Have you ever imagined yourself projecting great works like bridges, viaducts and buildings? These and other opportunities you find in the civil engineering job market, because the civil engineer is responsible for designing, managing and executing large and small works within your personal taste and market possibilities.
The supervision of each stage of a construction goes through the engineer’s sieve. During the graduation the professional is prepared to act from the management to the hand in the mass. The classes are focused on electricity, hydraulics, finishing, soil, sanitation, etc. A range that makes the civil engineer complete in his territory of performance.
For the student who is thinking of taking a university degree in civil engineering – and even for those who are already studying – it is important to analyze the profile, the market and the different areas that the engineer can work in. Thinking about it, we have prepared this article in which you will find everything about this promising territory even after times of crisis.
Profile of the civil engineering professional
It is a career that is among the most sought after by the vestibulans, together with law and medicine. Because of the high demand, some people may think it is a stagnant sector. On the contrary: this is a territory that is always in search of new, qualified and updated professionals.
We emphasize that, before choosing a profession, it is important that the student pays attention to the profile of the professional. There are several responsibilities of the civil engineer in a construction site or inside an office. In addition, he may hold public positions, hold competitions and/or open his own company. Some assignments are:
- ability with numbers;
- ease with technology;
- know how to deal with pressure;
- proactivity;
- to be communicative.
The engineer needs to deal with different teams within a work: from the contractor to the workers. Therefore, a spirit of leadership is essential to keep a project aligned.
Areas of expertise of the civil engineer
It is the civil engineer who will take care of from planning to the final execution of a work, regardless of its size. Therefore, he can act in diverse areas, within teams or individually.
Doing the construction projects and/or renovation of roads, houses, buildings and all kinds of construction;
- evaluating ongoing works in relation to the technical aspects;
- calculate dimensions and material required for the work;
- monitoring and checking safety conditions;
- follow the building laws and prepare management reports;
- provide consulting services in the civil construction sector;
- design and create basic sanitation flow.
In addition to civil construction, the civil engineering job market allows the professional to work in administrative positions such as project and people management. In other words, the engineer is a versatile specialist, which ends up opening even more the range of opportunities.
Career opportunities in multinationals
The opportunities for the civil engineer are not limited to the Brazilian scope. Multinational companies are everywhere and there is always a chance for the professional seeking a solid career, whether in Brazil or abroad.
The headquarters of these companies are usually installed in capitals, such as São Paulo and Porto Velho, for instance. The opportunities appear from north to south. However, this does not mean that the engineer will act only in these places, being common that they need to move to other states and countries.
Many vacancies are also offered directly in companies abroad, without the need of a Brazilian headquarters. For that, besides the fluent English and a good curriculum, preferably in that same language, the civil engineer must be prepared to deal with a different culture.
Most of the opportunities are in countries like Germany, United States, China and Norway – developed countries that have greater demand for infrastructure. Remember that, in this case, qualification is an indispensable factor to apply for one of the vacancies.
Changes in the profession after the economic crisis
Some problems hit the civil construction scenario a few years ago, but this did not prevent the sector from recovering and growing again in the last year. With the positive perspectives, the civil engineering market should once again consolidate itself among the most promising in Brazil.
The challenges are still real, so the student who chooses to take a degree in civil engineering must pay attention to the broad branch of work that this area offers. This is because the lack of qualification is still a problem faced by companies that seek competent professionals.
Besides the construction itself, the engineer needs to be a good leader, to know how to manage functions and tasks, to deal with information technologies, leaving his comfort zone to administrative areas.
Labour market requirements in civil engineering
In the same way that innovation is the main trend of the labor market as a whole, in civil engineering it would be no different.
Every day new technologies appear, new methods are tested and processes evolve. With this, the engineer starts to work with modern tools, such as drones, 3D printing, intelligent bricks, analysis sensors to monitor construction sites, computerized systems, mobile devices, management software, among others.
Even with an economic scenario that sometimes seems unfavorable to the sector, it is possible to see the famous light at the end of the tunnel, especially for those who think about starting the course for now and should graduate in 4, 5 or more years. Even those who have been in the market for years can adapt their performance through specializations.
In this context, the increasingly modern and efficient methods are already a reality. Those who are starting the Civil Engineering College have a different contact with those who need to specialize and train, which is also necessary to not be left behind.
The labor market in civil engineering has had its ups and downs, however, it has never been saturated for those who really understand the importance of always being updated and following the modernity in the sector.