Building & fixing
What does a
civil engineer do?
Plans and builds roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems.
A career guide for curious students · Grades 3–12
A day in the life
Studies drawings, visits construction sites, checks that structures are safe, and solves problems with materials and weather.
Skills to practise
Maths, spatial thinking, planning, teamwork.
How to explore this path
A degree or diploma, then learning on sites.
Training, qualifications and professional rules vary by country. Check current local requirements with a teacher or careers counsellor.
School subjects & interests
Civil Engineer connects with Maths, Physics. You may enjoy this work if you like hands-on, outdoors.
TRY A LITTLE OF THIS CAREER
A hands-on activity
Build the longest bridge you can from paper and tape. How much weight can it hold?
Ask an adult to help. Follow the safety notes in the activity. Print this activity or save it as a PDF in your chosen language. Downloadable PDF files are in English.
For younger explorers: a simpler explanation
What do they do?
Civil engineers plan and build roads, bridges, and buildings. They make sure everything is strong and safe.
What helps?
Liking maths, building things, and solving puzzles.
Learning about the path
You study at a college, then learn at building sites.
Questions to explore next
- Which part of this work sounds most interesting to me?
- What did I enjoy when I tried the activity?
- What could I ask someone who works in this field?