Gone are the days when you thought civil engineering offered just one kind of job; today, you can have many exciting career paths after civil engineering! From traditional roles in construction to opportunities in nuclear plants, civil engineering jobs in India are more varied than ever before. Apart from going for higher studies, here are the top 7 jobs you can take up right after a civil engineering bachelor’s degree:
- PSU Jobs for Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are always high in demand in public-sector undertakings, such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited). To apply for a PSU job, you need to take the competitive Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). If you score well, then you will be termed eligible in any of the PSUs. Apart from job security, you also get an attractive starting salary of Rs. 24,900 – Rs. 50,500 - Government Jobs for Civil Engineer
Ever since the 6th and 7th Pay Commission revisions have rolled in, civil engineering salaries in India, especially, the government sector pay better than ever. Through the GATE, you can apply for a civil engineering job at government bodies, such as Railways and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Starting salaries for assistant engineers range from Rs 20,00 to Rs 50,000, depending on your GATE score. - Nuclear Plant Engineer
It may surprise you, but government-run nuclear energy plants also hire civil engineers to design and maintain power station, reactors and more. Since the safe use of nuclear energy is such an emerging field, a career as a nuclear plant engineer with bodies such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is a great alternative career for civil engineers. GATE required. Salary range: Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000
Private Sector and MNC Jobs for Civil Engineer
- Structural engineer
If you love creating something solid, this job is for you. You can find work at real estate and construction agencies, such as DLF and GMR to design multi-storied car parks, buildings at airports, and office blocks, or at ship-building companies like Larson and Toubro to design oil rigs. Your job would be to ensure that the structural framework of the rig or building is strong enough to take the load for which it is meant. You typically start out as a site supervisor or site engineer. Salary range: Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 - Consulting or Design Engineer
Design engineers design a construction, such as a building or a road, keeping in mind the client’s brief, the environmental impact, as well as permits needed. Today design engineers use tools such as detailed drawings with the help of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and physical 3D models to display their plans to clients. Although a design engineer doesn’t necessarily stay on the construction site, they monitor the overall progress of the Project. Apart from construction firms, architectural companies and consultancy firms, such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) hire design engineers. Salary range: Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000. - Water Engineer
The best civil engineering career advice is that don’t just restrict yourselves to traditional job options. For example, with major cities running out of the water, the job of a water engineer is more important than ever. Water engineers can handle projects focusing on areas such as designing sewage water treatment plants, rainwater management systems, and reservoirs. Apart from government jobs, you will be pleasantly surprised to know many MNCs, like Siemens Technology, also recruit civil engineers. Salary range: Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000. - Geotechnical Engineer
Next time someone asks you about the civil engineering career path in India, tell them about upcoming options like geotechnics! The process of understanding and working with soil and rock, underground water, site and structural conditions, in relation to a construction project, is known as geotechnical engineering. Geotechnical engineers plan and design the structures for buildings, roads, embankments, canals, making sure the structures are safe enough to deal with geological hazards like landslides, soil erosion and, earthquakes. Multinational design consultancy services, such as Atkins, hire geotechnical engineers. Salary range: Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000.
How to get into a civil engineering course
PCM in Class XII with at least 70% aggregate (65% for reserved categories) for JEE, 50% and above for others
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Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Mains for regional engineering colleges; other regional and private engineering tests → Admissions in IIITs, regional engineering colleges, private universities
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JEE advanced for IITs → Admissions in IITs
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GATE for MTech and Jobs in PSUs and government departments
Where to study
Choose a civil engineering department that strengthens basic concepts in mechanics, hydraulics, geotechnics, materials science, and statistical analysis. IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani, Vellore University of Technology, SRM University, Amravati, Andhra Pradesh