Hey, I’m Mark, a recent civil engineering graduate. I started this site because I remember how overwhelming the first couple of years felt, and I feel that I have great experience to share all the practical things that I wish someone had told me earlier in my career (which is not very long).
The curriculum of Civil Engineering is very surface level as your University is getting you simply to understand the basic principles before entering into a professional environment.
If you’re just starting, thinking of starting, or have already accomplished your Civil Engineering journey, here is a general list of my experiences that would have made professional Civil Engineering easier to understand.
1. The workload is heavier than most people expect—and it’s not just about lectures
At the university level, Civil Engineering condenses all basic principles into each semester. All of the engineering equations that you experience at school are all equations that are utilized in the office. Respectively, each equation that you dive into could essentially be their own course. Being provided a word problem only scratches the surface of how complex translating a problem is.
Today’s curriculum of theory lectures, lab reports, group projects, and often site visits or design work actually mimic the regular day at the office.
Getting used to the workload is a soft-skill that I completely underestimated. I often found myself attempting to get to the solution as fast as I could without respecting the amount of time it takes to solve a complex problem. Through all the time labs and reports would take, treat the non-lecture parts as full courses of their own.
Tip: Block out time in your calendar for labs and reports the same way you would for studying for an exam.
2. Statics and Mechanics of Materials are the real foundation
Sometime in the latter parts of your college career you will start seeing a repetition of greek symbols like: Tau, Sigma, Nu. The theoretical representation of greek letters start melting into each other and, often, I found myself confusing it with each course I took.
Statics and Mechanics of Materials will be the start of this wave. These two courses show up everywhere later—structural analysis, design, even some geotech and transportation work. Being able to carry the theories from these principle courses is very important. It was only at the end of the tunnel that I experienced that if I had greek letters(theories) committed to memory, my journey would have been an easier ride.
Falling behind here creates a snowball effect. I wish I had treated them with the same seriousness I later gave the FE exam.
Tip: Take a moment to be able to draw the greek characters effectively and commit to memory what they represent.
3. Software skills matter more than many professors admit early on
For the most part, expect to develop a good understanding of how Excel, Sheets, or any worksheet type program that can calculate large amounts of input data.
It is not until you get to Senior-level courses, Engineering Club Activities, or in the professional setting which introduce you to plan drafting.
AutoCAD and it’s catalog of analytical programs, Blubeam Editor, and at least basic familiarity with analysis software will help you in both school projects and internships. Universities often assume you’ll pick it up on your own. Start early with the free student licenses.
4. You will feel behind sometimes—and that’s normal
I feel that college does a good job in preparing the student to experience project deadlines, and the overall flow of civil engineering in the professional environment.
Mix in the reality of life, competition, apprenticeship, and there will be moments of eating a generous serving of humble pie. Comparing yourself to the person who seems to understand everything instantly is a trap. Focus on consistent progress instead of perfection. Enjoy the ride!
5. Expect many group projects.
Some people thrive in group environments and some prefer the individual work. Developing the ability to work with others, communicate technical information, and even dealing with reality – group projects operates such that it simulates the professional environment.
The technical part is for the individual to understand, the group part is collaborating with other professionals to meet a common goal. Learn early how to set clear expectations, document everything, and speak up when someone is not pulling their weight.
Tip: Sometimes you could tell if the professor is more interested in the group collaboration more than the subject matter. Have you had professors like this?
6. Internships are practical exposure are worth prioritizing
Internships are early glimpses into what you will be doing in the professional environment. Take them as often as there are opportunities. Exposing yourself to the professional environment of your favorite (and maybe your least favorite) course will help narrow down who you are as a person and where your passion and expertise will continue to grow into.
Tip: Go in with a grain of salt, I never thought I would love wastewater engineering as a career.
7. The FE exam is coming—start thinking about it sooner than you think
I know that this is on the very forefront of every civil engineering student’s mind coming out of college. As it should be, the F.E. exam is the stamp on all of your hard-work studying Civil Engineering.
Preparing for the exam will expose all your strengths and weaknesses as the test is a complete compilation of your Civil Engineering curriculim.
You don’t need to study for it in freshman year, but knowing the topics and keeping good notes in the core classes will save you a lot of review time later.
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