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Civil Engineer/Land Development

Job Title and Job Description

Civil Engineer/Land Development

I do site design and permitting for private real estate development projects. In other words, if someone wants to build a building, I help figure out how the land should be graded, how vehicles and people should access the site, and how utility service connections (water, sewer, electric, etc.) can be made to supply the new building. I also help owners get proper permits to build the new buildings. This is the most fun but sometimes challenging part. Lots of different people/agencies involved, all with different ideas and goals.

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

lots of people involved with what I do: land surveyors attorneys (for permitting, environmental issues, leasing, etc.) bankers (to finance projects) landscape architects architects other building engineers: mechanical, structural, plumbing, electrical geotechnical (for special designs in consideration of specific soil conditions graphic designers (for presentation materials and report graphics) traffic planners and engineers (for estimating increased traffic demands and designing related roadway improvements) contractors

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

I have a BS in Civil Engineering

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

A BS is the minimum for entry level positions in my field

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

No, I was good in math and science but did not know what I wanted to do. I started college majoring in math and switched over when I learned more about civil engineering.

Skills Profile

Skills UsedRating (5=Most Important thru
1=Not Important)		Comments
Artistic 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Athletic / Physical 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Bilingual 1-Not Important  
Computer Technology 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Creative Thinking 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Interpersonal 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Investigative / Fact Finding 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
leadership and Supervising 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Logical Thinking 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Math 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Mechanical Understanding 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Sales and Negotiation 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Scientific and Experimental 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Social Service / Helping Skills 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Teaching / Instructing 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Verbal Communication 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Understanding Yourself 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Writing 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
 

Interview By: Karen_Civil Engineer