What can you do with a Civil Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from San Jose 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 95%, Civil Engineering graduates from San Jose State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+28%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 95%
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, 45% 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:

View a random Civil Engineering graduate from San Jose State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Engineering - BE in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Design Engineer
Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc.
Jun 2023 - Present
The role of Design Engineer at Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc. directly utilizes civil engineering principles and skills learned during the Bachelor's degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

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


From reviewing the LinkedIn profiles of San Jose State University graduates with a degree in Civil Engineering, it’s clear that many have gone on to work in roles that align closely with their academic training. A significant number of graduates have found positions as engineers at organizations like Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Caltrans, and various public works departments. Roles such as Gas Pipeline Engineer, Transportation Engineer, and Assistant Civil Engineer are quite common. In these positions, they apply fundamental civil engineering principles, whether it's in infrastructure development, pipeline safety, or transportation systems. This trend suggests that civil engineering graduates from San Jose State are generally able to find relevant employment in the field, allowing them to utilize their specialized knowledge effectively.

However, not all job titles reflect a direct application of civil engineering skills. Some positions—like those in project management or roles that lean towards administrative tasks—appear less related to the technical aspects taught in their civil engineering programs. For example, roles such as Principal Process Owner and Estimator may involve some understanding of civil engineering but aren't primarily focused on engineering tasks. Overall, while a good portion of graduates pursue roles that utilize their civil engineering expertise, there are also individuals taking on jobs in adjacent fields that don’t capitalize fully on their degree. It’s a mixed bag, but the majority seem to stick to relevant engineering roles, which is a positive indicator for future students considering this path.

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 Jose State University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from San Jose State University's Civil Engineering program, it's pretty clear that many have landed jobs that are not just relevant but also quite promising in the field. Most graduates tend to kickstart their careers as entry-level engineers, often in roles like Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer, especially right after graduation. For instance, some alumni took positions at local public works departments or major utility companies, where they gained invaluable experience working on real-world projects. It’s a solid foundation to build on, and many stay within similar companies or sectors for years, often climbing the ladder into more senior roles and specialized positions like Senior Gas Engineer or Supervising Gas Engineer.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these individuals see themselves advancing to higher positions, sometimes even managing teams or overseeing significant projects. For example, graduates have transitioned into senior engineering roles or have taken on more complex projects within large firms or government agencies. There are even cases of alumni reaching out towards leadership roles and responsibilities such as Principal Process Owner. Overall, it looks like a significant number of these civil engineering grads are thriving in their careers, working in roles tied closely to what they studied, and continuing to grow professionally over the years.

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, like the one at San Jose State University, can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on how you handle tough subjects and time management. You'll dive into a lot of math and physics, plus design and construction principles, so if those topics aren’t your strong suit, it might feel a bit overwhelming at times. That said, many students find it rewarding and manageable with some dedication and support from professors and peers. Overall, it's a rigorous program, likely on the harder side compared to other degrees, but if you’re passionate about it and willing to put in the effort, you can definitely make it through!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

Do Civil Engineering graduates from San Jose State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Civil Engineering graduates from San Jose State University, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well in their careers, especially when you consider the steady climb up the career ladder. For instance, many have worked for big names like Pacific Gas and Electric and Caltrans, which are known for decent salaries and good benefits. The graduate who started as a Junior Project Engineer in 2010 and worked their way up to a Principal Process Owner clearly moved into a well-paying role over time. Even those who are just starting out, like the 2023 grad, are kicking things off in engineering positions that typically offer competitive pay. Overall, it looks like a solid path where most folks have likely made decent money, especially considering the demand for civil engineers in California.

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 San Jose State 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