Career Prospects
As a civil engineer, you can be widely deployed in civil and infrastructure engineering. You are aware of new techniques such as innovative construction methods, materials and project approaches. Here's to a great career!
- Job at qualification level: 88%
- Starting salary: €2,912 gross, based on 40 hours
Professions for Civil Engineers
The Civil Engineering programme helps you develop into an all-round civil engineer in civil and infrastructure engineering. You come up with solutions to combat flooding and increase the accessibility of cities. You make constructions that are very important to all. For example, you can work on the design of tunnels, bridges or even on an artificial island in Dubai. Coming up with new ways to deal with water along major provincial roads may also be your future job. Finding a challenging job is not difficult. The Netherlands is world-renowned in the field of civil engineering. That is why, as a civil engineer, you are in great demand both nationally and internationally.
You can work for an engineering firm or in the design department of a contractor and be involved in the design of civil structures, such as roads, waterways, bridges and viaducts. You draw and when needed make the necessary calculations. You also ensure that the construction has the correct dimensions and meets all requirements and standards. Finally, you maintain contact with the customer and surroundings about the design.
You calculate and design load-bearing structures for bridges, viaducts and tunnels. The structures must be safe, stable, sufficiently strong and sufficiently rigid. You calculate the thickness of the concrete and choose the right steel profiles. A structural engineer works for an engineering firm or the structural engineering department of a (large) contractor. You can also work as a structural engineer for a local authority.
You work for a contractor and prepare the work from the office or construction site. For example, you schedule the work, order materials on time or make a drawing of the layout of the construction site. The work planner is in close contact with the people on-site, such as the site managers and surveyors, as well as with the project manager.
As site manager, you work for a contractor and are the immediate supervisor on the construction site. You manage all employees and subcontractors on the construction site and call in materials. You also ensure that all construction work is carried out according to schedule. You are always present on the construction site and therefore have your own on-site office.
You work for a contractor and are in complete charge of a civil engineering construction project. You manage all work planners and site managers. In addition, you consult with the client about the progress of the work and you are responsible for costs and planning. Internally, you are accountable to the management of the contracting company for all aspects of the project.
Which companies and organisations can you work for?
You can work in all stages of a construction process: from design and implementation to management and maintenance. Companies that are keen to employ you include:
- Engineering and consulting firms: Witteveen+Bos, Antea, Royal HaskoningDHV
- Government: Rijkswaterstaat (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), province (regional authority), municipality (local authority) and water board
- Civil construction companies: KWS, Strukton, Hegeman, BAM, NTP
- Research institutions: TNO, CROW, Deltares
Employment rate
Further education
38% continue their studies after a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. For example, are you entrepreneurial? Saxion's BK5 programme offers you a business administration diploma in one year.