with good recommendations from your employers would be a major discriminant in the job market. New grads are essentially untested in the marketplace with respect to actual on-the-job qualities, so knowing that a new hire can actually show up for work and be productive is great assurance. TTFN
You may want to check out the past salary survey issues of civil and structural news. I'm not telling you to base your decision on money, but just be aware of the reality that a first year nurse makes the same as a twenty year veteran civl engineer. Good luck.
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