If you were asked what branch of engineering is responsible for the building of great cities, would you know the answer? Civil engineering is the discipline of engineering responsible for some of mankind's most stunning achievements, including the design and construction of structures ranging from towering skyscrapers to underwater tunnels. And the branch of civil engineering concerned with the structural integrity of these mammoth undertakings is structural engineering. Structural engineering jobs are arguably the most demanding and necessary positions within the teams of contractors and engineers responsible for building the structures that make up our greatest cities and seeing to it that these same constructs remain safe and structurally sound for the entire duration of their uses.
Civil engineering, specifically structural engineering, is forecasted to be one of the fastest growing professions in the near future. This is because the aging infrastructure and rapid growth of many American cities has lead to the need for an overhaul of many aging structures like bridges and tunnels. Adding to the forecast of high demand for structural engineering jobs is the fact that with the rapid growth rates of US cities in general, many of the present-day structures like highways, overpasses, tunnels, and bridges will need to be altered to accommodate a previously unprecedented level of use. All in all, the future for civil engineers and the probable abundance of structural engineering jobs is a source of great comfort for those in the field, as well as a key draw for people who are entering college and looking for a prosperous career path.
In order to qualify for a number of structural engineering jobs, a bachelor's degree in civil engineering is a must. For most entry-level structural engineering jobs, a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or another, related field of engineering is sufficient. For teaching and lecturing positions, however, post-graduate degrees are required.
In order to practice engineering anywhere in the United States, an engineering license is required. Engineering licenses require an engineering degree from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) certified engineering program, along with four years of relevant work experience. Attaining an engineering license is a two-step process. The first step is completing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, which is typically done right after graduation. The second step is passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam after a suitable amount of work experience has been amassed. Most recently graduated engineers work under certified licensed engineers as interns until they have gained enough experience as an apprentice to qualify for their own engineering license.
Structural engineering jobs require a sharp mind and the ability to think analytically. Even though structural engineering jobs are quite demanding, structural engineers enjoy some of the highest wages amongst all recent graduates. The average first-year income for a structural engineer is $56,000. Since structural engineering jobs are as varied as civil structures themselves, structural engineers can specialize in a number of structures, from bridges and tunnels to stadiums and skyscrapers. Almost every city is in need of structural engineers at any given point in time, especially those that are experiencing rapid population growth. The bottom line is that while structural engineering jobs may be highly demanding, they are also highly rewarding for many of the most talented people in the engineering industry.
