The 4 Most Important Skills for a Civil Engineer –
Amir Parekh
Every line of work demands certain skill-sets and qualities that you must possess to be successful. When it comes to making a career as a civil engineer, you must develop some specific skills and qualities to have a smoother work life. Before setting out for it, you must have some aptitude for mathematics and drawing. Similarly, soft skills such as communication skills and people skills are equally important.
This is why; the experts of the industry advocate the idea of setting out for it only after realizing whether or not you have the necessary aptitude. “While it is true that no amount of learning is final and most of these traits come as a part of your professional life working as a civil engineer, there are some skills and aptitudes that specifically indicate that whether or not one will be a successful engineer,” says Amir Parekh, the Canada based professional having 20 years of experience in the planning, design and construction management of civil engineering projects. Hence, you must take your time to ponder whether or not you have what it takes to be a successful civil engineer before starting your professional career.
Below are the 4 most important skills that every successful civil engineer possesses:
1) An Aptitude for Mathematics and Drawing:
Before setting out for it, you must be clear about your likings and interests. If you have a penchant for mathematics and drawing, you will find civil engineering easy and enjoyable. Not only you would be able to complete your degree successfully but you will also find your education highly relatable while entering into your professional
life as you would have to apply the principles of mathematics and drawing very often. This is why as per the professionals such as Parekh and others, civil engineering is one of the most sought after career options for the students having an analytical bent of mind.
2) Excellent Written and Oral Communication Skills:
Communication skills are one of those few skills that are equally important in your professional as well as personal life. It helps you meet your needs and understand other’s objectives. Being a civil engineer your work demands active communication with clients, officials, team members, etc. Hence, having excellent communication skills ensure little to no conflict with professionals of various backgrounds that you must require completing the project successfully. Communication skills are helpful to explain complex technical information to the members of the team and interact with the people around you to make them comprehend the information simply and concisely. Similarly, written communication skills help you interact with professionals of various backgrounds such as architects, urban planners, and regional planners. You may require making reports and communicating formally which demands good written communication skills.
3) Decision-Making Skills:
Being a civil engineer you must have to make the right decisions at the right times. There will be times when you feel stuck and unable to move further. This is when your capability of decision making against all odds helps you avoid paralysis by analysis. Being a leader and manager of a project you must consider the available information, financial responsibilities, and safety concerns. You must make decisions
having win-win situations to avoid or resolve conflicts arising among the members of the team due to different reasons.
4) Creativity:
As there is a continuous increase in the global population leading to all kinds of problems such as excessive crowds on bridges and flyovers, civil engineers have to implement more creative ideas to compensate for the effects of overpopulation.
Conclusion:
Every line of work demands certain skill-sets and qualities that you must possess to be successful. When it comes to making a career as a civil engineer, you must develop some specific skills and qualities to have a smoother work life. You must have an aptitude for mathematics and drawing, must possess excellent communication and decision making skills besides being creative. As per the professionals such as Parekh and others, future civil engineers must implement new ideas to compensate for the effects of overpopulation.
