TOP 10 REQUIREMENTS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CIVIL ENGINEER

 CIVIL ENGINEERS SHOULD KNOW THESE

1. TESTS OF BUILDING MATERIALS

A good civil engineer should have proper knowledge of different tests of building materials. Some important tests are listed below.

Concrete Test: Slump test, compression test, split tensile test, soundness etc.

Soil Test: Core cutter test, compaction test, sand replacement test, triaxial test, consolidation test etc.

Bitumen Test: Ductility test, softening point test, gravity test, penetration test etc.

2. INVESTIGATION OF SOIL

Various soil tests are conducted to determine the settlement and stability of soils before starting a construction. So as a civil engineer, you should have enough knowledge of these tests which are performed at the site.

3. USES OF SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

Usages of surveying instruments like the total station, theodolite etc is also a mandatory knowledge for every civil engineer. These instruments are used for marking and measurements.

4. STANDARD CODES USED IN CONSTRUCTION

Every country has their standard safety specifications (eg: Is Code) for construction related works. All new construction should be done by following all the rules and procedures mentioned in the standard codes. Otherwise, chances of failure of a structure will be always high.

5. BAR BENDING SCHEDULE

Bar bending schedule is an essential chart for civil engineers. It provides the reinforcement calculation of RC beam such as cutting length, type of bending, the length of bending etc.

6. DRAWING AND DESIGN

Drawing and design are the primary keys of an ongoing project. It provides all the required specifications of that project. Every site engineers should have the analysing power of such drawings and designs. Knowledge on Autocad and Construction Specifications will help you.

7. ESTIMATION AND BILLS

Estimation and bills should be prepared by a civil engineer in a construction project. Knowledge of methods of measurements, quantity surveying and billing methods are important.

8. QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control ensures the profit of a project by reducing the extra costs. So you must have a basic knowledge of quality control. Knowledge of Construction methodologies, using Checklists for all activities will help to achieve quality construction.

9. ON FIELD MANAGEMENT

Knowledge of form-work, concreting, safety measures etc is also a key aspect. Knowledge on Planning, Risk Management also will help. smooth functioning of the site works.

10. COORDINATION WITH LABOR

As a civil engineer, you must know how to deal with labours in a site. Local language, Information about local issues will help to deal with labours.

Every Engineer can not learn all the  above skills thoroughly. If you are specialist in particular department like Designing, Planning, QS or QC, they should have thorough knowledge in it. But every Engineer should have some basic knowledge in all the above.

TOP TECHNICAL SKILLS & SOFTWARES FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER

 Developing Technical Skills

Top Technology trends, tools and software that can increase your chances of getting hired

If technology and infrastructure go hand in hand then we will also see more inventions like Hyper-loop, Green Spaces, Eco Living, more land reclamation technologies etc. Also concepts like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, automation will change the overall dynamics of the industry as well as our perception about how we plan, design, execute and operate the infrastructure projects.

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Civil 3D, offered by Autodesk, is used by civil engineers and other professionals to create digital models of infrastructure projects. Civil 3D is well known in the civil engineering community and widely used on a variety of infrastructure projects both large and small. Civil 3D is an engineering software application used by civil engineers and other professionals to plan, design, and manage civil engineering projects.

Civil 3D was originally created to be an add-on for AutoCAD but as its popularity and demand grew, it was further evolved and developed into a stand-alone product — built on the AutoCAD / AutoCAD Map 3D platform. Civil 3D offers many beneficial tools and features that can enhance a project such as, Corridor Modeling, Earthwork Calculations, Grading, Pipes Networks, Production Drafting, Geospatial Analysis, Point Clouds, and much more.

STAAD PRO

You can perform comprehensive analysis and design for any size or type of structure faster than ever before using the new STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition offered by Bentley Systems. You can simplify your BIM workflow by using a physical model in STAAD.Pro that is automatically converted into the analytical model for your structural analysis. You can also share synchronized models with confidence for multi-discipline team collaboration and, most importantly, deliver safe, cost-effective designs.

You can design steel, concrete, timber, aluminum, and cold-formed steel structures anywhere in the world using over 90 included international design codes, regardless of which STAAD option you choose. The software automatically converts your physical model into an analytical model to streamline your workflow. You can also improve multi-discipline team collaboration through broad interoperability with Bentley desktop and cloud and mobile applications like AECOsim Building Designer, AutoPIPE, Revit, and Tekla

Revit

Autodesk Revit is a robust design and documentation software application created by Autodesk for architects and building professionals. The tools and features that make up Revit are specifically designed to support building information modeling. It is BIM software for architects, engineers, contractors and designers. It creates a unified model that contains real-life information. It has intelligent 3D-model-based design tools and the software supports a modelling workflow, where deliverables such as drawings and schedules come directly from a single, unified model. Changes are reflected in all views of the model and adjacent/connected elements automatically update to maintain established relationships.

NEBOSH

NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as an awarding body with charitable status. They offer a comprehensive range of globally-recognized qualifications designed to meet the health, safety and environmental management needs of all places of work. Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract around 50,000 candidates annually and are offered by over 600 course providers, with exams taken in over 120 countries around the world.

Their qualifications are recognized by the relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM), the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). NEBOSH examinations and assessments are set by its professionally qualified staff assisted by external examiners; most of whom are Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners or Chartered Environmentalists operating within industry, the public sector or in enforcement. NEBOSH is also an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified organization.

ETABS

The innovative and revolutionary new ETABS is the ultimate integrated software package for the structural analysis and design of buildings. Incorporating 40 years of continuous research and development, this latest ETABS offers unmatched 3D object based modeling and visualization tools, blazingly fast linear and nonlinear analytical power, sophisticated and comprehensive design capabilities for a wide-range of materials, and insightful graphic displays, reports, and schematic drawings that allow users to quickly and easily decipher and understand analysis and design results.

From the start of design conception through the production of schematic drawings, ETABS integrates every aspect of the engineering design process. Creation of models has never been easier - intuitive drawing commands allow for the rapid generation of floor and elevation framing. CAD drawings can be converted directly into ETABS models or used as templates onto which ETABS objects may be overlaid. The state-of-the-art SAPFire 64-bit solver allows extremely large and complex models to be rapidly analyzed, and supports nonlinear modeling techniques such as construction sequencing and time effects

BIM

BIM (building information modeling) is a smart 3D modeling process used to efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings or infrastructure. By keeping a shared resource of project data, BIM helps keep workers, managers, and stakeholders on the same page

Primavera

The Primavera project portfolio management system enables a construction professional to plan,

manage, control, and deliver projects of any size. Primavera gives each stakeholder a consolidated dashboard with exactly the tools needed for planning, managing, controlling, and delivering projects and programs. With a single, consistent interface, the delivered content and functionality are configurable for each user or group of users, whether at the project or program level. This not only minimizes training requirements and allows for quick, meaningful adoption but also enables organizations to standardize best practices to consistently deliver successful projects across all disciplines.

3ds max Autodesk 3ds Max, formerly 3D Studio and 3D Studio Max, is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. It is developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment.

Bentley - Software for Advancing Infrastructure

Around the world, engineers and architects, constructors and owner-operators are using Bentley’s software solutions to accelerate project delivery and improve asset performance for the infrastructure that sustains our economy and our environment.

Bentley Open Roads

Civil Design Software for Road Networks. OpenRoads enables the project delivery of road networks through construction-driven engineering and delivers all the information needed to support operational workflows.

Autodesk Infra Works

Autodesk InfraWorks is a planning and design platform that enables engineers to quickly and easily convey preliminary design intent in a real-world, contextual environment, increasing stakeholder buy-in and team decision-making.

MS Projects 

Microsoft Project is a project management software product, developed and sold by Microsoft. It is designed to assist a project manager in developing a schedule, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing the budget, and analyzing workloads.

SAP 2000

SAP2000 is a structural analysis and design software developed by CSI America. This is  mostly used for the design of beam and columns only.

ARCGIS for Surveying

ARCGIS is a 2D, 3D & 4D GIS Mapping Software for Surveying

3DS Max

3D modelling, rendering and animation software

MX Road

It is a string based modelling tool for design of all types of roads. It has 3D
modelling and design.

Sketchup 3D                                                         

It is a 3D design, drawing and modelling software

StormCAD

StormCAD is a design and analysis of Storm sewer systems software. It calculates catchment runoff inlet capacity and shutters and pipe network flow.

WaterCAD

It is a Water distribution modelling and analysis  software. It is used to optimise water distribution systems from fireflow and water quality analysis to energy, cost management and pump monitoring.

ERP Softwares

Lot of ERP softwares are available in market. ERP helps to manage the Projects and Company.

EASYPRO, STACK, PROEST - Estimation Softwares

 International Certifications

• PMP - Project management Professional

• MRICS, AACE - Quantity Surveying

• ACI - American Concrete Institute

• NEBOSH - Occupational Safety and Health

• LEED - Green Buildings 

• IstructE - Institution of Structural Engineers

  Many more Softwares and Certifications are available. Choose the right path and upgrade regularly. 

              Best of Luck!

AMAZING CAREERS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

 MOST IN-DEMAND JOBS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

BIM Modeller / Specialist / Manager
A building information modeling (BIM) modeller provides CAD Drafting and modelling and design support. They coordinate and manage Revit Models. Building information models are virtual files that help with decision-making during the building process. The building information modeling Specialist must be well-educated in not only the industry in which they works, but in architecture generally as well.

Building information modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. Building information models (BIMs) are files (often but not always in proprietary formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a building or other built asset. Current BIM software is used by individuals, businesses and government agencies who plan, design, construct, operate and maintain diverse physical infrastructures, such as water, refuse, electricity, gas, communication utilities, roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, etc.

Construction Manager
Construction managers are often the main catalyst of construction projects. They are responsible for construction sites 24 hours a day. Common duties of construction managers include planning, directing, and coordinating activity on construction sites, overseeing project design, hiring and supervising workers, choosing contractors, and monitoring supplies. They are also responsible for preparing budgets and estimates, reporting progress to clients, and to fulfill with legal requirements. Construction mangers do not typically do any of the actual construction. 

Contracts Manager
Construction contracts managers help to win building contracts. They also help to control costs and keep construction projects on track. Projects can include everything from commercial and residential developments to road and rail engineering works. If you’re good with numbers and IT and can pay close attention to detail, you could find a career as a construction contracts manager very rewarding. To do this job you will need experience in the construction industry, although you may be able to get in if you have a background in contracting and managing projects in other sectors. 

Design Engineer/ CAD Technician
Design engineers research and develop ideas for new products and the systems used to make them. They also work to improve the performance and efficiency of existing products. If you want a professional career in engineering, and are good at problem-solving and generating new ideas, this job could suit you well. In this job you will need to be able to use Computer-Aided Design software. You will need to be able to combine engineering and design principles. 

As a CAD or computer-aided design technician, you’ll use software to create design plans for buildings and infra structures. 

Environmental Engineer /Manager

Environmental Engineers work to solve the Environmental problems using environmental Engg., Geology, soil engineering, biology. They work to improve recycling, waste management, public health, and water and air pollution control. They have to study Environmental Engineering specialization apart fron Civil Engineering. Environmental jobs are booming significantly nowadays.

EHS officers, Hydrologists, Pollution control board jobs are some other jobs related to environmental engineering.

LEED certification gives the valuable and dignified career.

Estimation and Costing

Estimators work out how much it is going to cost to supply products and services to their clients. If you have a good head for facts and figures, like being part of a team and want a varied job, this might be a career to suit you. To do this job well, you’ll need excellent math and IT skills, the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and an organized approach. You can become a junior estimator and work your way up if you have a good general standard of education. Another option is to take a college or university course which covers some of the skills needed to do the job, then apply for work afterward.

Geotechnical Engineers

Geotechnical Engineering is a specilization in Civil Engineering which deals with earth materials using principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics.

Geotechnical engineers are professionals that ensure the long-term stability of various structures and earthworks. Tasked with designing foundations, slopes and retaining walls, Geotechnical professionals rely heavily on self-conducted site investigations, rather than code-based design.

Health and Safety Professional
As a health and safety adviser or officer, you would use your knowledge and skills to reduce injuries, accidents and health problems in the workplace. If you have an eye for detail and love problem solving, this could be the ideal job for you. You will need to be able to apply your communication skills when writing reports or dealing with employers. You’ll also be expected to have a good knowledge of health and safety legislation. Most health and safety advisers get into this role by either completing a qualification and then looking for work or studying whilst working. It is becoming more common for advisers to enter this profession with a degree level qualification. 

Planning Engineer

Prepare and update project schedule based on the contract. Set work program and target milestones for each phase based on the project plan. Monitor critical activities based on the project schedule and advise project management. Prepares and submit updated work program and cash flow curve showing actual progress and identify areas of weakness and establishes means and methods for recovery, if any, as well as new critical activities. 

Monitor day to day work progress and prepare the weekly and monthly program and report. Maintain and record update of site work progress obtained from Project Manager. Prepares monthly report reflecting work progress summary. Report to the Project Manager about the current work progress and make the comparison between the plan and actual progress and study impact of alternative approaches to work. Participate in project meetings and discussions with the Client as required. Assists in preparing work program, cash flow and manpower histogram for tenders. Performs other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time. 

Project Coordinator
The project coordinator is a key member of the project team and works directly with the project manager to help define the project's goals and objectives; create and maintain a project's budget and schedule, analyse progress reported against the work schedules; and recommend actions to improve progress.

Prime duty of Project coordination is data gathering, management and analytical processes used to predict, understand and constructively influence the time and cost outcomes of a project or program; through the communication of information in formats that assist effective management and decision making.

Project Engineer
Project Engineering bridges the boundaries between engineering and project management, leading the technical workers who contribute to the building of structures or products. In some cases, the project engineer is the same as a project manager but in most cases, these two professionals have joint responsibility for leading a project. Project management holds the responsibility of every field of engineers

Project Manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers have the responsibility of the planning, procurement and execution of a project, in any domain of engineering. Project managers are the first point of contact for any issues or discrepancies arising from within the heads of various departments in an organization before the problem escalate to higher authorities. Project management is the responsibility of a project manager. This individual seldom participates directly in the activities that produce the end result, but rather strives to maintain the progress, mutual interaction and tasks of various parties in such a way that reduces the risk of overall failure, maximizes benefits and minimizes costs.

Site Engineer
A site engineer will manage part of a construction project; they also help with technical advice and supervise other members of staff. The work can be varied as projects can range from working on a large-scale housing estate to building a new shopping complex. Site engineers should understand the different needs projects have. 

Surveyor

Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. They provide data relevant to the shape and contour of the Earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, and construction projects.

Surveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them. A land surveying professional is called a land surveyor. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership, locations like building corners or the surface location of subsurface features, or other purposes required by government or civil law, such as property sales. Surveyors work with Building marking, Columns marking, checking levels in buildings under construction and assist in taking measurements also.

They use equipment like Total stations, Robotic total stations, GPS receivers, retro-reflectors, 3D scanners, radios, handheld tablets, digital levels, drones, GIS and surveying software. The planning and execution of most forms of construction require it. It is also used in transport, communications, also.

Structural Engineer

Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants. Their work takes account mainly of safety, technical, economic and environmental concerns, but they may also consider aesthetic and social factors. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty discipline within civil engineering,

Town Planners

Town Planning is everything to do with the construction of our built environment, within both the public and private sector. Before anything is built, it will likely need to go through the planning process and there are many aspects that will influence whether or not something can be built; including social, economic, environmental and aesthetic factors.

Town Planners work on the behalf of a developer or landowner to advise and assess your development idea and plan. Planners are professionals in developing strategies and reports from their assessments on your proposed development to ensure the best outcome is made to get approval from local council. 

For more details, visit Institute of Town Planners - http://www.itpi.org.in/

Quality Engineers / Managers

Project Management Professionals

Here are some suggestions on how to find a path that works well for you:

 Develop a long-term vision.

 Have a short-term plan.

 Review your career plan annually.

 Enhance your ability to communicate.

 Listen to what others have done.

 Find a mentor.

 Improve your skills through continuing education.

 Don’t be afraid to change.

 Be willing to take a risk.

 Challenge yourself.

 Have fun.

(Ref.: Constructionplacements.com)

 

Various Job Profiles for Civil Engineers in Construction and other Industries

 Construction Job Titles in the Construction Industry    

 (Article from Constructionplacements.com)

There are around hundreds of Job profiles in the entire construction industry. We have compiled construction job titles & descriptions used in the construction industry. Following are the important job profiles in the construction industry.

 Asset Management

 Billing Engineer | Billing and Documentation

 BIM (Building Information modeling) Related Job Profiles | BIM Coordinator

 Budgeting, Costing & MIS

 Building Inspector

 Business Development

 CAD Technician

 Civil Engineer

 Commercial Manager

 Construction Assistant

 Construction Coordinator

 Construction Engineer

 Construction Finance Manager

 Construction Manager

 Construction Superintendent

 Construction Supervisor

 Contract Administrator

 Contracts Manager / Contracts Engineer

 Design Consultant

 Design Coordination

 Engineering Design

 Estimation

 Executive Assistant

 Field Engineer

 Finishing Specialist

 Geo technologist

 Highway Engineer

 Heavy Equipment Operator

 HSEM – Health Safety and Environment Management

 HVAC Engineer/Technician

 Infra Project Management

 Interior Designer

 LEED Auditor

 MEP Engineer

 Operation and Strategy

 Piping Engineer

 Planner

 Planning Engineer

 Procurement Engineer

 Project Appraisal Engineer

 Project Assistant

 Project Control

 Project Engineer /Project Manager

 Project evaluation

 Project Execution

 Project Financing

 Project Manager

 Project Monitoring

 Property Manager

 Purchase Engineer

 Purchasing

 Purchasing Coordinator

 QA/QC Engineer

 Quality Assurance

 Quality Control

 Quantity Surveyor

 Risk Advisory

 Safety Director

 Safety Manager

 Scaffolding

 Scheduler

 Site Engineer / Site Manager

 Site Manager

 Site Supervisor

 Structural Engineer

 Superintendent

 Supply chain / Purchase / Inventory

 Surveyor

 Tendering

 Urban Planning / Transport Planning / Transportation Engineer

 Valuation Consultant

Industry sectors in which construction professionals can make their Career

 Construction

 Infrastructure

 Real Estate

 Oil and Gas

 Logistics

 Interior Fit-Outs

 Interior Designs

 Transportation (Railway, metro rail, aviation, road and highways)

 FMCG (Retail)

 Energy and Power (Renewable Energy):

 Steel Industry

 Construction Chemical

 Metals and Mining

 Shipping Corporations

 Manufacturing

 BFSI

 Consulting (Risk and advisory)

 Process Industries (Chemical, affluent)

 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

(Article from Constructionplacements.com)

THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO BECOME A GREAT CIVIL ENGINEER

 METHODS TO SHAPE YOUR CAREER TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS!

Greatness - Always sounds good, isn't it? How to Achieve?

I just want to divide into two - 1. Technical Greatness 

                                                        2. Social Greatness

Methods to become Technically Great in Civil Engineering

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Collect Civil Engineering Books, Data, IS Codes and Specifications, Articles from Journals, Civil Engineering Blogs, Slideshare, etc. This will help you in your entire career to sharpen and update your technical skills. Majority Civil Engineers fail to do this and become outdated.. If you have great skill, anytime in life, you can rise in career. 

• Surveying : Every Civil Engineer should know the usage of Surveying Instruments like, Total Station, Theodolite, Dumpy levels, etc.which are used for marking and measurements.

• Soil Investigation : Various soil tests are conducted to determine the settlement and stability of soils before starting a construction. So as a Civil Engineer, you should have enough knowledge to these tests which are performed at the site.

• Design and Drawing : Analysing the design and drawing, understanding and correcting the errors, creating new are mandatory for the Civil Engineers to handle the projects.

• Planning : "If you fail to Plan, it is a Plan to fail" Nothing will succeed without Planning. Understanding the activities and planning for that is very much essential.

• Quality tests of materials : Knowledge of testing of building materials, soil tests, Concrete tests.

• Quantity Surveying : Estimation, Cost analysis, Schedule of Rates, measurements and billing are basic requirements for any Civil Engineer.

• Bar bending Schedule : Knowledge of creating and understanding Barbending Schedule, Reinforcement details.

• Quality Control : Understanding and implementing of methodology of works, quality checklists, correction measures.

• Concrete and Form-works : A thorough technical knowledge in Concrete and Form-works

• Safety systems

• Civil Engineering Softwares : Autocad, Revit, MS Projects, MS Office, ERP etc.

These are the technical skills to be acquired by the Civil Engineers within first 5 years of their career.

If you prefer specialised subjects like Structural Engineering, Environmental Engg., Oil and Gas, Infrastructures like Roads and Bridges, Railways, Irrigation, etc. you should focus on the relevant subjects and acquire broad knowledge in that field.

Project Management : To transform from Site Engineer to Project Manager, Knowledge of Project Management is necessary. It involves Planning, Cost management, Quality management, Safety management, Contract management, Risk management, MIS reports etc. To climb in the career ladder, PMC is mandatory.

TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL GREATNESS

1. Create your Vision: Greatness doesn't happen by chance. You have to set Goals - Short term and Long term, focus on those, work with commitment, review your progress and achieve.

2. Cultivate a Champion's Mindset: An unshakeable belief in yourself and your potential may sound like a Tall order, but it is possible to create. In fact, it's essential if you want to graduate from average to Great. Reconnect with your strengths, your passion and your ambition and cement those into your mindset.

Stop and take stock of everything you learned in life. Commit yourself to continuous professional Development.

 Have you ever felt greatness? 

3. Learn from Mistakes: Do you think, mistakes make you fail? Mistakes are part of the process, particularly if you work with cutting edge technologies, processes or systems. Do not play into a victim mindset and give your power away like average people. You should use these situations as an opportunity to learn, develop and improve. Turn adversity into advantage as great people.

4. Embrace Change: You should embrace the rapid developments and never get struck in an attitude of  "that's the way, we have always done it". Instead, always be flexible, so you are ready to change.

5. Get the Right work-life balance: Some people are having wrong perception that working maximum hours will yield success. Particularly, when a project deadline is fast approaching. You should plan before starting work, priorities and avoid tensions in the final hours. 

Understand life is big apart from work. Find the correct work-life balance. When we think of Greatness, we often think about outward behaviours - making to do lists, achieving Goals. But taking care of our body is also important. Do you eat great food? Have a great diet? Be conscious of your body and health everyday.

6. Practice Positive habits: We are all experts at forming and keeping habits - some of them are good and a lot of them are bad. A huge part of our Greatness is using our ability to form habits to our advantage. The more good habits you can create, the less energy you have to spend on deciding what to do for every part of your day. Be Optimistic.

7. Build a Winning Team: Playing solo (aka Perfectionism) might have gotten you this far, but it is not going to get you to your full potential. The best and biggest accomplishments are never achieved by a single person. Invest in the right kinds of relationships that compliment your weaknesses and allow you to focus on your strengths.

• People who achieve true Greatness never feel 'done'. Cultivating a life of Greatness means constantly pushing, learning and growing. 
• Awaken your Greatness ... Now you are on your way to Greatness.

Which career is best in Construction Industry- Entrepreneur or Employee?

 Be a Boss or Work under a Boss

Like other Industries, Construction Industry also has the same differences. Let us analyse the differences and opportunities between job and business.

Employee

As an Employee, Your role will grow like this based on your performance.

Trainee - Project Engineer - Senior Project Engineer - Project Manager _ Senior Project Manager -

                 - Asst. General Manager - DGM - GM  - SGM - Vice President - President

                                 - Director - CEO

This ladder of growth is possible for only those who are ambitious, improving skills, upgrading Industry knowledge frequently and hard working. They focus on the improvement in the career, choosing companies which have potential and work in that way. Workplace politics is also inevitable. You have to work within the limits permitted and the resources allotted to you. You have to work with the available  team only, and only you have to groom your juniors for growth of company.

Guaranteed income is the major benefit for employees. If you are talented, you have to plan and work overtime in the company or part time in other, to increase your income. Otherwise, Same income only possible with some increase every year. You have to live within budget and some mechanical life.

Government jobs for Civil Engineers are very professional and more dignified than other sectors. If your ambition is Government job, you have to plan and prepare from college itself.

( We will analyse Teaching Profession in another Blog)

Entrepreneur

On the other side, Business world is bigger. The construction industry is an evergreen industry. It is

growing fast in India and the business opportunities are growing fast also. In the current scenario, starting a business is easier than searching a Job. But without gathering and understanding the business knowledge, you can't expect success. 

Management skill is mandatory.

Now majority Construction Industry entrepreneurs are nontechnical and they are doing successfully because of their management skills.. If  technical people with management skills start, they can do better than them.

The business growth is infinite compared to the job career. Particularly in Real estate industry, now Engineering Entrepreneurs are doing well. 

ENTREPRENEUR

EMPLOYEE

PROS More skills; More Income Do what you like - Freedom, you can go for innovation You will have your own rules Successful business yields huge income You have your own identity Flexible working Hours Brings sense of fulfillment Generate Employment opportunity for others- Contributing to Society You will have never wait for Holidays CONS Variable Income; Financial instability  Needs investments, loans for growth No guaranteed success  At busy times, you have to spend more time, face more stress Needs strong self-confidence and self-motivation   In Failures, you may lose Money, time spent           More Risk: More Effort : More Income ·

PROS Fixed Income: Assured Salary Job in Boss's hand but secured No Financial Risk Fewer  headaches or issues Limited skills enough based on your role Fixed working hours; More freetime to spend with family Less working hours No Failures; If your job is not satisfactory, you can change to another Lesser Responsibility            CONS Slow Growth; Sometimes no growth in career Stick to the Company rules: Obey seniors orders Wait for Holidays and weekends to celebrate  Retirement is there  Work within the limits; given resources; given subordinates                  Less Risk: Less Effort : Less Income

Tips to the Civil Engg. Students for a Successful Career

 Take Civil Engineering as a Passion

Welcome to the Civil Engineers world. I know, you have a lot of dreams to achieve in this arena. 

You are the future Great Civil Engineer. How to attain that? Let's see.

 First understand about Civil Engineering.

Why is it called as Civil Engineering? - Civil Engineering is the 'Mother of Engineering'. Earlier days, when science and Industries evolved, they start Engineering as two sectors. 1. Military Engineering for the Army Purpose and 2. Civil Engineering for Civil Purposes. The other branches such as Mechanical, Electrical are originated from Military Engineering and later become independent. But Civil Engineering is continuing as same.

What is Civil Engineering? - Civil Engineering is a professional discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of our man-made and naturally built environment. That includes Roads, Bridges, dams, water supply, sewerage systems, tunnels, harbors, canals, Airports, Railways, Factories, Power plants, Residential, Commercial, office and public buildings.

Civil Engineering is such a Ocean but what we have studied is like just handful of water in it. Major knowledge required to study Civil Engineering is Maths and Science. 

Why there is so much unemployment in Civil Engineering?

Now 6 Lakhs students are entering in Civil Engineering (UG) in 3200 colleges in India. In that only 1.25 Lakhs students are getting graduation at the course end. In that 1.25 Lakhs also, 93% lack the skills to get employed. That means only 8700 Engineers are fit for employment as per Industry standards (apart from IITs). This is the main reason for the unemployment. There is a mismatch between our studies and skills required for employment. 

Now as per the Growth of Construction Industry and Infrastructural development in India around 40 Lakhs Civil Engineers are required before 2030. Every 10-15 years, this trend is like seesaw effect. Unemployment prevails sometime and demand sometime. When demand increases colleges increase the seats and outcome increases. Then unemployment increases and colleges reducing the seats in Civil Engineering. Still small and medium level constructions are functioning as an unorganised sector. But now it is far better than the situation in 20 years back.

Now let us see the Tips for opportunities 

1.For bright students, opportunities are enormous. While studying UG, start preparing for competitive Exams like, GATE, IES, UPSC, ISRO, BARC, SSC, RRB, PSC and search for all Central and  State Government, PSUs Exams. If you can get through these Exams, your career will be on top.

2.If you have just passed, it is better to join any medium level or small level contractors,

Consultancy,companies as early as possible. Afterwards, your experience only matter for your growth.

Initial stage you have to work in a company with handful projects for atleast 3 years. Do not jump frequently for salary hike. That will hurt your career. If you can find an active company, then stay there for min. 3 years. Now Companies are asking that you should have completed minimum 2 projects full life cycle ( After 10 years experience) for Project Managers.

3. If you have not completed the Degree in 4 years, follow the same point-2. But completing course is very important for growth in career. Try to pass within a year after completion of the Course.

4 Now let's see how to practice independently. Now maximum Degree or Diploma Engineers choose this. But to practice privately, you need 3-5 years experience and acquire skills first. In jobs, even with less skills you can learn gradually and makeup it. But to start independently you should have good skills. If you want to start Consultancy you should know drafting, designing, Estimation, Government rules and regulations. If you want to start a small level contract company, you should know Estimation and costing, procurement knowledge, Labour management, tenders,full project cycle and Government Rules. Maximum people without this knowledge, taking contracts and struggling very much.

If you do not have these knowledge, you have to compete with Non-Technical contractors (Mistri) only.

5. Whether Job or Practice, Take Civil Engineering as Passion. Love your profession. Try to learn continuously and consistently to have a systematic growth. Do not work for quick money or instant benefits. Then in entire career, you have to run like that. Slow steady, not only wins the race, it will give you a peaceful mind and Life.

6. Now world is moving towards Digital. Civil Engineering is modernising very fast. Without computer knowledge, you can't grow in career. Acquire some basic civil software training, thorough knowledge in MS office, Autocad. Another important requirement is - Language. In India, if you want to Grow as a good Civil Engineer, You should know English (Speak, Read, write) and Hindi (Speak) well. Before completing your PG, Learn these. Cut the times in social media and use to learn these.

7.Do not compare yourself with your friends: your career with theirs. It's meaningless. You set your Goal, You learn for that, work for that. Try to understand, Everybody's ambitions, approach, character, circumstances- all are different. You concentrate yours. But you can learn skills from others.

These are the important points to remember to set your career. In the next Blogs, I'll tell you, where to and how to find jobs, how to learn skills. All the Best!