The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles data on the unemployment rates for a variety of professions. The Bureau data on unemployment rates for engineers show that the maximum unemployment rate in the ten years from 1963 to 1973, for engineers, was slightly more than three percent in early 1971. This unemployment rate was approximately half the rate for all workers in the United States at this time. During "the best of times" (1963 69), the average unemployment rate was only one percent, with the highest rate being slightly more than two percent in early 1964 and the lowest being less than 0.5 percent in late 1966. Since the great decline in the demand for aerospace and defense engineers in the early 1970s, the unemployment rate for engineers dropped from the all time high of 3.2 percent in 1971 to a level of approximately 1 to 1.5 percent in the mid 1970s. Likewise, in the years 1991 to 1995, unemployment among engineers hit a low of 2 percent and a peak of just over 4 percent, the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Thus, it appears that even when the national spotlight hit the soft employment picture for engineers, their unemployment rate was still considerably lower than the unemployment rate for all workers in the United States.
Specifically, what can be reported about the unemployment rate for civil engineers? In general, the unemployment rate, associated with fluctuations in supply and demand, varies much less from year to year for civil engineers than for engineers in other branches. This is true for several reasons. First, civil engineers are engaged in activities which for the most part are associated with the necessary day to day activities of today's society. The various engineering specializations correspond to activities necessary for the health and welfare of the population. For example, it is hard to imagine that a civil engineer engaged in obtaining and distributing water supplies to a large American city suddenly would be unemployed as a result of a minor economic recession. Civil engineers engaged in other forms of public works activities such as solid waste management, wastewater treatment, traffic control, and other similar activities are hardly candidates for being among the unemployed even during periods of economic depression.
A second factor that helps to prevent any drastic fluctuations in the demand for civil engineers is the fact that in times of economic depression, the federal government in the United States traditionally has attempted to use some public works programs to help revitalize the national economy. Of course, these activities must be planned, designed, and supervised by civil engineers. As a consequence, civil engineers are in demand even when some of their professional colleagues in architecture or other branches of engineering may have difficulty finding suitable jobs.
A third factor tending to lead to a more constant demand for civil engineers, when compared to that for other types of engineers, is the fact that many civil engineers are employed by federal, state, and local governments and are not subject to the hiring and firing policies of industrial corporations. In general, employment with governmental agencies is much steadier and more secure than employment with private corporations.
Finally, another factor in the relatively steady demand for civil engineers arises from the fact that they are generally able to find employment in all parts of the world. Civil engineers, in contrast to other types of engineers whose activities are directly related to industrial societies, may be employed in "developing" nations on public works projects designed to improve living conditions in those countries. In times when market fluctuations restrict industrial output and possibly lead to the unemployment of engineers associated with manufacturing and industrial production, civil engineers will find relatively steady employment since their activities are related to long term goals of improving living conditions; developing water supply, power, and transportation systems; and constructing the structures and facilities related to such systems.
Since this brief analysis of the job market indicates that civil engineering graduates will find little difficulty in obtaining employment, it appears that it may be more important for a person considering a career in civil engineering to think about choosing the right job rather than being concerned with whether or not a job would be available.
The prospective graduate of a civil engineering curriculum is likely to be confronted with a considerable list of job offers or opportunities in the weeks before graduation. Most of these job opportunities will appear to be worthwhile and relatively attractive. This is logical, since recruiters who visit college campuses attempt to present their companies and agencies in as favorable a light as possible. As a consequence, the new civil engineer may be faced with a serious problem in selecting that one job that will best suit her or his individual capabilities and desires.
In order to select that one "best" job, the prospective graduate and even the experienced civil engineer seeking a new job should evaluate several major factors concerning job offers. These factors include: personal preferences; the professional reputation of the prospective employer; the opportunities for career advancement, including continued education in the jobs offered; and the salary, fringe benefits, and job security conditions that accompany a particular job offer.
