Civil Engineering Workforce and Education: Twenty Years of Change
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 144, Issue 4
Abstract
Two decades of change in technologies and business practices are assessed for their effects on civil engineering work, organizations, and education. The number of civil engineering jobs continues to rise, with projections of greater-than-average increases, compared to other engineering disciplines. There is a continuing shift of jobs from governments to the engineering services and construction sectors. Civil engineers will have to take increased responsibility for their careers, as they navigate through multiple lines of work. Within civil engineering, structural engineering is the largest sector of jobs, and the building industry occupies most firms. Water and environmental jobs and work are next, followed by transportation engineering. While civil engineering employment has risen, ASCE membership by engineers has fallen, reflecting a societal trend of less participation in professional associations. Online learning is affecting colleges and universities, and civil engineering educators must work continually to respond to change and develop new delivery platforms for education.
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©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 1, 2018
Accepted: Apr 18, 2018
Published online: Jul 13, 2018
Published in print: Oct 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Dec 13, 2018
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