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First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Penn 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 32 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 82%, Civil Engineering graduates from Penn State University have a much higher likelihood (+15%) 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 12% 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:
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Relevance score: 0% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCashier Lowe's Home Improvement May 2013 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the jobs that Civil Engineering graduates from Penn State have landed, it's clear they often stick closely to their field. A lot of them wind up in roles like Project Managers, Engineers, and Inspectors, which are all positions that make heavy use of the skills they learned during their degree. For instance, many of these jobs, like Traffic Engineer or Structural Engineer, directly apply civil engineering principles to real-world projects. You can see that there's a strong connection between their education and their work, especially in roles where they’re managing construction projects or dealing with engineering design.
However, not every job on the list relates back to civil engineering. There were a few folks who ended up in unrelated roles, like cashiers or event staff, and even those working in education like Mathnasium don’t use civil engineering skills in their day-to-day. While the majority have chosen careers that match up with their diploma, it's interesting to note how some ventured off the path. Overall, though, it seems that for most Penn State graduates in Civil Engineering, their employment is quite relevant, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned in school to impactful, engineering-focused careers.
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 Penn State University):
From looking at the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Penn State University with a degree in Civil Engineering, it seems like they've generally found solid footing in careers related to their field. Most of these graduates landed their first jobs in positions like engineering assistants, project managers, and various roles within construction and project inspection shortly after graduation. It's not uncommon for them to start out in roles like construction inspectors or field engineers, especially in the years immediately following graduation. Over the first few years, many have climbed the career ladder, moving on to project management positions or more specialized engineering roles, which indicates a promising trajectory in civil engineering.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years down the line, and many graduates continue to advance within the field. A lot of them have matured into roles as project engineers, senior engineers, or managers at various engineering firms or governmental departments. While there are a few outliers who have transitioned into unrelated careers, the majority remain actively engaged in civil engineering or related industries. This suggests that a degree from Penn State in Civil Engineering effectively prepares graduates for successful careers, with many maintaining relevance to their studies and leveraging their education to build fruitful long-term careers.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Penn State University can be pretty challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you're willing to put in the effort. The curriculum is rigorous and often involves a lot of math, physics, and engineering principles, which can be tough, especially if those subjects aren’t your strong suits. You’ll likely face a mix of lectures, projects, and labs that require teamwork and problem-solving skills. While it’s not the easiest degree out there—think of it as a level up from the average—you'll find plenty of resources and support at Penn State to help you through. So, if you’re passionate about engineering and ready to grind, you can definitely handle it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.
From the looks of it, these Penn State Civil Engineering grads seem to be doing pretty well in the job market. A lot of them started off with solid positions right after graduation and have moved up the ranks into project management or specialized engineering roles, which typically pay decent salaries. For example, those who graduated around 2011 and 2014 are now in senior-level or managerial positions, suggesting they've made a good career for themselves. On the other hand, some recent grads have roles that could be stepping stones to higher-paying positions, but they might still be on the lower end for now. Overall, it appears most of these alumni have found their footing in the field and are likely earning a good salary, especially compared to the average starting pay for other college graduates. So, if you're considering a career in civil engineering, it looks like a promising path!
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 Penn 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:
