What can you do with a Civil Engineering degree from Clemson University?

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Clemson University 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Civil Engineering graduates from Clemson University have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 74%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.

See the details:

View a random Civil Engineering graduate from Clemson University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 59%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Civil Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Field Engineer
Sundt Construction
Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
The role of Field Engineer directly utilizes civil engineering principles and skills, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Project Engineer/Discipline Lead
Jacobs
Jun 2022 - Present
As a Project Engineer/Discipline Lead, the position requires specific civil engineering expertise and the application of skills gained during the degree, thus it is directly relevant.

Program Manager
US Navy
Aug 2013 - Present
The Program Manager role at the US Navy may involve leadership and project management skills, which can benefit from a civil engineering background, but it does not primarily focus on engineering knowledge or skills.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Engineering - MEng
Old Dominion University
2019 - 2022
ABOUT

With over 10 years of work experience, I am a skilled and versatile program manager with a master's degree in engineering management. I am passionate about leading and supporting complex and innovative projects that enhance the capabilities and performance of the US Navy. I have a strong background in operational planning, analytical skills, and military weapon systems, and I enjoy collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes.As a program manager at the US Navy, I oversee the training, operating procedure, and standardization of the MH-60S/MQ-8C Fleet Replacement Squadron. I manage training, schedule, and quality of the program, and ensure compliance with all policies and regulations. I also coordinate with other departments, contractors, and vendors to facilitate the delivery and maintenance of the aircraft and equipment. In addition, I leverage my engineering and construction experience as a project engineer and discipline lead at Jacobs, where I manage the engineering and construction of conveyor, pipe, and electrical support structures and towers for various industrial and defense clients.

What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering degree from Clemson University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the job landscape for Clemson University graduates with a degree in Civil Engineering, it's pretty clear that many of them have landed roles that are either directly related or tangentially connected to their field of study. A large chunk of the graduates, especially those in project management roles, serve as Project Engineers, which is a fantastic match because it requires applying engineering principles they learned in school. Many of these positions—whether they’re in construction management, engineering analysis, or safety engineering—use the technical skills and methodologies obtained during their Bachelor’s program, laying out a solid foundation for their professional careers.

However, there’s also a noticeable number of grads who have ventured into roles that don’t heavily depend on their Civil Engineering education. Positions like Risk Analyst or even roles in real estate management tend to focus more on managerial skills rather than engineering expertise. You’ll find some graduates in jobs like being a pilot or working in financial development, neither of which require any knowledge of civil engineering principles. Overall, while many graduates have found positions that leverage their education, a significant number have branched out into areas where their Civil Engineering background doesn’t play a central role. So, while a degree from Clemson gives you great opportunities in Civil Engineering, it can also lead you down other career paths that might not be as related.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Civil Engineering graduates (this is across all Civil Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Clemson University):

What kind of career trajectories do Civil Engineering graduates from Clemson University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories of graduates from Clemson University's Civil Engineering program often begin with solid foundations in engineering roles shortly after graduation. Many of these individuals jump into their first jobs as project engineers or assistant project managers, which is pretty typical for this field. It seems like a significant number of graduates, especially from around 2012 to 2020, landed positions in various engineering firms, construction companies, and even governmental roles. This trend shows that they are generally entering strong, relevant roles that align well with their degrees. For instance, roles like project manager, traffic safety engineer, and various engineering positions at companies like GE Power and the Army National Guard highlight the diversity and applicability of their Civil Engineering education.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many alumni continue to climb the ranks within engineering firms, construction companies, or even leverage their experience into leadership roles like program managers or company presidents. A few have ventured into unique fields, like real estate or military aviation, which may seem unrelated at first but still showcase the skills they've built through their engineering backgrounds.Overall, while there are a few outliers in less traditional paths, the majority of these Clemson graduates appear to have established strong, successful, and relevant careers in the engineering world, making the degree a worthwhile investment for those passionate about civil engineering and infrastructure. This kind of stability and growth is pretty promising for anyone considering this major!

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from Clemson University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Clemson University is pretty challenging, but it’s not impossible if you’re willing to put in the work. You’ll dive deep into math and science, and you’ll have to tackle a lot of tough coursework, like structural analysis and fluid mechanics. There are also group projects and lab work that can be time-consuming, so you’ll need to be good at managing your time. That being said, if you enjoy problem-solving and have a passion for how things are built and work, you might find it rewarding despite the difficulty. Just be ready to buckle down and study hard, because it’s definitely a rigorous program compared to a lot of other majors.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

Do Civil Engineering graduates from Clemson University tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Clemson graduates, it seems like they’re generally doing pretty well, especially for fresh grads entering the civil engineering field. Many of them have landed solid positions like Project Engineer or Manager with reputable companies, which often means decent pay. You’ve got folks who’ve climbed the ladder pretty quickly, like those moving from roles at GE Power to senior positions, and others starting their own businesses, like the owner of Patriot Excavation. While specific salaries aren’t listed, civil engineers usually make a good salary right out of school, and as they gain experience and take on more responsibilities, the pay likely increases significantly. Overall, it looks like these grads are on a positive financial path!

What buzzwords do Civil Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

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 is across all Civil Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Clemson University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Civil Engineering?

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:

College Score Count
California State University, Long Beach 100 10
California State University-Long Beach 97 11
University of Missouri-Columbia 96 13
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 96 14
San Jose State University 95 11
University of Arkansas 95 10
Michigan State University 94 10
Northeastern University 94 15
University of Utah 93 11
University of Wisconsin-Platteville 93 11
University of Washington 92 16
Brigham Young University 92 18
Iowa State University 92 18
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 92 28
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 92 36
Oregon State University 92 13
University of Massachusetts Amherst 92 12
University of Nevada, Reno 92 13
Missouri University of Science and Technology 92 11
University of Central Florida 91 15
Manhattan College 91 18
Clarkson University 91 11
Florida International University 90 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison 90 16
The University of Texas at El Paso 90 10
Michigan Technological University 90 10
University of California, Davis 89 21
University of Delaware 89 16
Rowan University 89 10
San Diego State University 88 13
Arizona State University 87 16
University of South Florida 87 10
Auburn University 87 17
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 87 10
University of South Alabama 87 10
Virginia Tech 86 13
New Jersey Institute of Technology 86 31
Texas A&M University 85 38
Florida State University 85 15
North Carolina State University 85 20
Texas Tech University 85 12
Wentworth Institute of Technology 85 10
The Ohio State University 84 19
California State University-Sacramento 84 29
University of Florida 83 17
Louisiana State University 83 25
University of Kentucky 83 10
Penn State University 82 32
The University of Texas at Arlington 82 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 81 15
West Virginia University 81 10
University of Maine 81 11
Colorado State University 79 19
Washington State University 79 16
North Dakota State University 79 10
The University of Texas at Austin 77 17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 77 10
Georgia Institute of Technology 77 17
Mississippi State University 76 16
Clemson University 74 20
University of Colorado Boulder 72 11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 70 11
Purdue University 69 22
United States Military Academy at West Point 43 10