First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from San Diego 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 88%, Civil Engineering graduates from San Diego State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+21%) 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 15% 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProject EngineerCompetitive Edge Construction Apr 2013 - Sep 2017 Engineer City of San Diego Dec 2017 - Sep 2018 Engineer City of San Diego Sep 2018 - Sep 2019 Engineer / Project Manager Loudoun County Government Apr 2020 - Jul 2021 Engineer / Project Manager Loudoun County Government Jul 2021 - Feb 2023 Transportation Engineer (Civil) Caltrans Sep 2023 - Jan 2024 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of graduates with a Civil Engineering degree from San Diego State University, it’s clear that most of them have landed jobs that are closely related to their field of study. A significant number have taken on positions like Project Engineer, Engineer at governmental organizations like the City of San Diego, and various engineering roles at consulting firms. These positions typically require the application of core civil engineering principles, such as understanding structural, transportation, or materials engineering, which align well with their academic background. Thus, many of these graduates have been able to find work that utilizes the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies.
However, it's also evident that not all career paths are directly relevant. Some graduates have ventured into positions like marketing, real estate, and even recruiting, which don’t fully leverage their civil engineering education. While skills such as project management and technical knowledge can occasionally overlap with engineering principles, these roles are generally not aligned with the core competencies of a Civil Engineering degree. Overall, while a good portion of graduates are applying their credentials directly in the engineering field, there are some who have diversified into unrelated areas, which can dilute the direct relevance of their education. So, while many are succeeding in civil engineering-related roles, there are definitely mixed outcomes depending on the individual choices following graduation.
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 San Diego State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from San Diego State University with a degree in Civil Engineering, it seems like many of them start off strong, landing jobs that are quite relevant to their field soon after graduation. For their first jobs, a lot of them take on roles like Engineer or Project Engineer, often moving into positions at engineering firms or city government roles not long after they graduate. It shows that there are solid entry-level opportunities out there for these graduates, allowing them to dive right into the civil engineering world and build their experience.
As they progress five to ten years down the line, many of these graduates continue to advance within the civil engineering realm. Some transition into project management roles or specialized engineering positions, such as transportation engineer or materials engineer, while others explore different paths, like real estate sales or marketing. Overall, the outlook for SDSU's engineering grads seems pretty positive, with the majority staying within the engineering sphere and building up their careers. It’s a great sign for anyone considering a degree in civil engineering—there's a good chance you'll find a career that aligns with your studies and interests!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at San Diego State University is definitely on the challenging side, kind of like a rollercoaster ride that has its ups and downs. You’re going to dive into some complex math, physics, and engineering principles, which can be pretty tough, especially if you’re not super into those subjects. The workload can be heavy too, with lots of projects, lab work, and group assignments that require collaboration. But hey, if you’re curious, motivated, and willing to put in the effort, it can also be really rewarding! Just think of it as a rigorous program that pushes you but also helps you build a solid foundation in engineering. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and embrace the challenge!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.
So, looking at this group of San Diego State University Civil Engineering graduates, it seems like they’ve generally landed pretty solid jobs with decent earning potential over time. The ones who graduated a while back, like the 2010 grad at City of San Diego and the 2014 grad who’s now a Project Manager, likely earn good salaries since government and managerial roles tend to pay well in engineering. Even the newer grads starting out, like the ones from 2021 and 2023, seem to be getting good footing with roles like Associate Engineers and Junior Civil Engineers, which are entry points to higher-paying positions as they gain experience. Overall, they’re on a pretty good path to make decent money in a field that usually rewards technical skills and expertise well.
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 San Diego 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: