As a Civil Engineer you may be seeking a new job opportunity. You believe that you have the qualifications and experience to land your dream job. You initiate the job application process by completing your online application, attaching your CV and creating the perfect LinkedIn profile. You expect to be inundated with interview requests, yet nobody has contacted you – what could the reason be for the lack of interest?

The engineering industry is teeming with Civil Engineers who are qualified technicians, while this is a great skill to have, you should consider specialising in a particular field of expertise as this is what the market demands. When you become a specialist in your field, you gain in-depth knowledge and working experience that not all professionals have, giving you the competitive edge in the job market.

There is a shortage of specialist Civil Engineers in the engineering sector. This article provides advice and guidance on how to make the most of your career as a Civil Engineer.

Advice for when you start your career

Gain practical experience

It is essential to gain as much practical experience as you can and to make a decision regarding the area in which you would like to specialise. Practical experience during your studies is crucial. Make an effort to expose yourself to the various disciplines related to civil engineering, whether it be water, structures, infrastructure or urban development so that you can make an informed decision about the niche in which you would like to specialise.

Keep abreast of developments in the civil engineering sector by following successful organisations on social media and other platforms. Find out if these organisations are employing Civil Engineers and if they offer the type of projects you would like to participate in.

Develop your engineering skills at every opportunity. Become involved in all aspects of the business. Take the initiative and learn as much as you can from senior engineers. This will teach you to take the lead and be confident in your skills as a Civil Engineering professional.

Focus on ending your academic studies strongly
Ensure that you focus on your final year dissertation. Senior engineers tend to evaluate it to gauge how analytical you are. Your academic records will be scrutinised to assess your understanding of engineering principles, and it is important to demonstrate strong academic results. You may want to consider including your final year results as an addendum to your CV when making contact with prospective employers.

Register as a professional engineer
The sooner you gain enough experience to register as a professional engineer, the better. An ECSA registration increases your chances of employment, especially if you choose to specialise in a niche area. Professional registration provides you with the authority to approve designs and projects, and will stand you in good stead for managerial roles as your career develops.

Have a long-term career plan
Identify your long-term career goals and focus on achieving these as part of your overall career development plan. A realistic and achievable career development plan puts your options in perspective and will enable you to make sound decisions.

Curriculum Vitae
Your CV plays an important role when applying for a new position. Make sure that it is up to date and includes any experience which you have gained. Highlight any specialist projects which you may have worked on. If, for instance, they are looking for a specialist in roads, having SANRAL experience and an ECSA registration gives you a competitive edge. Having a detailed project list that you can provide to prospective employers will ensure that they have a clear understanding of your experience and scope of responsibility.