Civil Engineer
Washington, DC
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Civil engineering is widely considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, with roots tracing back to ancient infrastructure projects like Roman roads and aqueducts, though the profession wasn't formally distinguished from military engineering under the "civil" engineering name until the 18th century in Britain. Modern civil engineers design and oversee construction of infrastructure including roads, bridges, dams, and water systems, and the profession typically requires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering along with passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and, for senior roles, achieving Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Civil engineering has historically been closely tied to major public infrastructure investment cycles, with periods like the U.S. Interstate Highway System's construction beginning in 1956 driving substantial demand for civil engineers, and the profession remains closely linked to government infrastructure spending today. Civil engineering's combination of its status as one of the oldest formal engineering disciplines and its persistent close ties to major public infrastructure investment has made it one of the most foundational careers in the engineering profession.
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