When people ask me what I mean when I say I am going to school to be a civil engineer, I respond in one of two ways.
The first way is the simple answer: I want to build roads, bridges, buildings, and things.
This answer bluntly gets the point across. People understand what civil engineers work on without me elaborating on my passions and motivation. This answer is good for icebreakers and introducing yourself to someone.
On the other hand, the second answer is one I save for when I have more time and want to tell the person why I chose to pursue a civil engineering degree. My honest answer for being a civil engineer goes a little something like this:
Being a civil engineer means I want to build things; most people can get that. Beyond that, civil engineering is one of the engineering disciplines that doesn’t make much sense when you first hear it. Mechanical engineers build machines, chemical engineers utilize chemical reactions in equipment, and so on. But doesn’t civil mean ‘for the people,’ like civilians? How does someone engineer for the people?
Civil engineers design and build infrastructure that allows people to do their daily tasks and function within society. This infrastructure includes:
The roads that take people to work, home for the holidays, and to school every day.
Office buildings that allow people to provide an income for their families.
The water and sewer systems that keep our water clean and homes safe.
Bridges that connect people who otherwise would be unable to meet.
As a civil engineer, I hope to build infrastructure systems that are resistant to natural disasters and ensure people’s safety as they go about their daily lives. Prioritizing resilience and sustainability in infrastructure guarantees we are mindful of the resources we are using. Many communities are grossly underserved when it comes to infrastructure improvements. It is necessary that when they do get improvements, they are ones that will last a lifetime. Additionally, utilizing renewable and sustainable materials prevents us from harming the planet further.
Civil engineers are a crucial part of society. Without their contributions, we would not have the luxury of convenience and safety that we do now. I encourage you to take a break next time you are on your commute, crossing a river, or sitting at your desk, and consider the hard work, care, and dedication a civil engineer puts in to allow you to be there.
