First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Civil Engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) 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 27% 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: 55%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Civil Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProgram Manager: Auxiliary Division, Communications DivsionUS Navy Jun 2016 - Aug 2018 Project Manager: Reactor Plant Testing Programs US Navy Feb 2018 - Nov 2018 Assistant Engineer, Engineering Department US Navy Aug 2018 - Apr 2019 Nuclear Submarine Officer US Navy May 2014 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGNuclear EngineeringNuclear Power School - Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) 2014 - 2015 Nuclear Reactor Plant Operations Nuclear Power Training Unit - Charleston, SC 2015 - 2016 Unknown degree Submarine Officer Basic School and Leadership Course 2016 - 2016 Engineer's Degree - NavE Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2019 - 2022 Master of Science - MS MIT Sloan School of Management 2019 - 2022 Unknown degree Naval Postgraduate School 2024 - 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 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering, it's clear that many have landed roles related to project management and engineering. A lot of them work as Project Engineers or Project Managers, where they draw on their civil engineering knowledge to oversee and manage construction projects, making these positions highly relevant to their studies. For instance, graduates have taken roles in companies like Gale Associates, Permasteelisa North America, and the US Navy, where civil engineering principles are essential for their daily tasks. You can see how those who stayed close to engineering or construction are leveraging their degrees well.
However, there are quite a few cases where the jobs don't seem to connect as strongly with civil engineering. For example, some graduates ended up in roles like marketing, sales, or event coordination, where their civil engineering knowledge isn't directly applied. These positions tend to focus more on operations or unrelated tasks. In general, while many grads find relevant and applicable roles, there are also notable exceptions where they veer quite far from their civil engineering roots, which can be a bit surprising given the technical nature of their degree. So, if you're thinking about a degree in Civil Engineering, it seems like there's a solid chance of finding a related job, but be aware that some grads do go off in different directions too!
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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute):
When checking out the career paths of graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering, it looks like many of them start off pretty well in their field. Right after graduation, a lot of them find roles like project engineers or structural engineers, which are solid entry-level positions that align closely with their degree. For instance, one graduate went from being an Engineer in Training to a Project Engineer within just a couple of years, while another moved quickly into project management roles. It seems that most graduates are able to secure jobs in relevant engineering sectors fairly quickly after leaving school, which is definitely a good sign about the program's reputation and the skillset they’re leaving with.
As for where they end up five or ten years later, many of these engineers have continued to climb the career ladder, often taking on management roles or transitioning into specialized positions within engineering firms. We see examples of people stepping into project management and even senior engineering roles, which shows that they have not only found a niche for themselves but have also been able to advance significantly in their careers. A few have even landed positions with companies like Apple and AIG, indicating a strong trajectory in their careers. Overall, it seems like graduates from WPI are doing quite well for themselves in fields related to Civil Engineering, suggesting a bright future for upcoming graduates as well!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, especially at a place like Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), can be pretty challenging. Civil Engineering programs are known for being rigorous because they mix a lot of math, physics, and engineering principles with hands-on projects—think stuff like structural design and fluid mechanics. WPI also has a reputation for its project-based learning approach, which means you’ll be doing a ton of practical work alongside your theoretical classes. So, if you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving and doesn’t mind putting in the effort, you’ll probably thrive, but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park! It’s definitely on the tougher side compared to some other majors, but if you're passionate about it, the rewards can be worth the hard work.
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 these WPI grads, it seems like most of them are on a solid career trajectory, especially the ones who moved quickly into project management and engineering roles at reputable companies. For instance, the 2010 grad is now working at Apple, which likely comes with a good paycheck, while the 2011 grad climbed the ranks at Gale Associates. Even newer grads are getting good positions right out of school, which is a good indicator of decent starting salaries. Of course, some paths are a bit twisty, like that one 2013 graduate who jumped between quite a few roles before settling down. Overall, they seem to be making decent money for the most part, especially considering many landed roles at well-known companies or in specialized fields—so, yeah, it looks like they're doing 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute). 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: