Consulting civil engineer
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Civil engineers are involved with the design, development and construction of a huge range of projects in the built and natural environment. Their role is central to ensuring the safe, timely and well-resourced completion of projects in many areas, including highway construction, waste management, coastal development and geotechnical engineering.
Consulting civil engineers liaise with clients to plan, manage, design and supervise the construction of projects. They work in a number of different settings and, with experience, can run projects as a project manager. Civil engineering offers many opportunities as well as the satisfaction of helping to improve and enhance public quality of life in many settings.
Within civil engineering, consulting engineers are the designers whereas contracting engineers turn their plans into reality. Consulting civil engineers provide a wide range of services to clients. During the early stages of a career, work will involve taking responsibility for minor projects, but the size of the projects may increase as experience is gained. Typical work activities include:
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
This area of work is open to graduates of civil/structural engineering. An honours degree, accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) , is essential for gaining Chartered Engineer (MICE CEng) status with the ICE.
It may be possible to enter this profession as a graduate with a Bachelor of science or another engineering discipline, but you may be limited as to how far you can progress in your career. Entry with an HND only is unusual, but diplomates can top up their HND with a degree and can gain Incorporated Engineer (MICE IEng) status.
In order to achieve chartered membership of the ICE, the first stage is to satisfy the requirements of the educational base. This means either taking an MEng (Hons) or doing a BEng (Hons) plus a relevant postgraduate degree or following a suitable employer-led learning programme. The second stage involves undertaking Initial Professional Development, preferably through an ICE-approved training scheme. The final stage is to meet the requirements of the Professional Review.
Full details on routes into civil engineering can be found in the careers section of the ICE website.
Relevant summer work experience and placements can be very useful in providing a context to job applications as well as networking opportunities. Contact the ICE or take a look at online resources such as Technology Horizons to find out about industrial placements. Degree courses that provide a year in industry can also be very helpful in developing contacts. The engineering world is an active community which provides a variety of opportunities for new entrants to network and build on their knowledge of the industry.
Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Employers select candidates because of the experience and skills they can bring to a role. However, it is important to be aware that gaining the relevant experience and skills and becoming professionally chartered takes a significant length of time.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Training is undertaken whilst working and involves design and planning-focused work within the office in addition to site-based activities. Many employers offer structured training schemes to meet Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) requirements for chartership. As well as structured training and development, these schemes also provide support through a mentor/supervising civil engineer. It is important to check with employers during the selection process to see if they operate such a scheme for graduates and if you will be offered a place on the scheme. The ICE Approved Employers Search provides details of companies that offer approved training schemes.
To join an approved training scheme you must first enter into a training agreement with your employer. This guarantees that the employer will provide structured training which will help you to reach the various development objectives necessary to achieve chartership.
An example of a development objective is to 'Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems'
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In order to gain chartership status, a graduate would have to show how he or she had achieved this development objective in terms of taking into account criteria such as:
A combination of personal reports (e.g. diaries, continuing professional development (CPD) records), work documents (e.g. drawings, calculations) and the testimony of others have to be provided to demonstrate that you have achieved the development objective.
CPD is an important element of career progression for civil engineers. The ICE provides guidelines for effective CPD and specific types of activities. The ICE and other key professional bodies such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) offer conferences, courses and workshops on a range of subjects.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Consulting civil engineers can work on a variety of projects whilst gaining experience and working towards chartered status. Once you have achieved chartered status, you can take on further responsibilities and manage larger projects. These responsibilities may include marketing or business development, especially in smaller consultancies. Scope for gaining experience in different areas is usually down to the nature of your employer rather than the actual size. This means it is essential to fully research the industry and the approach of individual companies. The main Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) website and its linked recruitment website provide information about specific companies. Company websites can also provide a useful insight.
Careers can develop in a number of ways and some employers may offer the flexibility to choose a specialist area of work. To develop a career at a fast pace, geographical mobility is useful. With experience, it is possible to work abroad if employed by a large, multinational company.
Employers vary as to how they develop and promote engineers, but generally graduates begin at graduate engineer level. Once chartership has been achieved, promotion to senior engineer level is possible, followed by principal engineer level with further experience. Job titles for more senior positions will vary between employers. Progress may be possible beyond these roles. You may find that your career prospects are negatively affected if you do not gain chartered status.
Civil engineers can specialise in a diverse range of areas, including coastal and marine, power, water and public health, rail, tunnelling, highways and transportation, structural work and the environment.
Active membership in the ICE at student level and beyond is advisable as it provides valuable networking opportunities and enhances career prospects. As well as linking with the key industry bodies, career development (particularly at the early stages of your career) can be supported by attendance at industry events such as the annual 'Civils' exhibition, supported by the ICE and the New Civil Engineer .
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Whilst consulting civil engineers are employed mainly by civil engineering consultancies, employers may also include:
The choice of jobs, employers, specialist areas and locations varies widely. This is a diverse and developing industry with increasing emphasis on partnerships between organisations, sustainability and environmental considerations. Employers can range in size from those employing a relatively small number of engineers to those that employ thousands. Some employers, especially the smaller companies, specialise in particular aspects of consultancy such as design for projects in drainage, water or railways. The larger consultancy firms may offer their consultancy services across a wide variety of specialisms.
Specialist recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
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