Aside from private engineering firms that are responsible for contracted projects from start to finish, civil engineers work for utility companies, telecommunications businesses, consulting firms, and even toy and athletic equipment manufacturers.

A civil engineering career can begin as early as high school. To meet the challenges of this field, a solid high school preparation should include courses in: English, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, advanced mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Computer courses are also highly recommended.

In their first job, most civil engineers are teamed with a senior engineer. They are guided through a variety of assignments, depending on the civil engineering specialty area. Later, job responsibility increases with continuing education and experience. During this process many engineers seek professional licensure that requires a depth of knowledge and skills essential to success in the field.

The Civil engineering field is broad, with a variety of sub-specialties. Civil engineers work in almost all aspects of engineering, but the main specialties include: construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, public works engineering and water resources engineering.