First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Oregon State 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 92%, Civil Engineering graduates from Oregon State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+25%) 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, only 7% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Civil Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 99%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraduate Research AssistantOregon State University Jun 2013 - Sep 2015 Internship DKS Associates Sep 2015 - Oct 2015 Transportation Engineer Associate DKS Associates Oct 2015 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's DegreeOregon State University 2013 - 2015 ABOUTMy objective is to apply the skills I've learned to a future career in Transportation. I would like to make a change in transportation policies and infrastructural design that make transportation safe for all users, reliable as a system, sustainable for the environment, and available to all users who require services. I completed my understand and graduate studies at Oregon State University where several regional research projects that I worked on include future demand patterns, bicycle crash and level of stress relationships, and various other planning subjects. I am currently a transportation engineer associate at DKS Associates where the projects that I have worked on include the US 20 Safety Study, the OR 22 Facility Study, and various design projects in the Salem and Wilsonville Oregon areas. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of Oregon State University graduates with a degree in Civil Engineering, there are a few common jobs that pop up quite frequently. The most popular roles seem to be Project Engineer, Civil Engineer, and various positions within engineering firms, ranging from Engineering Specialists to Project Managers. These roles generally align well with the skills and knowledge that the graduates gained during their studies, particularly in areas like design, construction, and project management. It's clear that many graduates found positions where they can apply their technical know-how and work on real-world infrastructure and engineering projects.
However, not all jobs listed are 100% focused on civil engineering. While a lot of graduates are definitely in roles that make good use of their degree, some also took on positions like Assistant Manager or Estimator, which may utilize some engineering principles but are not solely rooted in civil engineering. This shows that while many grads are directly involved in civil engineering-related tasks, some have branched out into roles that, while still valuable, don't fully leverage their engineering background. Overall, it looks like a solid number of Oregon State civil engineering grads are able to find relevant positions, but there's a fair mix of how closely those jobs connect to their specific education in civil engineering.
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 Oregon State University):
When graduates from Oregon State University's Civil Engineering program start their careers, they often find themselves taking on roles directly related to engineering and construction. Many of the first jobs post-graduation include positions like project engineers, apprentices, or assistants in various construction and engineering firms. Over time, it’s clear that they're not just stagnant in entry-level positions; as they gather experience, they often move up the ladder to project managers, senior engineers, and even directors in their respective companies. For instance, several alumni who graduated in 2012 climbed their way from project engineers to director roles within a span of just a few years.
Fast-forward five to ten years into their careers, and the trend continues in a positive direction. Graduates from earlier years display a pattern of steady advancement, often moving into managerial or specialized roles, such as civil engineer III or construction project managers. It's impressive to see many of them staying within the civil engineering field, indicating a strong connection to their degree and a positive economic landscape for engineering roles. Even those with slightly different initial positions, like project coordinators or estimators, seem to pivot back into engineering where their roots lie. Overall, it looks like Oregon State grads are generally thriving in careers related to civil engineering and construction, making solid progress over time in their professional journeys.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is no walk in the park, and at Oregon State University, it’s pretty much on par with what you'd expect from other strong engineering programs. You’re gonna dive into some tough math and science courses, like calculus, physics, and materials science, which can be a real challenge if math isn't your strong suit. The workload can be heavy, with lots of projects, labs, and sometimes intensive group work that tests not just your knowledge but also your time management. That said, if you’re passionate about the field and are willing to put in the time and effort, it can definitely be a rewarding experience, just keep in mind that it's definitely not the easiest degree out there!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.
Looking at the career paths of these Oregon State University Civil Engineering grads, it seems like they've generally landed on their feet financially, especially as they progress in their careers. Those who graduated earlier, like in 2011 and 2012, started in roles like carpentry and project engineering, which can be decent starting salaries, but they’ve moved up to higher-paying positions with more responsibilities over time, like project managers and directors. The more recent grads from 2022 still seem to be in the early stages but are starting off in solid engineering roles, which usually pay pretty well right from the get-go. Overall, if they keep climbing the ladder, they're likely to be doing pretty well for 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 Oregon State University). 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: