Civil Engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that its history dates back to the first time somebody built a shade to protect himself/herself from the rain or the first time somebody laid down a tree trunk to cross a river.

With infrastructure playing a crucial role in the overall progress of a country’s economy in the present day, civil engineering is considered to be one of the most important engineering fields. Thus, the demand for civil engineers has also gone up. Although civil engineering is broadly divided into two categories – structural designs and construction, many specialized areas have also evolved.




Civil Engineering is one of the highest paying professions and offers a variety of career options. If you are currently pursuing a degree in civil engineering or contemplating a career in the same, here are the different types of jobs you can explore and choose as your career option:

1. Construction Engineering

Construction engineering involves managing an entire construction project right from planning and execution, to transportation of materials, and site development. Despite a formal degree in civil engineering, the job of construction engineers is more business-like in nature.

It usually involves drafting and reviewing contracts, gauging logistical operations, and keeping a check on the overall cost of the construction project.

2. Structural Engineering

The work of a structural engineer is to study and analyze structural designs such as buildings, towers, bridges, tunnels, flyovers, offshore structures, etc. This field of engineering is concerned with identifying the loads, their corresponding effect on a particular type of structure, and designing a structure that is safe and supports the loads.

3. Surveying Engineering

This branch of civil engineering deals in surveying and leveling using different instruments to shape a particular piece of land. Surveying and leveling are done to identify and measure property lines for laying out structures for construction. Generally, this field of civil engineering is classified into two categories– plane surveying and geodetic surveying.

4. Transportation Engineering

Transportation engineering is concerned with designing new and maintaining the already existing roadways and public transportation systems. The major task of a transportation engineer is to design a system or redesign an existing one in such a way that it improves the overall traffic movement patterns, lightens traffic congestion and prevents accidents from happening.

5. Geotechnical Engineering

This civil engineering branch deals with studying the rock and the soil of the area where the civil structures are currently standing or will be planned for construction in the future. Geotechnology plays a key role in all civil engineering projects built on the ground, and it is vital for the assessment of natural risks such as earthquakes, liquefaction, sinkholes, rockfalls, and landslides.

6. Water Resource Engineering

This type of civil engineering is concerned with the designing and construction of hydraulic structures, including dams, canals, and water distribution systems. The primary job of a water resource engineer is to design and construct a hydraulic structure. It also includes strictly adhering to the necessary implementation and safety precautions while constructing. Those who specialize in water resources engineering, they can find job opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, government, and business sectors.

7. Environmental Engineering

Increasing environmental issues have given rise to a new field of engineering– environmental engineering. This branch of engineering deals with developing ways to prevent pollution of the natural environment and conserving highly polluted areas. Its scope also extends to urban planning as well as maintaining the health and safety of the indoor environments.

8. Material Engineering

Material Engineering includes studying the fundamental characteristics of different types of construction materials such as concrete, metals, and thermosetting polymers. Material engineers apply their knowledge of applied physics and chemistry to study the properties of different materials to produce new materials with desired characteristics.

9. Coastal Engineering

Coastal engineering deals in designing and construction of coastal and marine structures such as groynes and embankments. Coastal engineers are responsible for erecting the structures correctly without unsettling their surrounding coastal regions. Find out more about civil engineering career opportunities in the Middle East.

10. Forensic Engineering

Forensic Engineering is a branch of civil engineering that is concerned with investigating the reasons why some structures, materials, and components fail.

You can choose one or decide to specialize in a number of different fields. However, the major requirement for pursuing civil engineering job is to have a stronghold in mathematics and science. Having a post-graduate degree in the field will automatically make you more attractive to employers and improve your prospects of securing a high-paying job. Therefore, it is highly advisable to keep learning to expand your skillset.