Engineers within the Construction industry are skilled in design, problem-solving, maintenance of physical structures, relationship building and much more. According to the Civil Engineering Department Website, “the built environment encompasses much of what defines modern civilization”. Construction includes buildings, bridges, roads, railroads, subway systems, airports, water supply systems and more.
Individuals will be expected to learn the technical skills to excel within the industry and build relationships with other engineers, architects, skilled tradespeople, homeowners and more.
industry insights
Use this Firsthand guide to access exclusive information about this industry.
sample employers in lionshare
- AECOM
- NYC Department of Design & Construction
- Monadnock Construction, Inc.
- Turner Construction Company
- China Construction America, Inc.
Focus Areas in Construction
Here is a sample list of applied areas in this industry:
construction management
Construction Management involves the effective management of financial resources, human resources, projects, and staff supervision. This occupation requires the ability to work in multiple different aspects of construction simultaneously. This individual would generally have skills in leadership, time management, teamwork and more.
compliance
Compliance is associated with the legal side of the construction industry. A focus area in compliance allows individuals in this occupation to be solely focused on the legal requirements, extensive building and safety codes.
engineering & architectural
Construction has multiple different parts to the overall industry. Engineering & Architectural individuals are focused on the way in which the specific building or home is being structured or designed. Engineering in construction is more precisely known as Civil Engineering. Architects are the individuals concentrating on the art of designing a building.
GOVERNMENT
There are opportunities to work on construction projects for the local, state or federal government. There are multiple offices and agencies focusing on construction, real estate and more within the construction industry.
Specialty TRADE CONTRACTORS
Specialty trade contractors are the individuals who are primarily responsible for specific occupations within construction projects. Their role includes electrical work, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and more.
Columbia Resources
- Science Technology Engineering Internship Program (STEP) and other CCE sponsored international and national internship programs
- Career Fairs and Networking Events: Attend our career fairs and special events throughout the year including the Engineering Consortium Career Fair and Startup Career Fair.
- Engineering Industry Showcase: Held in the Spring semester, offers a panel session and networking opportunities with representatives from a variety of engineering disciplines.
- See what Columbia students have gone on to do with their degree with CCE’s What Can You Do With A Degree in Civil Engineering tipsheet.
- Student Organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers at Columbia and Engineers without Borders provide great opportunities to build skills and gain experience.
- Steel Bridge Competition put on by the Robert A.W. Carleton Strength of Materials Laboratory is a great way to gain experience.
- You can find information on opportunities and innovation in the field on the Civil Engineering Department website.
- Information on the FE Exam (Students should find out from their academic advisor whether their desired career path requires EIT/PE certification)
External Resources
Professional Associations
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)
- Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- Institution of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers
- The American Council of Engineering Companies
Internship/Job Boards
- Pathways to Science: To find programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities as well as resources and materials pertaining to recruitment, retention, and mentoring
- National Science Foundation REU Sites: The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation
- American Academy for Advancement of Science: A resource list of AAAS career development programs
- Engineering Jobs – Civil: This component of the EngineeringJobs.net site is catered specifically to jobs in the civil engineering industry
- ACECNY: A proactive coalition of more than 270 firms representing every discipline of engineering related to the built environment — civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical — and affiliated companies.
- Research Gate: A network dedicated to science and research. Connect, collaborate and discover scientific publications, jobs and conferences
- Engineering Central: Lists engineering positions and resumes across all engineering disciplines
- Engineer.net: A broad-scale engineering job-search engine that many companies use to find new talent
Professional Journals
