Civil Engineering

Civil Engineers deal with the planning, analysis, and design in areas like structures, transportation, water management, and geotechnical. Depending on your specialization you can work indoors or outside and most are employed by a firm. Civil Engineers work in research, development, construction, and planning so there are many work environments to choose from. The demand for Civil Engineers is expected to increase as quickly as the national average and is dependent on the economy and construction related industries.

When employed by local governments, Civil Engineers make about $57,000 a year (in 2000), but they can also work for consulting firms, federal and state agencies, or the construction and manufacturing industry. To become a Civil Engineer you will need at least a Bachelors in Civil Engineering and be able to pass a certification exam. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), to prepare in high school you should take English, Algebra, Plane Geometry, Trigonometry, Advanced Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and computer courses.

If you were to get your degree at the University of Central Florida you could expect to take Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, Statistics, Physics I and II, Hydraulics, Thermodynamics, and Hydrology.