As a civil engineer I understand what you need.
Follow these:
1. Maintain decent CGPA 7 + (Marks cannot quantify your knowledge but this will be a key factor during your resume shortlisting.)
2. Learn AutoCAD, Staad pro. (Learn them well) . Revit/ETABS are optional
3. ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE (Through ASCE Journals, nptel videos and many other useful videos related to civil engineering on YouTube etc)
4. Participate in Paper presentations and Workshops (Preferably IIT’s and NIT’s). Attend their technical fests. You get to learn a lot. (Try to get a merit certificate there). Believe me it’s not that tough.
5. Select a good topic for final year project. Try something new. (Avoid traditional concrete testing projects if possible).
6. Internships : I agree it is during summer holidays after 2nd /3rd year but make sure you learn something during that time as well.
As a civil engineer, you need to know how things work at site. Internship is a golden opportunity to know that.
7. You can do some certification courses while you are in engineering itself. Believe me, they are very useful. (Eg: LEED Certification)
8. Try being associated with Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) andInstitution of Engineers (India) IEI.
9. Along with studies, you need to take part in extracurricular activities like NCC,NSS etc.
In addition to all the above, build your communication skills. That’s it.
You will be better than other civil engineers of your class.
Now let us come to the career options or higher studies after engineering.
You have many options once you complete civil engineering in India(I don’t know much about the opportunities abroad) which can place you in a better position.
1. GATE : You can give it a try. (If you are so desperate to do M.Tech in some of the reputed institutions )
M.Tech in Transportation Engineering
M.Tech in Structural Engineering
M.Tech in Water Resource Engineering
M.Tech in Geo-Technical engineering
M.Tech in Environmental Engineering etc
2. IES : Indian Engineering Services. Believe me. You are now eligible to apply. (EVEN CIVIL SERVICES)
3. PSU : If you are technically strong, you can apply for PSU’s. Nowadays they are mainly dependent on GATE score. So, prepare hard for GATE. Give your best shot.
Some Government departments like Department of Atomic energy etc conduct their own exams for recruitment. Follow their advertisements.
4. State Government Jobs : Comparatively easy to crack (You know how tough it is to crack IES ?)
You are even eligible for Bank Jobs in India. (Bank PO’s)
5. Jobs @ Construction giants like L & T, Tata Projects, SPCL, HCC etc. : Attend their interviews. Go to their respective websites, search for CAREERS option, speak to HR persons or mail them your resume. If luck favours you, you might get a call for attending their interviews.
Make use of these websites:
Jobs – Recruitment – Job Search – Employment – Job Vacancies – Naukri.com
6. Higher studies : MBA or Construction /Project management etc in India –
You can as well attempt CAT with your engineering degree. If you are fortunate enough, you may get into some IIM.
If you wish to shift to management after Civil engineering, You can as well give a thought on Construction Management/Project Management programmes offered all over India.
You get a white collar job with a decent pay after completion of these programmes.
Some colleges are listed below where you can pursue Construction/Project Management.
Construction Technology and Management course -IIT Delhi
Construction Technology and Management course -IIT Delhi gives more weight on Technical Aspects of Construction.
National Institute of Construction Management and Research
Programmes offered from Pune, Hyderabad, Goa and Indore. Visit their website for more details.
NICMAR gives more weight on Managerial aspects of Construction.
(Costliest option of all 😀 )
Been there:
Kasee Sreenivas’s answer to How is life at NICMAR Pune?
RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University (UGC Approved)
Set up in early 2013 as an industry led initiative, it is supported by leading employers & Ministry of Urban Development.
It offers several programmes like:
MBA in Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure,
MBA in Construction Project Management,
MBA in Construction Economics & Quantity Surveying,
MBA in Infrastructure Management etc
Global Institute of Construction Management and Research
This institute provides Post Graduate Diploma in some courses (AICTE approved)
For more details, visit GICMAR (Global Institute of Construction Management and Research)
Maharashtra Institute of Technology – Pune
This institute provides Post Graduation Diploma in Project & Construction Management.
All are equally good from career point of view.
Some institutes offer Computer aided programmes for civil engineers. Civil engineers and architects are eligible for this course.
There are some more reputed institutions which offer similar courses.
7. Higher studies abroad : GRE, TOEFL, IELTS whatever.
8. If you are interested in City planning or town planning, there is an institute in Delhi (School of Planning and Architecture) which offers a post graduation degree in various disciplines. Even this is a good option.
Let me tell you this. Don’t worry even if you don’t get any of the above,
You can still do some certification courses on different courses available online or through distance education. Believe me, you can enhance your knowledge.
Enlist all the certification courses/ distance education courses you have done in your CV. (Something is better than nothing)
You have many other options. I just enlisted what all came to my mind.
FEEL PROUD. YOU ARE A CIVIL ENGINEER.
