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

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Civil Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky have a much higher likelihood (+16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 83%
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, only 30% 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:

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


Relevance score: 51%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Environmental Engineer Assistant I
Kentucky Division for Air Quality
Jul 2012 - Nov 2014
As an Environmental Engineer Assistant I, the job directly utilizes knowledge and skills in environmental engineering developed during the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant.

Environmental Engineer Assistant II
Kentucky Division of Water
Nov 2014 - Jun 2015
The position as an Environmental Engineer Assistant II also requires and applies environmental engineering principles learned in the Bachelor's degree, ensuring strong relevance.

Environmental Scientist II
LG&E and KU Energy LLC
Jun 2015 - Jan 2019
In the role of Environmental Scientist II, core qualifications involve environmental analysis and assessments that directly relate to the educational background in civil engineering.

Environmental Engineer
US Army Corps of Engineers
Jan 2019 - Apr 2023
As an Environmental Engineer at the US Army Corps of Engineers, this position leverages the engineering and environmental principles learned during the Bachelor's degree, indicating high relevance.

Design Engineer
City of Frankfort, Kentucky
Apr 2023 - Feb 2024
The position of Design Engineer, while related to engineering, may not focus exclusively on the environmental aspects that are core to the individuals civil engineering degree.

Horizontal Construction Supervisor
Kentucky Army National Guard
May 2014 - May 2019
As a Horizontal Construction Supervisor, the role is primarily focused on supervisory construction tasks rather than the engineering principles of civil/environmental engineering, making it less relevant.

Preventive Medicine Officer
Kentucky Army National Guard
May 2019 - Present
The role of Preventive Medicine Officer does not utilize environmental engineering skills or knowledge, as it focuses on medical and health aspects instead of engineering or environmental concerns.

Environmental Engineer Supervisor
Commonwealth of Kentucky
May 2024 - Present
As an Environmental Engineer Supervisor at the Commonwealth of Kentucky, this position directly utilizes civil engineering expertise and environmental management skills, showcasing strong relevance.

ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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


From analyzing the various job positions held by graduates from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Civil Engineering, it looks like a good number of them have stuck to roles that are pretty relevant to their field. Many alumni have taken on positions like Environmental Engineer, Project Engineer, and Design Engineer, which directly align with their civil engineering expertise. These jobs involve applying technical skills and knowledge gained during their studies, like environmental assessments and structural design. Some notable employers include the US Army Corps of Engineers, Hazen and Sawyer, and Tetra Tech, all of which are rooted in civil and environmental engineering sectors.

On the flip side, there are a few instances of folks veering away from traditional civil engineering roles. For example, some graduates ended up in positions that don't utilize their engineering skills at all, like being a Calculus Tutor or even owning an automotive service business. While these jobs provide experience, they don’t really contribute to the civil engineering field. Overall, though, it seems like most graduates have managed to find their way into positions that leverage their civil engineering backgrounds effectively.

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 University of Kentucky):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Civil Engineering graduates from the University of Kentucky, it's clear that many of them are finding solid jobs related to their field right after graduation. For instance, graduates from 2012 went on to diverse roles from environmental engineering to even owning their own businesses. The 2016 graduates started with positions like GIS Technician and gradually moved up to roles like Principal Engineer, showing a clear upward trend in their careers. Most of their early jobs seem to be engineering-related, which is a positive sign for anyone considering this major.

Fast forward a few years, and many grads still remain in engineering or related fields, often moving into higher responsibility roles. The 2019 and 2020 graduates have consistently held engineering positions, like Project Engineers and Design Engineers, indicating a stable path within the industry. The progression from entry-level roles to more advanced positions, like Environmental Engineer or Transportation Engineer, shows that the graduates not only stick to their field but often experience career growth over just a few years. Overall, for a newcomer to civil engineering, this seems encouraging, as many alums are landing good jobs related to their degree and climbing the professional ladder.

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from University of Kentucky?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, whether at the University of Kentucky or elsewhere, is generally considered on the tougher side of the college spectrum. You’re diving into a lot of math, physics, and technical coursework, which can be pretty challenging for many students. Plus, there are labs, group projects, and design work that add to the workload. While some people find it super interesting and enjoyable—especially if they're into building things and solving real-world problems—it does require a decent amount of time, dedication, and effort to keep up with everything. So, if you’re thinking about it, be prepared for a solid challenge, but also a rewarding experience!

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 University of Kentucky tend to make good money?

Looking at these Civil Engineering graduates from the University of Kentucky, it seems like they’ve generally landed on their feet when it comes to salary potential. For those who’ve been working since 2012, like the owner of Auto Tronix, owning a business can bring in some decent cash, especially if the biz takes off. The folks with engineering roles in governmental and reputable private firms likely earn a solid salary too, especially given their progression into higher positions like Environmental Engineer Supervisor. Newly minted grads from 2019 and 2020 are on track for good pay as they start their careers with solid companies, and the variety of roles like Project Engineer and Structural Design Engineer shows they’re getting their foot in the door. Overall, while not every role might be a cash cow, they seem to be doing pretty well compared to many other professions straight out of college!

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 University of Kentucky). 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