what is a civil engineer?
As a civil engineer, you use your infrastructure operations and construction expertise to supervise construction projects. The job involves designing, constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects. You oversee the process to ensure that high-quality standards are adhered to during construction. You also participate in cost estimation for the materials and quantities required on the work site. In some projects, you only provide technical advice for structural repairs, programme modifications and design changes.
As a civil engineer, you determine the strength and adequacy of the foundations by testing the materials or soils. You determine how the load requirement is affected by the materials' stress factors and the soil's water flow rates. You also use drawing tools and design software like AutoCAD to ensure the construction project meets government standards.
Working in a civil engineering role requires extensive industry knowledge since you apply engineering principles to the project's blueprints and technical drawings. Time management is vital to ensure resources are fully utilised and that the project gets completed within the projected time.
Would working as a civil engineer suit your expertise in technical drawing and interpreting blueprints? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in the role of a civil engineer.
civil engineer jobsaverage civil engineer salary
The average earnings of a civil engineer in Greece is €44,000 per year or an equivalent hourly rate of €21. You may also take home an average yearly bonus of approximately €1,400. As an entry-level civil engineer with minimal experience, you are likely to handle simple projects. When you have one to three years of experience, you can start with a salary of €30,000 per year. On the higher end of the salary scale, you take home over €54,000 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a civil engineer?
Your earnings fluctuate based on personal factors like experience and qualifications. External factors, such as the location and company's size, also impact your earning potential. If you have additional qualifications or are a professionally licensed civil engineer in Greece, you can demand a higher salary. Your experience determines the complexity of the projects you handle. As a senior civil engineer, you take on complex projects with large budgets.
The size of the company you work for also determines your earning prospects. Working in a large organisation will likely increase your potential salary since you work on complex projects and have access to more resources. Large companies also handle huge projects with big budgets. Small companies may have budgetary constraints and cannot afford to pay higher salaries.
types of civil engineers
Civil engineers have various specialisation options focusing on different study areas and projects. Some types of civil engineers include:
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structural engineers
A structural engineer specializes in designing and developing large structures that can withstand harsh weather. As a structural engineer, you ensure the materials used to construct a bridge for example can withstand high winds and other natural events. You also study the gravitational properties of structures and calculate their weight-bearing capacities.
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construction engineers
As a civil engineer, you can specialise in building and constructing houses. You oversee the design and construction of commercial buildings, hospitals and water treatment plants. You ensure the buildings are functional and follow building code regulations.
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geotechnical engineers
As a geotechnical engineer, you study the natural rocks, soil and materials that support a built system. You also study the composition of earth materials and advise the construction team on the building style that a particular slope can handle.
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transportation engineers
You can specialise in designing transport and network systems like railways and airports. You develop designs for infrastructure projects and designate safe pathways for various forms of transportation.
working as a civil engineer
Let’s dive into the daily activities of civil engineers, including the work schedule and work environments.
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what does a civil engineer do?
Some of the standard tasks of civil engineers include:
- Consulting on projects: as a civil engineer, you liaise with clients to establish their project requirements. If you are working on a building, you discuss the size, material quantities, and location with the client or architect.
- Designing and developing project plans: while you don't draw building plans, you prepare drawings and blueprints with technical specifications. You ensure the design follows the architectural drawing by providing technical information and measurements for the structure. You also resolve any issues that arise during the design and development stage.
- Overseeing materials and equipment purchases: as a civil engineer, you participate in all aspects of the project, including communicating with suppliers and providing information on the equipment required for the job. Since your job involves ascertaining structural stability, you study the soil and weather conditions in the area and choose the ideal materials for building a structurally sound project.
- Evaluating the environmental impact of projects: as a civil engineer, you ensure the infrastructure project doesn't adversely affect the environment. You evaluate the environmental impact by studying the soil and rock structure before construction, as you must ensure the project doesn't interfere with its formation. When you understand the ground conditions, you can adjust the construction style to avoid damaging the environment.
- Ensuring the construction project meets safety standards: as a civil engineer, you ensure construction plans meet the relevant legal requirements. You adhere to construction and engineering laws and regulations in Greece to guarantee safe construction methods.
- Completing projects on time: most civil engineering projects have cost and time constraints, and you are responsible for ensuring project completion within the stipulated time. You also oversee the cost implications of every decision to make sure you stay within budget.
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work environment of a civil engineer
As a civil engineer, you work indoors and outdoors. You work in office environments during the design stage and visit the site when construction commences to ensure the construction team completes the work as expected. The role involves travelling to work sites in different locations, either during a project or for your next project. While you can work from home when designing the project, you visit construction sites regularly.
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who are your colleagues?
As a civil engineer, you mainly work on infrastructure and building projects and are likely to work with project managers, architects, site managers and project engineers. You also work alongside other engineers, including structural engineers, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers. Other professionals you collaborate with include cost estimators, accountants and quantity surveyors.
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civil engineer work schedule
The work schedule of a civil engineer is 40 hours a week. You usually work from Monday to Friday in full-time positions. While part-time civil engineering positions are rare, you can work on short-term contracts before moving on to the next project.
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career opportunities as a civil engineer
As a civil engineer, you begin your career as a graduate trainee or junior civil engineer. Later, you can become the lead engineer or director of engineering. The role provides a clear path for career progression, including becoming a construction or project manager. Some civil engineers become architects or consultants in the construction industry. If you want to progress through specialisation, you have many options, including structural, geotechnical and environmental engineer roles.
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advantages of finding a job as a civil engineer through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- a range of jobs in your area
civil engineer skills and education
As a civil engineer, you handle the technical aspects of a project. Hence, you require a high level of education in the industry of your choice. Some of the requirements for the role include:
- Bachelor’s degree: to become a civil engineer, pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. The degree course takes five years and equips you with knowledge of infrastructure design and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software. For senior roles, your employer may require a master's degree.
- Work experience and licences: you require extensive experience to work as a civil engineer. You can gain relevant skills through internships and graduate programs. To work in Greece, get a professional engineer’s licence by completing an exam with the Technical Chamber of Greece. It is also important to register with the Association of Civil Engineers of Greece.
competencies and characteristics of civil engineers
Civil engineers require the following qualities:
- Maths skills: you rely on advanced mathematical principles to analyse designs and create structurally sound projects. Your maths skills enable you to calculate the details of every aspect of the project accurately.
- Leadership skills: you oversee workers during construction and interact with various professionals to discuss project details. The role requires leadership skills to help you guide people and inspire them towards a common goal.
- Decision-making skills: construction and infrastructure projects are complex and involve many steps. Your role as a civil engineer involves making complex decisions throughout the construction and design stages.
- Problem-solving skills: as a civil engineer, you rely on engineering principles to solve structural problems and other issues that arise during construction. Your problem-solving skills also help you find cost-effective solutions.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a civil engineer.
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what are the duties of a civil engineer?
As a civil engineer, you are in charge of the design and construction of infrastructure and building projects. You undertake technical and feasibility studies to determine the perfect designs. You use computer software to prepare technical drawings for structures and ensure the project complies with the legal requirements and building regulations.
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what is the salary of a civil engineer?
The median salary of a civil engineer in Greece is €44,000 per year. In an entry-level position, you start with a salary of approximately €30,000 annually. As you improve your experience and skills, you are likely to earn more. Senior civil engineers take home over €54,000 per year.
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what is the difference between an architect and a civil engineer?
As a civil engineer, you oversee the entire construction process, from initial design to project completion. You develop the technical specifications of projects and oversee the construction process. Architects are responsible for developing the design and planning of the structures of buildings.
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what makes a good civil engineer?
As a civil engineer, you require knowledge of building and construction. Your design and computer skills are also useful in creating CAD or AutoCAD technical drawings. With your attentiveness to details, you can identify issues that arise during design. The role also requires interpersonal skills since you collaborate with various professionals.
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is civil engineering a good career?
Working as a civil engineer is a promising career with impressive job prospects. You have many specialisation options to branch into. Plus, you develop impressive skills that help you progress to higher positions in your career.
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how do I find a job as a civil engineer?
Finding a job near you as a civil engineer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
