Civil Engineering Fields of Specialisation You Can Pursue

Think of all the buildings and skyscrapers that dot Malaysia’s cities. These are products of the mind, talent, and perseverance of civil engineers. Civil engineers are key to solving modern-day problems with practical solutions, whether that involves constructing essential facilities or upgrading tourist infrastructures.

Civil engineering can actually be considered an umbrella term. In fact, the profession covers a broad set of civil engineering fields of specialisation and disciplines. When plotting a career path as a civil engineer, you will likely thrive when you pursue any of these specialisations.

In Malaysia, civil engineering has been recognised as having the highest number of registered graduate engineers. Civil engineers are in demand and well-respected. The nation recognises them as vital in the development of the country and its economy. But to further progress in your career, you must focus on a discipline that aligns with your skills and capabilities.

Civil engineers are highly involved throughout the entire process of creating and building. To strengthen your career, you would need to decide on when and where you would like to enter the picture. The life of a civil engineer is filled with challenges. And, you will come to a point where you may find yourself being stretched too thin. Choosing among the civil engineering fields of specialisation will help you get out of this rut. It will let you aim for targets better.

Choosing a civil engineering specialisation is not only a practical decision; but, it is also a strategic one. It does not only help you but also the team as a whole. Do you have a preference for choosing the right materials for a project? Or do you show competence in managing transportation concerns? Or would you rather plan out water resources? These are some questions you can ask yourself when considering which specialisation to pursue.

Here are the top civil engineering fields of specialisation, as well as their specific tasks, that you can pursue to upgrade your career:

Different civil engineering fields of specialisation

Construction Engineering

Construction engineers have the main task of turning whatever was settled on paper into reality. Every detail on the blueprint should become tangible, and this responsibility falls on the construction engineer.

Also called contractual engineers, construction engineers take charge of implementing timelines, managing budgets, and inspecting standards. If you pursue this specialisation, you will work onsite most of the time. And, you will need to oversee the project from start to finish.

Managing worker welfare is part of the job, too. This may involve dealing with fellow professionals, such as architects, designers, electricians, and plumbers. Some other tasks in this field of specialisation include implementing designs, complying with local laws and codes, ensuring the supply of materials and equipment, avoiding hazards, and implementing safety and economic preventive measures.

Environmental Engineering

Engineering has been recognised as one of the professions that greatly impact not only society but also the environment. Civil engineers are also crucial in solving problems related to the environment, including air pollution, water pollution, chemical impacts, waste management, and sewerage systems.

As an environmental engineer, your main task is to ensure environmental conservation and the sustainability of every project you pursue. This may involve taking advantage of natural lighting, improving plumbing systems, promoting recycling, utilising alternative energy sources, and adopting greener programs. You must also ensure that all local environmental guidelines are met by the project.

Geotechnical Engineering

Do you consider yourself fascinated by soil, rocks, and water? Then out of all the civil engineering fields of specialisation, you should consider specialising in geotechnical engineering. This discipline deals with the said materials and their effects on the project. Usually, geotechnical engineers find themselves in-demand for bigger projects that require excavation and drilling.

As a geotechnical engineer, you may work onsite or in a laboratory, testing the properties of different materials and their impact on the foundation of a structure. Your goal as a geotechnical engineer is to ensure that the soil and rock that forms the foundation is as stable as possible. The aim is to avoid crumbling and erosion at all costs, especially when the risk of earthquakes, sinkholes, and landslides arise. Other tasks include identifying soil types, assessing subterranean conditions, testing penetration, and checking moisture content.

Marine Engineering

Are you someone who likes to tinker with boats, ships, yachts, and other water vehicles? Then you should highly consider this specialisation. As a marine engineer, you will plan, design, implement, and maintain such water transport methods. You will also find ways to improve their efficiency. Tasks may involve choosing the proper materials, inspecting machines, and implementing repairs. Just like a transportation engineer, a marine engineer should have a good grasp of physics.

Material Engineering

How will this type of concrete function when combined with this type of steel? Will this metal withstand external forces? What type of wood will work best in this location? These are the types of questions that a material engineer tries to resolve. This discipline focuses on every property of a certain material, even going as far as analysing its atomic makeup. The material engineer can suggest changes in the use of a material to lead to a more efficient, feasible, and sustainable structure.

Structural Engineering

A structural engineer deals with the planning, analysis, design, and construction of the project structure. This may range from buildings and bridges to vehicles and machines. Once the architect lays out the initial designs, the structural engineer comes in. You will then determine how to build the structure from the ground up by first visiting the site and ensuring its good foundation.

The calculation of loads is central to the job of a structural engineer. Loads are forces and stresses, from either internal or external forces, that may affect the stability of the structure. Deciding on the efficiency of the structure and the durability of the materials will depend on identifying these loads. Loads may be static or dynamic, and these may involve gravity, earthquakes, and winds. Based on these, you will decide how to construct foundations, columns, and beams.

The structural engineer certifies that the structure can support its own weight as well as the weight of all the individuals and other materials that will be put upon it. This is why you should have a good grasp of mechanics if you would like to enter this civil engineering field of specialisation. Other tasks include checking the feasibility of the site, approving materials, and identifying the process of construction. You will also need to inspect and rehabilitate current structures that may have been affected by corrosion.

Transportation Engineering

Getting individuals from point A to point B as safely and efficiently as possible is the main task of a transportation engineer. These engineers deal with planning, design, construction, and implementation of infrastructures that would benefit commuters, including roadways, highways, tunnels, bridges, railway systems, seaports, canals, airways, fields, and pipelines.

Calculating capacity is key to this role. What you design and construct should be beneficial to the majority of its intended users. Another aspect of this field of specialisation is traffic engineering, where you will be tasked to implement systems that improve traffic signals and apply technological advancements in movement.

Water Resources Engineering

Water is essential to any structure, so an engineer who can focus specifically on all matters relating to that is also vital to any project. If you would like to get into this specialisation, you should be well-versed in water resource management, water cycles, fluid mechanics, sewer systems, and flood planning.

The job of a water resources engineer revolves around designing, implementing, and constructing hydraulics, including dams, reservoirs, breakwaters, and canals. You may also be tapped to plan irrigation systems and set up infrastructures for potable water.

Find civil engineering fields of specialisation on JobStreet

Ready to take the leap and carve your path towards one of these civil engineering fields of specialisation? Start by analysing your skill set and making sure the chosen civil engineering fields of specialisation matches your strengths. Focusing on a discipline will not only strengthen your resume but also boost your career. Finally, read our guide to a successful career path in civil engineering here.

Let potential hirers know about your specialisation by updating your JobStreet profile. You can always search for #JobsThatMatter on the website and via the app if you are open to new opportunities. And for more trustworthy career advice, visit the Career Resources page today.