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First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 2649 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Civil Engineering graduates have a much higher likelihood (+14%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 36% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Civil Engineering graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 26% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Clemson University College of Engineering and Science with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCertified Flight Instructor Greenville Aviation Aug 2011 - Feb 2013 Operations Manager and Chief Flight Instructor Greenville Aviation Mar 2013 - Dec 2015 Certified Flight Instructor Self-Employed Jan 2016 - Apr 2017 Event Coordinator & Founding Board Member Greenville Aviators Association Feb 2016 - Apr 2017 First Officer  PSA Airlines, Inc. Apr 2017 - Feb 2019 Captain PSA Airlines, Inc. Feb 2019 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Civil Engineering, it becomes apparent that many of them pursue jobs that align closely with their academic training. The most common roles observed among these graduates include Project Engineer, Civil Engineer, Design Engineer, and various management positions like Project Manager or Assistant Project Manager. A significant number of graduates transition into roles that are directly linked to civil engineering principles, such as infrastructure development, transportation engineering, and construction management. Many of these positions require the application of technical skills and knowledge gained during their studies, underscoring the degree's relevance in the job market.
However, not all career outcomes reflect a direct application of civil engineering knowledge. A noteworthy number of individuals ventured into roles that diverge significantly from traditional civil engineering tasks. Positions in business management, sales, and non-engineering industries reduce the apparent relevance of their degrees. While some graduates do find success in roles such as estimators or project coordinators that apply overlapping skills, others have taken paths that appear less directly beneficial to their civil engineering expertise. Example roles such as retail management or customer service positions highlight this divergence, indicating that civil engineering degrees provide a versatile skill set that graduates may leverage in various contexts, albeit often unrelated to their core expertise.
Ultimately, the data provides a mixed picture: while many graduates successfully find roles that directly utilize their civil engineering backgrounds, others may not fully capitalize on their education in their chosen careers. This suggests that while a civil engineering degree can open a wide array of opportunities, the direct application of that knowledge in civil engineering roles is not guaranteed for every graduate.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Civil Engineering graduates:
After analyzing numerous LinkedIn profiles of civil engineering graduates, a clear pattern emerges in terms of career trajectories. Many of these graduates begin their professional careers as entry-level engineers, often taking roles such as civil engineering interns, construction engineers, or project engineers. This initial phase tends to be characterized by positions that focus on practical, hands-on experience in the field, which sets a solid foundation for future growth. It's common to see job titles like 'Engineering Intern' or 'Project Engineer' within the first few years following graduation, reflecting a commitment to gaining practical knowledge and experience in real-world engineering settings.
As these civil engineering professionals progress through their careers, typically five to ten years post-graduation, we see a broadening of roles and responsibilities. Many graduates transition into more specialized fields or leadership positions, such as project managers, senior engineers, or team leaders in various sectors including transportation, structural, and environmental engineering. A significant number of these profiles indicate upward mobility, suggesting that these civil engineers are not only sticking to their roots but are also successfully advancing through the ranks to manage larger projects, oversee teams, or even take on executive roles in engineering firms. However, there are exceptions; some graduates veer off the traditional engineering path into roles less related to civil engineering, such as sales, management, or even entirely different fields. This might indicate a saturation in certain areas or an alignment with personal interests that diverge from their academic training.
Overall, while many of these civil engineering graduates appear to be establishing solid and relevant careers, a notable proportion has found themselves in roles that might not fully utilize their civil engineering education. This trend points to the importance of networking, internships, and continually upgrading skills in the rapidly evolving fields of engineering and construction. For high school students considering a career in civil engineering, it's clear that the degree can open many doors, but pursuing internships and remaining flexible in career aspirations can enhance their prospects for a fulfilling career path.
Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering can be pretty challenging compared to many other degrees. You'll be diving into a lot of advanced math, physics, and engineering concepts that require strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. There are tons of projects, labs, and teamwork involved, which can be both rewarding and stressful. While some people might find certain aspects easier based on their interests or strengths, overall, it's definitely on the tougher side of the spectrum, especially if you're not super into math and science. But hey, if you’re curious and willing to put in the effort, it can also be a really interesting journey!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.
Based on the profiles analyzed, it seems like many of these Civil Engineering graduates have embarked on promising career paths, often securing positions that reflect a steady progression in their professional development. While their entry-level positions might not have started off with the highest salaries, their careers appear to have advanced significantly over time; several are now in project management or higher-level engineering roles, which typically come with substantial pay increases. The engineering field generally offers good salary prospects, particularly for those who have worked their way up in reputable companies or have ventured into specialized areas of civil engineering.
However, it's important to acknowledge that some graduates are still in early career stages or have transitioned to roles that may not be directly related to civil engineering, like marketing or data analysis. These shifts might indicate a struggle to find stable, well-paying engineering positions or a personal choice to pivot to a different career path. Overall, it looks like the job market is treating these grads fairly well, and those who stay connected to their field and seek growth opportunities tend to end up making decent money as they accumulate experience and expertise.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Civil Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
