Civil Engineering
Design the infrastructure of modern society: bridges, roads, and cities
What You'll Study
Civil Engineering is the oldest engineering discipline. It focuses on the built environment—designing, constructing, and maintaining physical structures like bridges, roads, dams, skyscrapers, and water systems.
- Structural Analysis
- Geotechnical Engineering (Soil/Rock)
- Transportation Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Construction Management
- Fluid Mechanics / Hydraulics
- Surveying
- Urban Planning Basics
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You are fascinated by skyscrapers, bridges, and huge structures
- ✓You want a job that usually requires a professional license (PE)
- ✓You like seeing large-scale physical results of your work
- ✓You enjoy teamwork and project management
- ✓You are interested in sustainability and cities
- ✓You want stability (infrastructure is always needed)
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You dislike outdoor work or job sites
- ✕You find regulations and codes boring
- ✕You want to invent fast-changing tech (CE is slow/steady)
- ✕You struggle with physics statics
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Do you admire bridges or skyline buildings?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
Civil Engineer
Design, build, and maintain infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems.
Environmental Engineer
Develop solutions to environmental problems including pollution control, waste management, and sustainability.
Management Consultant
Advise organizations on strategy, operations, and transformation to improve performance and solve complex problems.
Other Common Career Paths
- •Structural Engineer
- •Transportation Engineer
- •Construction Manager
- •Urban Planner
Industries
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Build a bridge out of popsicle sticks or spaghetti and test how much weight it holds.
Visit a local construction site (safely from outside) and identify the machinery used.
Design a modification to a local dangerous intersection to improve safety.
Related Majors
Architecture
Design functionality, safety, and beauty for buildings and spaces
Environmental Engineering
Use engineering to protect the planet and public health
Mechanical Engineering
Design anything with moving parts, from engines to robots
Civil Engineering
Design the infrastructure of modern society: bridges, roads, and cities
Frequently Asked Questions
No, infrastructure demand is constant.
Yes! Civil Engineering is the field where the PE license is most critical.
Modern CE is very focused on sustainability ("Green Building").
Yes, engineering principles are universal, but codes differ.
Good pay, stable, but tech/software often pays more initially.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Civil Engineering is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.