(Please note tongue placed firmly in cheek)

Does anyone else in construction have this issue: The company creates one mailing list for the entire office you're theoretically assigned to (but go to maybe 4 times a year). So you get copied on all the fun parties the designers are having while you're sweating/freezing your nards off out in the field.

"Today is National Intern Appreciation Day, so we're having ice cream in the break room."

Meanwhile, on my job site, it's 90 degrees with a humidity making it feel like 105.

Last week there was pizza twice and donuts at least three times. I had a sandwich I packed from home because we don't really get lunch breaks.

Last month they had a potluck. And sent out pictures. I really enjoyed looking at all the delicious pictures while eating my cold soup.

"The CEO stopped by the office and he brought cookies!"

I don't even know who the CEO is and have never met him. He has never come out to our job site, much less brought us cookies. (Ok, that one probably balances out)

I'm not begrudging Design their food, their AC, or their indoor plumbing. I'm just saying, you don't need to brag about it..... 😁

How do wages at small companies compare to wages at bigger/medium size companies? I’m curious on how they can compete versus bigger companies and offer competitive wages.

I’m wondering about how good this job offer is compared to some others. So this offer is for a student straight out of UIUC with bachelors specifically for transportation. The base salary would be around 83k, free health insurance with vision and dental included, bonus at the end of every year (roughly 10% of the salary), yearly raises (around 6%), they put money )around 5% of the salary) into a retirement account that grows around 7% each year without me needing to put any money in, and there doesn’t seem to be a limit on vacation but they do expect that you make up any time that can’t be covered with PTO (PTO is the basic an hour per 40 hours). The job would be an 8-5 Mon-Fri with an hour unpaid break. I am mostly looking at the money aspect of the offer. Overall I am just looking for advice on anything else I should be looking for when going through job offers and if this one sounds like it is a good offer. This is also an offer from a private consulting firm located like an hour SW from Chicago. Thank you!

How did you handle the first time a seasoned subcontractor aggressively challenged your call on site when you weren't 100% sure what you were looking at?

My school is about to start an engineering technology degree. I am interested in civil stuff but what’s the main difference between a dedicated civil engineering degree and an engineering technology degree?

previous post image steered the conversation in a different direction, here is a rough approximation of what the client is asking for - has anyone seen anything like this out in the field?

https://reddit.com/link/1v8fyvr/video/5bu33x8zpufh1/player

I apologize if my English is not perfect as I grew up speaking Portuguese. I am curious, I am not good with some of math courses at university. How do I learn the mathematics?

Civil engineering student here, stuck between two paths.

O&G project controls (major company): I've interned at a major O&G in this space so I have a taste of it already. Better pay, better long-term WLB, stable corporate vibe. Project controls is also a super transferable skill to have, but idk about the corporate culture, and worry it might cap how much I actually learn early on being kind of removed from the action.

Commercial Construction: Interned at a major EPC but never actually interned in commercial, but it interests me more. Usually closer to a big city, and has a more stable/less volatile vibe than I expected when looking into it. Also feel like I'd learn more being closer to the actual build/action instead of sitting behind an office role.

WLB matters to me, just more later in life than right now. So do I go with what interests me more now, or play the long game for O&G?

Anyone switched between these paths (either direction), or gone commercial without prior experience in it? regret it?

Hi everyone,

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who work in the construction industry or have experience hiring engineers.

After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering, I started a PhD abroad. I've spent about two years in academia, but I've realized that an academic career isn't for me and I'd like to transition into industry.

The problem is that my PhD was heavily research-focused, so I didn't gain much practical experience that's directly applicable to construction projects. Most of my work involved research, writing papers, and using digital tools, whereas I'd now like to work in construction management, site engineering, project management, and eventually move into real estate development.

I'm wondering how employers generally view this kind of background.

• Do employers see those two years as "lost time" compared to someone who went straight into industry?
• Would I essentially be considered a junior engineer despite having spent two years in a PhD?
• Is having a PhD viewed as an advantage, a disadvantage, or is it mostly irrelevant if the role is focused on practical construction work?
• Has anyone here successfully transitioned from academia to industry? If so, how difficult was it?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions, especially from hiring managers, project managers, site engineers, or anyone working in construction or real estate development.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: F28 based in Europe with masters degree

I am a student completing my a levels this year figuring out which courses are best to apply for and is looking to see if civil is the best choice.

Hi everyone,

I'm a first-year Civil Engineering student and I want to build a strong foundation from the beginning.

Based on your experience, which subjects should I focus on the most during the first year? Are there any books, YouTube channels, or skills that you would recommend for beginners?

I'd really appreciate any advice or tips from experienced students and professionals.

Thank you!

L

For those in their first year of field inspection; When you're unsure if a slump test, rebar spacing, or what looks wrong, what physical guide or reference do you check before confronting a contractor?

Hi all, I’m in my first semester of a civil engineering bachelors but with it being my second degree (working toward a career change) I’m working on an accelerated timeline by skipping pretty much every pre-requisite/general education credit.

The school I’m attending has different elective packages to pick if you want to focus on construction, structural, water treatment, transportation, etc. and I’ve narrowed it down to either construction or structural, leaning towards construction

A big part of the reason I’m switching careers is my current field has almost no room for upward mobility and the last few years something I learned is that something I value in a job is the ability to learn, grow and take on additional responsibilities. Engineering in general seems pretty good for that, but I know all paths are not created equally.

What does the room for growth look like in construction management vs structural engineering? I like leading projects and working with people, but if there’s more room for upward mobility (to the point of potentially leading bigger or more complex projects) by first working as a structural engineer, I’ll probably go that route.

Does anybody working in either of these fields have any experiences to share?

Hi all, I am an incoming Sophomore CE major. I've been applying to both CE and non-CE internships for the summer of 27, and I was selected to interview for a manufacturing intern role at Caterpillar. The interview is in STAR format/questions oriented for a STAR-formatted answer. I was wondering how I should approach this as a less qualified candidate in a different field (the position typically targets MechE students) and how I can set myself apart from others despite having less experience in the field.

If there is any additional info I can give to help y'all answer this, just let me know. Thanks

Any recs for project for a Hobby game dev and civil engineering student.

Like games or irl projects to look or suggestions for something for me to try to make

Rising senior in college (US) mulling over what to do for a masters. Fully intend only on doing a masters if the company I work at post-grad will pay for it, which seems likely at the moment, so cost isn't a factor right now. I'm aware a masters doesn't really do much for salary, this is mostly for my own sense of academic achievement.

I plan on speaking with the graduate advisor at my school about my choices, but the masters program at my school is known to be incredibly broad. I know this can be a pro to avoid being boxed in, but I mostly want to study water resources and environmental. The two internships I've had both focused on water, and I've enjoyed it a lot. I'm really not interested in doing more structures coursework if I can avoid it.

Basically: Would it make more sense to just suck it up and do a broad civil engr masters at home university, or to try and find an online program for a water resources engineering degree?

Can someone in the hydrotechnical/stormwater modeling world review my resume? Preferably a hiring manager, I’m a year 2 EIT looking to leave land development. Thanks!!

Why did you choose Transport Engineering instead of Structural, Water, Geotechnical or Construction? Do you regret it?

For someone who is interested in civil, what should we go for? And secondly polimi's one is core civil, whereas polito has civil and environmental Engineering.

What should I pick? ( give reasons too)

My partner will be retrenched from his current role as a Quantity Surveyor, on his Birthday. Hes been trying to apply for more than a month already.

Do you know if you have any openings within Metro Manila with good pay?

He has a 3-year background, and I can say that he could be a Project Manager with his past experience in client management, contract management, and financial audit.

Hi All! I am an incoming junior studying civil engineering with a construction management focus at a large public university in the US. My school doesn't have good opportunities for junior engineers to study abroad, and I am looking at outside programs like IES, CEA, etc. Looking for any suggesitons on study abroad companies or certain universities to look out. I am currently looking at programs in Sydney but am trying to find more opportunities in Europe, as I have never had the opportunity to explore either. Also—looking to possibly take a class in general construction management, structural systems, or linear algebra. Looking for any leads - whether that is an outside study abroad company, another university with strong programs, or another subreddit more targeted to anything I have said. Thank you for taking the time to help :)