2006-10-28 22:16:47 · 9 answers · asked by mays 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The ignorance of these answers is astonishing. I am a civil engineer and you take one aspect of it and generalize it for everyone in civil engineering.
1) over_druged answer of "anyone can be one". Wrong. You can enroll into civil engineering but even after you graduate with a bachelors, you still must pass the EIT or FE which is an 8-hour national exam. Then after two years of practical experience with an EIT, then you can take the PE exam which is another 8-hour national exam. Yeah...just anyone can do that.
2) Terry_A's answer is ignorance personified. What is a "real" engineer? Last I checked, Civil Engineers are the only ones who must take the PE in order to sign off on plans. I know people who are mechanical engineers, electrical engineerss and aerospace engineers and they don't even take the EIT unless it's for personal glory let alone get licensed. We are required to do so for public safety. Makes you think that those who design your airplanes are not required to have a level of competency measured yet those who build roads, buildings and bridges must. Yet "anyone can do it".
3) David_P's only worked for a project manager who probably had a civil engineer's license. What were you doing for that project manager? Were you the secretary? The work I do is draft plans using AutoCAD or similar software, do calculations, write reports, do field investigations and determine how the project should be built so that the contractor doesn't just do things that do not meet minimum safety inspections. David_P only saw one aspect of it and generalized it for everyone. The project managers are the scourge of our engineering firm who can't handle the tougher aspects of design so they only make up schedules and do the budget. They aren't even on the same level as our accountants. Don't take that portion of civil engineering and think that's all we do.
4) laji's answer is pure stupidity and shows that this person who couldn't cut it in civil engineering (if it was even attempted) or life for that matter so stupid statements of selling cement and steel on the black market as part of a civil engineer's life comes flying out of that peanut sized brain. Last I checked, we only tell what things should be made of not sell that material.
The only person who wrote intelligently about civil engineering is Stan the Rocker who points out exactly what they do NOT teach you in the classroom that you learn through the school of hard knocks when one gets into the civil engineering field and has to deal with said aspects. Try also having to deal with a gun pointed at you because you have to do a project that disrupts the way a person commute and then demands that he be let through because he doesn't want to go around the detour. Try dealing with cars that ignore closures and runs right at engineers and contractors who are only trying to make an honest living yet stupid people decide they will ignore the signs because of an inconvenience. Lastly, try dealing with stupid people who decide that offroading in a construction zone is fun. These are some of the things civil engineers have to deal with in order to make life easier for the rest of society that think this is easy.
Yes, I guess I just proved anyone can just do it.
2006-10-29 17:19:23 · answer #1 · answered by SwooshGuy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every profession is tough in its own way. if it was easy then everyone in this world would have been a civil engineer. its up to Ur skillls,abilities and experience which help u in any kind of job you do.there are more worst jobs in this world than being an engineer try facing a rifle in a middle of nowhere I'm sure that will make civil engineering look easy.
2006-10-30 11:29:55 · answer #2 · answered by ripinsandhu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked for good and bad civil engineers.In municipal government. the "civil engineer" is more a project manager than an actual engineer. Typically they subcontract the engineering, survey phase (they say this is for liability reasons-rolling eyes), and just concentrate on the budget part of the project. I would have to think there are much harder engineering professions our there.
2006-10-29 05:24:17 · answer #3 · answered by David P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A civil engineer has to negotiate with contractors and owners. They do not teach you about negotiations in engineering school.
A civil engineer has to manage an entire project. They do not teach you about project management in engineering school.
A civil engineer has to present his project to a bunch of politicians. They do not teach you how to speak the politician's language in engineering school.
A civil engineer has to present his project at a public meeting where there may be many unhappy people. They do not teach you how to diffuse a hostile situation in engineering school.
2006-10-29 21:57:54 · answer #4 · answered by Stan the Rocker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats what they tell you in civil engineering school to make you feel good about not being a "real" engineer.
2006-10-29 05:19:20 · answer #5 · answered by Terry A 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hey today is the world of exposure ,and civil engg brings the oppurtunity for u to do this,nothing is tough it is just your way and your fear to see it.just face it u will find it interesting one than anyother thing in this world
2006-10-29 05:27:45 · answer #6 · answered by nitin g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right.It is not easy to sell cement and steel in the black market.
2006-10-29 16:10:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
YES, It is tough to get a good job.....hahahahah
2006-10-29 05:34:35 · answer #8 · answered by baba 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it is not
any one can be one
2006-10-29 05:18:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋