What can you do with a Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

First, some facts. Of the Construction Engineering graduates from Iowa 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 90%, Construction Engineering graduates from Iowa State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+23%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 90%
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 0% 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 Construction Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Construction Engineering graduate from Iowa State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 42%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Construction Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Engineer
Ceco Concrete Construction L.L.C.
May 2014 - Aug 2016
As a Project Engineer at Ceco Concrete Construction L.L.C., this position directly utilizes construction engineering knowledge and skills, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering.

Director Of Business Development
Good Energy Solutions
Aug 2016 - Oct 2020
The role of Director Of Business Development at Good Energy Solutions may involve construction-related projects but does not primarily utilize specific technical construction engineering skills, making it only indirectly relevant.

Business Analyst
Savion, LLC
Oct 2020 - Present
The position as a Business Analyst at Savion, LLC does not require knowledge or skills related to construction engineering, focusing instead on analysis and business processes which are unrelated to the core qualifications of the degree.

ABOUT

Strong Solar Advocate and Experienced Technical Sales Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the renewables industry. Skilled in Solar PV, Construction, Teamwork, and Leadership. Strong sales professional with a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University.

What jobs can you get with a Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

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


From the resumes of Iowa State University graduates with degrees in Construction Engineering, it seems that many of them have ended up in roles like Project Engineer, Field Engineer, and Project Manager. These jobs often require them to apply the skills they learned during their degree directly. For example, positions like Superintendent or Central Region Vice President show a clear connection to construction engineering principles, as they involve overseeing large construction projects and ensuring everything runs smoothly. It’s great to see that a lot of these graduates are not just landing jobs in the construction field, but specifically in roles that align closely with their educational background.

However, not all roles are equally relevant. Some graduates have taken positions that stray away from the core aspects of construction engineering. Positions like Director of Business Development or Business Analyst focus more on business processes and strategy rather than construction principles, leading to a lesser connection to what they studied. Overall, while many graduates are doing jobs that make full use of their construction engineering education, there are a few who have ventured into roles where that knowledge isn't as critical. Still, it’s pretty encouraging to see so many making an impact in construction-related fields right out of college!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Construction Engineering graduates (this is across all Construction Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University):

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

It looks like graduates from Iowa State University with a degree in Construction Engineering have generally carved out solid and successful career paths. Most of them tend to start their careers as engineers or project managers in various construction companies right after graduating. For example, graduates from 2010 to 2022 have begun their careers in roles like Field Engineer, Project Engineer, or Engineer Intern. These positions seem to provide a solid foundation in construction management principles and hands-on experience, which are critical for advancing in the field.

As time goes on—usually about five to ten years after graduation—you can see a clear trend of progression into higher-level roles. Many alumni move from technical engineering positions to project management, director roles, and even executive positions like Vice President. They frequently stick with reputable firms, showing a strong connection to the industry. It’s clear that a degree from Iowa State sets up graduates well for meaningful careers in construction, as the majority have successfully transitioned into roles that are relevant to their studies and often involve significant responsibility and leadership. Overall, it looks like those who embark on a career in construction engineering after Iowa State find their way into fulfilling and relevant job roles over the years.

How hard is a Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on how you approach it. At Iowa State University, you’ll dig into a lot of technical subjects like structural analysis, materials science, and project management, which can get pretty intense if math and physics aren't your strong suits. Many students find the workload to be on the heavier side compared to some other majors, mostly because you’re juggling a mix of theory and hands-on projects. But if you’re passionate about the field and ready to put in the effort, it can be a rewarding experience. Just be prepared to hit the books and maybe pull a few late nights—it's definitely not a walk in the park!

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 Construction Engineering.

Do Construction Engineering graduates from Iowa State University tend to make good money?

Based on what I see from these Iowa State grads, it looks like a lot of them have landed some pretty solid jobs that would likely pay well, especially those in higher roles like Vice President and Senior Project Manager. The guy who graduated in 2010 has climbed all the way up to Vice President at a company, which usually comes with a decent paycheck. Similarly, the 2011 grad went from Project Manager to Vice President in just a few years, showing a pretty strong career trajectory. Even the more recent grads are on the right track with roles like Superintendent, which tend to pay well as you gain experience. Overall, it seems like most of these folks are making decent money, especially considering the construction industry usually offers good salaries for skilled positions.

What buzzwords do Construction 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 Construction Engineering (this is across all Construction Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Construction Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Construction Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Construction Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Iowa State University 90 11