gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2021

Page 77

ENGINEERING | AREAS OF WORK

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING Take the chance to leave very visible marks on the world.

P

rimarily related to infrastructure in the built environment such as roads, railways, harbours, airports, tunnels, buildings and even facilities within buildings – like power generation and ventilation systems, for example – core employers tend to fall into two categories. Consultants are the first category, with organisations like Mott MacDonald, Surbana Jurong consultants and Arup counted within its ranks, and contractors such as Lendlease and Sembcorp Specialised Construction in the second category. These are not the only employers in the industry, though, and graduates may find themselves approached by developers, retailers and even the public sector in the form of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Housing Development Board (HDB).

Career overview Fast-paced and with lots of teamwork, projects in this sector can vary in length from a scant few months to 10 years from inception to completion. Typically, engineers are based in one geographical region, and are expected to travel to sites and client meetings. While opportunities to work overseas are available, they also tend to be optional. While civil and structural engineers are indispensable, depending on the project, they may be joined by specialists from other disciplines as well.

Moreover, increased global awareness regarding environmental sustainability and pollution have also given environmental engineers a boost in this sector.

Trends and developments Issues presently prevalent include cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. Clients, as well as the government, have also reduced their budgets for most projects, and the onus has fallen on engineers to find alternative solutions to minimise expenditure without compromising on quality and safety standards. Rising concerns over chronic water shortages, global warming, and sustainable energy use have also prompted engineers to keep an eye out for new and environmentally-friendly materials and processes, particularly in regards to carbon emissions and footprints. Yet another trend is the growing use of advanced technology. 3D modelling technology, for instance, has burgeoned in popularity as it allows engineers to project and pinpoint setbacks in the planning stage, rather than encountering them after construction has begun.

Career highlights Making a visible difference Graduates working in this field tend to find great satisfaction in seeing their projects completed and making a difference to a local area. Wide exposure There will be opportunities to meet with, and learn from, engineers from other disciplines, leading to an enhanced understanding of the industry and engineering in general. Working abroad Certain positions with selected employers may also give graduates the chance to travel the world. Skills required in construction engineering

• Basic understanding of other engineering disciplines • Ability to work in a team • Ability to juggle several projects simultaneously and effectively • Good interpersonal skills

STEM Career Guide 2021

75


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Materials and Metals

2min
page 87

Food Manufacturing

2min
page 86

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG

2min
page 85

Electronic Engineering

2min
page 80

Engineering Design and Construction

2min
page 84

Energy (Oil and Gas

2min
page 81

Energy (Power Generation

2min
page 82

Defence Technology

2min
page 79

Engineering Consultancy

2min
page 83

Control Engineering

2min
page 78

Chemical Engineering

1min
page 76

Aerospace Engineering

1min
page 74

Construction Engineering

2min
page 77

Automotive Engineering

2min
page 75

Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know

6min
pages 70-71

Find Great Graduate Jobs in Small Engineering Firms

4min
pages 72-73

Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide

4min
pages 68-69

Web Development and e-Commerce

3min
pages 65-67

Professional IT Services

2min
page 63

Technology Consulting

2min
page 64

IT in Retail

2min
page 59

IT Services

2min
page 62

IT in Telecommunications

2min
page 60

IT Outsourcing

2min
page 61

IT in Manufacturing

2min
page 58

IT in Investment Banking

2min
page 57

Hardware Development

2min
page 56

Games Development

2min
page 55

Financial Software Development

2min
page 54

Financial Technology (Fintech

2min
page 53

Finding Graduate IT and Technology Jobs in SMEs

3min
pages 50-51

Cyber Security

2min
page 52

Top Three Trends That IT and Technology Graduates Should Know

5min
pages 46-47

The Benefits of Working in IT and Technology

3min
pages 48-49

Science Writing

3min
pages 44-45

Research Chemistry

2min
page 43

Meteorology

2min
page 42

The Benefits of Working in the Science Sector

2min
pages 38-39

Environmental Science

2min
page 40

Food Technology and Safety

2min
page 41

Considering a Postgraduate Degree in STEM

4min
pages 32-35

Future-Proofing Your Science Career

4min
pages 36-37

What Else Can I Do with a STEM-Related Degree?

5min
pages 30-31

Five Soft Skills for STEM

4min
pages 28-29

Assessment Centres for Graduate STEM Jobs

2min
pages 24-25

Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate STEM Specialist

4min
pages 20-21

Technical Skills Needed in STEM to Seal the Deal

5min
pages 26-27

Technical Interviews for Graduate STEM Positions

3min
pages 22-23

Choosing the Right STEM Career and Graduate Employer

5min
pages 16-17

Perfect Your STEM Resume

5min
pages 18-19

Industries in the STEM Sector

4min
pages 8-9

Is a Career in STEM for Me?

2min
pages 10-13
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