Life Impacted by Civil Engineering

Everyday life is impacted by the work of Civil Engineers and their technicians. This thought came to mind during one of my presentations to K-12 students. I was promoting the Civil Engineering Technology program and wanted the students to experience the impact that Civil Engineering have on their everyday life. I explained this impact based on the five main branches of Civil Engineering, which are water resources, geotechnical, transportation, construction, and structural. For example, the drinking water is monitored by Civil Engineers who ensure that the water comes out clean when turning on the faucet. Geotechnical engineers make sure that the ground is stable enough to support a structure. Transportation engineers ensure that those who travel on the roadways can get to their destination safely. Construction engineers make sure that any heavy civil project is constructed ahead of schedule and above budget. Structural engineers design buildings, towers, and bridges that withstand the various loads due to wind, water, and live loads (e.g. people, furniture, etc.). We place faith on the products that Civil Engineers take the time to calculate and design. Everyday life is influenced by this industry. Next time you decide to travel to the grocery store, thank the Civil Engineers who have made it possible for you to get milk without worry about the building acting strange or the highway crumbling under your tire. It is these little situations that deserves appreciation for this subtle but obvious profession.