Civil Engineering Workforce and Education: Twenty Years of Change

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.