"You need to be out on the site to learn about it, collect data and oversee the work. What’s so exciting about civil engineering is how dynamic and site-specific it is – there is nothing cookie-cutter about it!”
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When you ask most people what an engineer does, they’ll often say that engineers “build bridges and roads.”
Of all the engineering disciplines, civil engineering is the discipline that creates some of the most impactful and visible examples of engineering excellence.
Civil engineers have a profound influence in shaping our world. They are responsible for designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure – the buildings, bridges, transportation networks, water treatment and distribution networks and so much more – that define our cities and built environment.
Their work has a significant impact on the sustainability of our planet and the equity of our communities. Civil engineers play a vital role in mitigating the greenhouse gas emissions that infrastructure creates and in enhancing infrastructure resilience, particularly in earthquake-prone areas and with a changing climate.
What is civil engineering and what do civil engineers do?
Civil engineering is a very broad discipline centred around the design, planning and maintenance of civil infrastructure.
That’s all the things we see in our built environment that we rely on every day, like the buildings where we live and work; the roads, bridges and transit systems we use to get from point A to point B; and the systems that provide reliable and safe drinking water.
But civil engineering is also involved in critical areas that aren’t as visible. Civil engineers work on wastewater treatment, coastline engineering, hydraulic infrastructure (like dams, canals and levees), watershed and airshed management, freight logistics, disaster response and recovery, and geotechnical designs for foundations, slopes and tunnels. In addition, due to the scope and complexity of civil infrastructure projects, some civil engineers specialize in project and construction management.
“This is a very wide-ranging and interdisciplinary field,” says Dr. Alex Bigazzi, Associate Professor and Associate Head of the undergraduate program.
“Some civil engineers might primarily apply the principles of solid or fluid mechanics, while others utilize more knowledge from chemistry or microbiology. Transportation engineers like myself need to know as much about human behaviour and psychology as they do the concrete and asphalt components of roads and transportation systems.”
What kinds of jobs could I get as a civil engineer?
Civil engineers work in both the public and private sectors. Besides public agencies, many are employed by consulting firms that work with government clients on large infrastructure projects, or private clients who are developing industrial facilities, housing or commercial buildings.
“One of the great things about being a civil engineer is that it is quite resilient to economic cycles,” says Dr. Bigazzi.
“When the economy is doing well, there are lots of large projects underway. When the economy is struggling, governments will often invest in infrastructure projects to provide economic stimulus. That means there is a steady demand for civil engineers, rather than the spikes and drops that we might see in other areas.”
Civil engineers work in many different contexts. Although you could find yourself working in an office, you might also need to spend time in your work boots and high-viz vest out on a construction site or conducting fieldwork in a watershed.
“Every project location has its own specific history, context, environmental conditions and user groups,” says Dr. Bigazzi.
“You need to be out on the site to learn about it, collect data and oversee the work. What’s so exciting about civil engineering is how dynamic and site-specific it is – there is nothing cookie-cutter about it!”
Civil engineers work with lots of different people. You will find yourself on teams with other civil engineers, but you’ll also be working with engineers from other disciplines, architects, planners, policymakers, decisionmakers, the public, tradespeople and construction crews.
What broader trends are impacting civil engineering?
The projects that civil engineers design must meet certain technical criteria (those bridges need to be able to withstand extreme weather and natural disasters for decades into the future). But they must also meet other important goals, like cost efficiency and environmental and social impacts.
Civil engineers also have a critical role to play in reconciliation with Indigenous people, because of the enormous impacts of civil infrastructure on the land and the environment.
The need to broaden design criteria beyond technical and cost considerations means that civil engineers need to bring an even more multidisciplinary perspective to their work.
“Environmental, social and equity concerns are now often an explicit part of the design process,” says Dr. Bigazzi.
“This is a good thing because it means we are producing better work, but it also requires a broader way of thinking and considering more dimensions than just least-cost designs.” Other innovative trends that are impacting the field include the growing use of artificial intelligence in design and incorporating augmented reality on construction sites to enhance the efficiency and safety of construction projects. There will always be something new for civil engineers to learn and apply!
Interested?
Learn more about civil engineering and how it could be a great choice for you.
- Check out the design teams with a civil engineering focus, from UBC Concrete Canoe to Third Quadrant Design, which has built an award-winning net-zero building on campus.
- Check out our undergraduate design studio.
- Watch our video on civil engineering.
- Take a look at the capstone projects past students have worked on by filtering your search for “civil engineering.”
Civil Engineering Undergraduate Page
Dr. Bigazzi has some final words of advice for students thinking about civil engineering.
“Get curious about the world around you and start to notice how things are designed – from the roads to the buildings to the coastline. Think about the role that infrastructure plays in your life, and how you might want to use your skills to improve the lives of others.
“In terms of preparation, a solid foundation in math and physics will set you up for success as a civil engineer. But your success depends on a broader set of skills as well. So pursue your passions in community organizations, student groups, design teams, team athletics or other things you love to continue developing those communication and teamwork skills you’ll need to thrive in your career.”
