Is Construction & Engineering a Good Career Path?

In 2020, the construction industry was worth about $1.3 trillion. The engineering & construction industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world.

As people think of more ways to improve infrastructure, the number of projects will keep increasing. That’s why it would be beneficial for aspiring employees to join professional engineering organizations.

Of course, choosing a career needs proper research before making a decision. As you read through this guide, you’ll see why a career in the engineering & construction industry is advantageous. 

Benefits of Engineering & Construction Careers

There are more benefits in joining a construction career than it being in demand worldwide. Below are a few examples of what advantages await you in the engineering & construction industry.

Job Stability

As mentioned above, the construction industry is a growing one. It is estimated to increase by 9% in 2022 and another 6% in 2023.

By choosing a career in engineering & construction, you are ensuring your and your family’s future. You will have peace of mind knowing that it is a sustainable, long-term career with many benefits.

Travel Opportunities

Depending on the company and the contract you sign with a Chicago engineering firm, you may get to travel. This is a great opportunity to see the different types of construction sites and improve on what you already know.

On the plus side, you get to explore different countries in your free time.

Never Boring

When working in the construction industry, you’ll never get bored. Every project you work on will have its challenges. That simply allows you to get creative to solve such problems.

You get to make use of high-tech equipment and technology. Other times, you may even figure out new and improved ways to construct buildings.

Educational Requirements to Join the Engineering & Construction Industry

The path to becoming an engineer in the construction industry is straightforward. Below are the basic steps to getting ahead in the engineering career.

Of course, some things may change depending on which engineering career you want to take.

High School Diploma/GED

Completing high school or getting a GED is required to get into university.

Even if you’re still in high school, you can still make plans for your future engineering career. You can look into the best institutions to get your degree as well as companies that you would want to work for.

Bachelor’s Degree

When choosing a university or college to learn at, make sure that it’s accredited.

There, you can obtain the necessary degrees to become a construction professional. On some days, there are career workshops that you can attend.

Once you’re there, you’ll see which engineering company in Chicago has any job openings. Additionally, you can also search for any construction engineering internships as a student.

PE License

When you’ve received your degree, you need to get a PE license to practice your knowledge. Keep in mind that each state in the USA will have different requirements.

Skills of a Construction Engineer

Do you have what it takes to become a construction engineer? Some of the qualities you will see are traits that you may already possess.

Studying to become an engineer will hone your traits and turn them into skills you can use in construction projects.

Communication

A construction project will have more than one engineer working on it. There will also be others present such as the client, architects, and other workers.

To ensure that the project goes smoothly, you would need to effectively communicate verbally and orally.

Project Management

Each project will have goals that need to be met. Sometimes those goals overlap.

Proper project management will improve your multitasking skills while also improving your ability to pay attention to detail. Those who have a management position will have to get used to being responsible for various aspects of the project.

Problem Solving

Every day will provide you with challenges. Having the ability to remain patient and remain efficient will be beneficial in your engineering career.

Tech-Savvy

Knowing the technology used in construction is a massive advantage to have. After all, you need computer skills to access blueprints and edit or create them.

Is Engineering & Construction a Good Career Path?

Yes.

Not only will you have a career no matter where you are, but you’ll also be able to live comfortably. The engineering & construction industry is on the rise and it will stay like that for a long time.

While searching for engineering jobs in Chicago, make sure that the firm you choose has your best interests in mind. We at Milhouse have that mindset, and we would love to have you become part of our teams.

Want more information? Don’t hesitate to contact us for answers to your questions!