Civil Engineers work in a variety of sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a big percentage of civil engineers work in Architectural & Engineer Services, Building and Residential Construction, State, Local and Federal Executive Branch. They can help to design and create structures, machines, or buildings, solve problems with existing structures or machines, or use their knowledge to prevent accidents and keep our communities safe.
A good civil engineer needs to have a diverse set of skills in order to be successful. The most important skills for a civil engineer are ones that are hard. Soft skills, such as being able to communicate with clients, are important but not as important as hard skills.
Hard skills are those that can be learned through experience or training, as opposed to soft skills. Engineering at its core is about creativity and critical thinking. It’s about developing your skills, understanding your options, and working with others to find solutions that are sustainable in the long term.
Hard Skills for civil engineers to succeed in their career include Project management, budgeting, and resource allocation Concrete and steel design and construction. Materials selection for construction. Geotechnical engineering. Hydraulics, including hydrology and hydrography of stream networks.
Hard Skills for Civil Engineers – What are needed to succeed in the industry
There are different branches of civil engineering, and each one has its own skillset. There are differences in terms of the certifications you might need as well as the technical knowledge. You will also need soft skills, which are similar across all fields. Soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and other skills that help you work more effectively and productively within a business.
1. Skills Across the Industry
Although there are a number of different branches of civil engineering, there are certain industry hard skills that you will need in most engineering jobs. This includes all of the following:
- Computer science and programming languages
- Statistics
- Advanced physics
- Advanced chemistry
- System design and analysis
- Process management
- Physical data modeling
- Conceptual and logical data modeling
- Structural analysis
- Turbines and motors
- Hydraulics
2. Computer Modeling
Computer modeling is increasingly important in the engineering world. The ability to simulate different scenarios has helped engineers to design safer, more effective structures. A computer model can be used to test for flaws and identify how changes will affect the final product.
As a civil engineer, you should be able to create and maintain computer models, as they work as simulations of the systems that will be created. It is important in many different fields of engineering today. For example, these models can help plan evacuations of planned public buildings, and they can show what would happen in various natural disasters. These simulations are important for most projects.
3. Mathematics
You don’t need to do math in your head, but you need to know how to solve numerical problems and use equations. Computers can do a lot, but they are only as good as their instructions. You need to know math to give them the instructions they need. You need to be comfortable with math and like doing it. The reality is that you can’t design solar panels or create stadiums if you don’t enjoy and know how to do the math.
4. Manufacturing Processes
Some civil engineers also need to understand different manufacturing processes, including machining, molding, forging, joining, coating, assembling, and more. These skills are important in many types of engineering jobs, and you should have a good understanding of each one, although you may not need to be an expert in them all. You will need them for jobs in manufacturing, structural, construction, chemical, and computer engineering jobs.
5. Robotics
You will have more job opportunities if you have a background that includes robotics. Today, robotics is used in many branches of engineering, including manufacturing, food industries, construction, and transport. Robots are used to move materials, perform certain precision jobs such as bolting or welding, and shape components.
6. Quality Control Systems
Another hard skill that you need is a good understanding of quality control systems. Quality control is an important aspect of any engineering project. It is the process of ensuring that the product being produced or reproduced meets acceptable standards of quality. Quality control ensures that products are delivered to customers with the attributes that they are supposed to have. You will have a major advantage when you apply for jobs in the auto industry, maritime engineering, railroads, or civil construction because they will want someone who understands how quality control systems work.
7. Computer Programming
As a civil engineer, you will use different design tools, including AutoCAD or SolidWorks. You will need to have basic programming skills to use them effectively. These tools help design components, buildings, machinery, and more.
If you plan to work in electrical or mechanical engineering, there are specialized languages including RAPID and MATLAB that you need to create designs in those fields. Other languages that you will want to have a basic understanding of include C++ and Python.
8. Project Management Skills
An important skill for civil engineers is project management. When it comes to managing projects, engineering is one of the most demanding fields that require a lot of time management skills. Engineering project management is a way to increase productivity and save time by understanding the process, roles, and responsibilities of different departments.
You can actually get certifications in project management, which will allow you to make a lot more money. You can help with large projects, and you will have higher success rates when you have this experience. It is a good idea because it opens the door for you to have more job opportunities and you will be able to advance in your career.
9. Design
When you are working on a project, it is important to be able to both create and interpret designs and blueprints. There are a lot of tools that you need to understand and master, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, AutoDesk, and others that are specific to different applications.
10. Equipment Diagnosis
You should have equipment diagnosis skills so that you understand why a robotic device might stop working or you can troubleshoot a conveyor belt. This will help you implement your designs and make you more valuable to employers. When something goes wrong, you need to be able to come up with potential ways to fix the issue.
11. Data Analysis
Data analysis is the process of extracting useful information from data. Engineering is an industry that relies on analysis. Data can be analyzed to identify areas for efficiency, productivity, quality improvement, and more. The use of data analytics has increased over the years with the availability of better tools to collect, store and analyze data.
Civil Engineers often have to work with a lot of data, and when you can make sense of it, you will be better at your job. You might need to analyze data to make decisions. At the least, you should have basic skills in Excel so that you can look at spreadsheets and understand them. You may need more advanced skills in other jobs.
12. Inventory Management
It is important to understand inventory management when you are working on a project. You may have project management responsibilities, and you would need to understand warehousing, supply chain management, purchasing, negotiation, and more. The key is to make sure that you can get the resources, equipment, and supplies that are needed for the labor crew when they are working on a project.
13. Environmental Understanding
No matter what project you work on, there is always an environmental impact. It is important for engineers to be able to assess the impact of their projects on the environment. In this industry, engineers have the ability to make a difference in the world, and when you understand the impact on the environment, you can help make decisions for the project that are more environmentally friendly.
14. Compliance
Another skill that will help in engineering is understanding compliance and the guidelines that are set. This is especially true if you are in a supervisory role, and it is important to understand compliance for both health and safety. This includes engineering standards, building codes where the project takes place, and any environmental regulations.
15. Accounting
You will need a basic understanding of accounting and finance if you want to be an engineer. This is a huge part of project management, and you have to be able to understand budgets, financial reports, and other accounting that is part of the object.
Finance and costs are a huge part of an engineering project, and it plays a role in determining different factors. You need to be able to conduct a feasibility analysis so that you will understand the cost-benefit ratio of any proposals or investments.
What are the Minimum Level Hard Skills Civil Engineer Needs?
Because there are many different branches of civil engineering, the hard skills you need will vary depending on the job you want to apply for. Even if you have most of the hard skills above, you need to plan how you will highlight them when you send in your resume. The important thing is to put together the most important hard skills for the job you want.
- For example, you need computer skills, and under computer skills, you can highlight those that are most important for the job you are applying for. The different computer skills might include word processing, Excel spreadsheets, banking, billing systems, Powerpoint, database management, graphics, and more.
- Next, you should list your technical skills. This includes computer programming and coding languages, such as Python, CAD, Javascript, CSS, HTML, and more. You might be familiar with CRM platforms or have STEM skills. If you know how to do prototyping, this is the place to list it. Cloud computing is another skill to list in this section. Highlight those skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Management skills are critical when you are applying for any job that is in a management role, or if you want to advance later. You should highlight any project management skills, business analysis, planning, logistics, or more.
- You should include your civil engineering-specific skills as well, and highlight those that relate to the job you want. Include all of your industry skills and your experience in this section with a focus on those that apply to the job you want.
Hard Skills Takeaways
Having hard skills in your field is important when you are looking for a job. Employers want to see that you are competent and capable of doing the job they hire you to do. The important thing is to organize your resume to highlight the hard skills that are specific to the job you want. This way, you will stand out in the pool of applicants.