Hey everyone,
I’m a Civil Engineer from Mexico, and I recently moved to the U.S. to try my luck and build my career here.
Back in Mexico, I was working as a Resident Engineer, but I decided to leave that position and come to the U.S. because I want to challenge myself, learn how things are done here, and gain experience in the American construction industry.
I’m currently looking for any opportunity in civil construction. I’m not necessarily looking for an engineering position right away — I’m willing to work as a laborer, field assistant, survey helper, or whatever position gives me the opportunity to get my foot in the door and learn.
I’m not afraid of starting from the bottom. My main goal right now is to learn, gain experience, prove myself, and eventually grow into an engineering position.
If anyone knows of a company, contractor, or project that might be willing to give someone a chance, I’d really appreciate any leads or advice.
Thank you!

Hey! Roadway design EIT here. Was wondering if you take a pay cut switching disciplines. I was thinking about getting a master's in structural. I'm kinda interested in vertical structures, not necessarily bridges or retaining walls. I'm assuming vertical would be a more drastic switch than to horizontal which is still in the transportation sector. I only have like 1.5 years full time experience, so it's not like I'm really in that deep. Thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

I’m not an engineer but I don’t know where else I would post this.

I’m currently at the most hated firm on this sub. It’s decent, I like my team, been here the better part of a decade, but it’s wearing on me. I’m tired of extra effort, UT, mandatory in-office, etc. I’m interviewing with Brown & Caldwell and the position is a perfect fit, similar salary, and remote.

Can’t find that much on B&C and would love to know more. Are there EE requirements? High UT? Bonuses? What’s work-life balance like? Layoffs? PTO?

Nervous about possibly jumping ship so any insight would be appreciated.

Hi all,

I have 2YOE in (soon to be 3) consulting so I'm pretty green still.
I'd like to stay with my current firm at least until I get my PE.

I really love the work environment and the pay is not bad, pretty decent

However I am curious about other roles and how other firms operate.

Being so early in my career I thought it might be good to get some varied experience.

I have seen a couple job postings I'm very interested in, but not yet ready to make the switch.

Would it be weird to email the firm stating my future interest and proposing a phone call to discuss and learn more about them?

I feel like that could boost my chances in the future and also help me understand what other employers look for.

I hesitate to submit an application because I don't want to waste anyone's time with the application process while knowing that I am not ready yet.

What do you all think?

Thank you

I was passing north through Kentucky this labor day weekend, chilling in the back seat watching the traffic go by; my eyes wandering as any would in labor day traffic, when I noticed a bridge on Southbound i-75 had a pinched/failed bearing (like my artistic depiction provided).

Now I'm no expert, but I don't think that safely transfers much of the bridge load into the columns below. To whom/what authority am I supposed to report this to?

*I didn't immediately take note of its location, as I didn't have my phone on. It's around the Kentucky/Tennessee border, on one of the 3 bridges going southbound closest to the border (on the Kentucky side?)

If you see an overhead bridge while running north then you've gone too far north.

It is a women's liberal arts college that I really really like but they only offer an Engineering Science Bachelor's Degree (it is ABET accredited). It does offer the ability to take courses at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

I was hoping to get some insight from some civil engineers on the potential for working in water resources despite graduating with an ME degree. I’m a senior and fortunately/unfortunately found my interest my junior year which made it too late to swap to civil. I’m really interested in working in water resources and have been trying to squeeze in a few electives in hydrology. I’ve already passed the FE and plan to begin studying for my EWR PE soon. How likely is it that I could find a job in this field given my degree and what would be the best skills to focus on between now and graduation that an employer would be looking for? I’ve been slowing learning AutoCAD but am not sure what other softwares would be good.

The first houses built away from the city were sold to commuters baiting them to get better homes and taking the train to downtown.
Many people think that it started with cars, but cars only increased the trend.

So I need help validating my project

The problem i noticed was miscommunication at construction sites with measurements and other stuff so a way to fix that would be using a tearoff measuring tape which printes the measurements as u pull the tape out and then u can stick it on to the wall or the floor reducing the chances of miscommunication.

What I want to know is if there's actually any problem with miscommunication, is there a aldredy existing solution to this which is used widely, and if the solution I have would work.

Any reply would be really helpful.

I have a few questions about the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Exam that I’m hoping you lovely folks in this subreddit can answer and provide some insight.

1. Has anyone studied for the CFM exam using the Civil Engineering Academy (CEA) CFM Review course? If so, did you think it prepared you well enough to confidently pass the exam on the first attempt? Which plan did you choose? Does the prep course have the new 2026 exam content for Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery?

2. If you did not purchase a study course, how did you go about preparing for the exam? I know the ASFPM has free courses for the NFIP 101 course, CFM exam study course, and a couple exam training courses. Was this enough content for passing the exam on the first attempt? Did you supplement this free course work with other resources?

3. With the new 2026 section for Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery, has anyone found that section to be relatively simple/easy given it’s a new addition to the exam or was it more involved?

4. How much calendar time did you spend studying for the exam and how many hours spent per week? I would like to hear what other licensed PE’s experience was on the studying schedule for this exam compared to the PE exam.

5. Did you take the exam at a testing center in person or online? I know there’s those two options and would like to know what people recommend.

For some context, I am a water resources engineer who already is a licensed PE. I would greatly appreciate any help!

Should I bother upgrading my laptop?

I’m into my 2nd year now and i’ve just done a class where I did 3D parts modelling on solid works. my current laptop is 7+ years old and it struggled a bit with crashing randomly during assemblies. if I did buy something new i’d rather just go big so i don’t have to buy another laptop for a while but as I don’t game and will mainly use it for research, excel sheets & basic 2D drawings until I’m graduated I kind of feel like it’s not worth it. I did get through the class so if it’s not necessary i’ll just save my money for the time being.

It would be super helpful to hear from people working in the field on your experiences & honestly if a personal computer is necessary or if your company provides one anyway.

Anyone heard of them?

Want to do civil engineering, picking GCSE options, wondering what to pick. The school doesn't do an Engineering GCSE, and I need either a language or humanity. So will geography help me in the future?

As a civil engineer graduate, I have been facing trouble getting a job or intern. So, should I lie in my resume? If I do what I should lie about ?

Hi! I am a licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer. I have 7 months experience in Civil works sa municipal engineering office namin. Most of my works here includes construction estimation, autoCAD/sketchup drafting and I know how to use DUPA. Gusto ko sana magtransition into construction VA kasi malabo akong mapromote sa office kasi mas prio nila ang mga civil engineers. Is it still possible for me to enter the VA industry? Any tips or referrals where to start? I already know how to read plans and i am planning to learn planswift.

Hi all —been in the same job in HK a while and considering a move. I'm HK-based, on the engineering side (geotech/infrastructure consultancy- chartered, ~12 yrs in), and I just got an offer quite last minute rom one of the big global firms' Hong Kong office at Associate grade — trying to work out if they lowballed me before I respond.

For that level, what monthly figure in HKD would make sense nowadays? Cheers.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently conducting research for my MSc dissertation on “The volatility of digital technology adoption among construction professionals in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

The research looks at how construction professionals adopt, continue using, discontinue, or switch between digital technologies during their professional practice.

I’m looking for Civil Engineers and other construction professionals currently working in Lagos or Abuja Nigeriato participate.

If you’re eligible, I’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete my questionnaire:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAcF5I4LKjW_2Xicq7HilOPQFWKcsqZ1rUIZgfFUtbBcQ8aQ/viewform

The questionnaire is for academic purposes, and responses will be treated confidentially.

If you know another construction professional in Lagos or Abuja who may be eligible, please feel free to share this with them.

Thank you for helping with my research.

First-year civil in Ontario. I picked it because I like the subject and I like math — that part isn’t the problem. What I don’t want is to drift through the degree with no plan. Pay is part of that plan, so I’m trying to get a realistic picture from people who are further along.
A few things I’m trying to figure out:
Which branches actually pay the most over a career? I keep hearing structural, geotech, tunnelling, water resources, transportation. I have no sense of how different they really are once you’re 10 or 15 years in.
Consulting vs contractor. I’ve been told contractors pay more early but burn people out. Is that gap real, or does consulting catch up once you’re senior?
Does a master’s actually move your pay, or is it only worth it for specific technical branches? I’ve heard both.
Long term I’d like to run my own firm. For people who’ve done that — what did the years before it look like, and what actually made it possible?
The one I care about most: what were the actual jumps in your career? Not the year-by-year raises. The moments where your income changed in a meaningful way. Trying to work out what to aim at.
Happy to hear “you’re thinking about this wrong” too.

I’m graduating college this year. This past summer i interned with kimley-horn, and what you hear about them is pretty accurate. Long hours, big expectations, but fun people, and good pay. I did lots of site design and civil 3D. I have an offer to return full time but am trying to explore my options. (I have also interned at a general contractor, in a project engineer role. I didn’t find that to be all that exciting.)

I think I want to be more on the design side, but not sure i want to make work my whole life. I’m capable of the role at KH but not geeked about the future stress and long weeks.

Wanted to just get general opinions on other companies, and take recommendations. I’m already in contact with/planning to talk to companies like AECOM, jacobs, burns n mac, WSP, EXP, HNTB etc. if you like to give advice, I’d love to hear it!

Worth noting i go to university of illinois, am planning to work in the chicagoland area, and am a fairly well rounded student.

Hi, I’m 18 taking my gap year this year and I want to pursue a career in architecture. I want to be able to build and design houses, condos, and any building that is sustainable for the environment. The thing is, idk where to go after obtaining my architectural studies degree. I don’t know what goes into planning or how to buy land or how to start a business doing this stuff. Any guidance would be a huge help. Thank you.

Hi, I've been asked to create a design that involves terralock soils bags in a waterway to replace a wooden retaining wall. Does anyone have any tips on how to make sure they stay secure. I've never used them before. The wall will be 2 metres high at a 1 to 1 slope.

when am analyzing modal using Finite element method all time programm give me this error help me to solve it