Choosing a Civil Engineering Career: Some Market Research Findings

The facts and trends affecting entry into the civil engineering profession merit the serious attention of all those concerned with providing high-quality civil engineering services to society. An extensive market research study, involving 17 focus groups comprising students, parents, teachers, counselors, engineering faculty, and practicing civil engineers confirmed that the civil engineering profession faces serious image and recruiting problems. The image of civil engineering among students and their adult influencers is unflattering, inaccurate, and almost nonexistent. Precollege mathematics and science curriculums generally do a poor job of communicating the relevance of these subjects, and informing students of the career possibilities in engineering and other technical fields. An intervention program that incorporates heightening the awareness of engineering, technology, and civil engineering; increasing the retention of the pool of students with interest and ability in these fields; and modifying curriculum from kindergarten through college is proposed. A successful program would produce a better informed, more highly motivated, and more diverse pool of civil engineering students and graduates.