Civil Engineering & Construction

Engineers within the Construction industry are skilled in design, problem solving, maintenance of physical structures, relationship building and much more. According to the Civil Engineering Department Website, “the built environment encompasses much of what defines modern civilization”. The construction industry adds value to society and the world we live in. Construction includes buildings, bridges, roads, railroads, subway systems, airports, water supply systems and more. Individuals will be expected to learn the technical skills to excel within the industry and build relationships with other engineers, architects, skilled tradespeople, homeowners and more.

industry insights

Check out Vault guides to Civil Engineers, Civil Engineering Technicians, and other related industries/jobs.

sample employers in lionshare

Focus Areas in Construction

Here is a sample list of applied areas in this industry:

construction management

Construction management is the business-oriented facet of the construction industry and encompasses the logistical side such cost control, compliance, project management, supervision, contract administration and more. Individuals involved in the construction management field apply their passion for construction as they oversee the operational decisions of the business and supervise employees.

compliance

Compliance allows for the construction industry to run overall. People who focus on compliance have the ability to ensure all legal requirements for projects are met accordingly. Also, this entails building and safety codes and collaborating with state and federal agencies.

engineering & architectural

Engineering & architecture are heavily involved within the construction industry. People who become engineers within the construction industry are civil engineers, who are involved in the design, construction and maintenance of physical structures. People who become architects within the construction industry primarily focus on the design and building structure of specific projects. Architects and engineers are needed within the construction industry to guide the design, building and foundation.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS

Real estate developers are involved and oversee the construction process for specific projects. These individuals don’t always work directly for the construction firm, but they are responsible for seeing the construction from beginning to end. As a real estate developer, you are liasons between the support of the design and construction teams, while in communication with landlords and other developers.

SPECIALITY TRADE CONTRACTORS

Speciality trade contractors perform specific activity at construction sites. These individuals are involved in building construction such as plumbing, painting, pouring concrete, electrical work and much more. People who work within this part of construction generally do the most work at the construction site.

Columbia University Resources

CCE sponsored internship programs
Career Fairs and Networking Events: Attend our career fairs and special events throughout the year including the Engineering Career Fair and Startup Career Fair.
Engineering Career Fair & Industry Showcase: Held throughout the year, offers networking opportunities with representatives from a variety of engineering disciplines.
List of Leadership Development and Rotational Programs
Vault (formerly Firsthand): We subscribe to Vault, which offers profiles of industries, companies, and careers.

Student Organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers at Columbia and Engineers without Borders
Civil Engineering Department Website
Student Research Involvement Program
Robert A.W. Carleton Strength of Materials Laboratory
Information on the FE Exam (Students should find out from their academic advisor whether their desired career path requires EIT/PE certification)
Fellowships for CC/SEAS and GS