e their degree to become educators; some become professors of engineering and others become science or mathematics teachers at local high schools. It is not uncommon for some civil engineers to go to a graduate school for a masters degree in business administration. Many hold management and administrative positions for major corporations. Others work in operations, maintenance, technical sales, marketing departments, and management that dont actually work on or with the structures. The have an understanding of the structure, how it is designed, and how it is constructed. But as Jeff Olsen, project manager of construction for Quest Engineers, says:Within Quest Engineers, civil engineers perform a variety of activities, such as field surveys, designing of water and sewer lines and wastewater treatment plants, marketing, administration, and rate analysis studies. Some people within the company may do only one of the above exclusively, while others may do two or more as part of their job. As a project manager I get to a little of everything, which keeps the job from getting boring.A person wondering how they can acquire such a degree must keep in mind that engineering in general is not a major for everyone. It requires a person that has a mind with the ability to think creatively and logically. This means finding a practical solution to a particular problem. The course loads and types of classes vary from college to college, but there are many classes that are universal for all engineering. These are rigorous classes such as calculus, chemistry, and physics. Since civil engineering deals with the design and construction of buildings and transportation systems, there are many more classes that deal with physics, such as structures and integrated design. Some other important classes include such topics as soil mechanics, which covers such topics as soil structure, soil compaction, bearing capacity, and slope stability. There are...
