Civil Engineer Intern Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a civil engineer intern. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a civil engineer intern.
Who is Civil Engineer Intern?
A civil engineer intern is a trainee who works with an organization to get the requisite experience he or she needs in his career. Civil Engineers are very much responsible for the construction and design of a built environment. They achieve this by planning, supervising, and overseeing projects from residential developments to mega industries. Civil engineers work with diverse materials and technologies to accomplish their aim. The technologies and materials they work with are concrete, steel, and software to formulate safe, functional, and aesthetically excellent structures. They work alongside more experienced civil engineers who are placed as their supervisors to get the basic skills they. The term engineering is very broad and it covers categories such as electric engineering, software engineering, and civil engineering. The projects that interns undertake also depend on their specialty. In general terms, engineers utilize their knowledge of design and innovative problem-solving skills to formulate unique technical solutions.
The engineering profession demands a great need for diversity which is a result of the fact that some engineers, especially in the developing world, cannot see the world through different lenses which can also make them feel that some assumptions about their clients are not effective.
Civil engineers can help to rectify this issue by becoming more involved in the community and they also work to facilitate diversity within the profession. They can also motivate their students to become civil engineers so that the profession can keep on growing and expanding.
Engineering interns assist to accomplish projects under the supervision of a more senior engineer. While the task an engineering intern does may change from time to time but there are general duties they perform.
Civil Engineering Intern Job Description
Below are the civil engineer intern job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The following are the duties and responsibilities of a Civil Engineer Intern:
- Giving technical support to senior staff in their work on large-scale engineering projects
- Gathering data on exhilarating conditions at construction sites, including soil conditions, land elevations, or seismic activity
- Performing surveys to gather information about existing conditions and to determine how best to implement new designs
- Conducting calculations by hand or using computer software programs to estimate material requirements and other engineering specifications
- Formulating construction plans for building roads, bridges, airports dams sewer systems, pipelines, or other structures
- Administering tests to measure physical properties such as the tensile strength of materials
- Educating drawings, sketches charts, and schematics to document proposals for new construction projects
- Compiling samples of materials to test their physical properties using lab equipment such as X-ray machines, electron microscopes, and ultrasonic testing devices
- Formulating reports that details findings from research projects and summarized conclusions reached by the team
- Experimenting with new construction materials and methods to recommend improvements to existing designs
- Evaluating blueprints and other design documents to ensure that they meet the code requirement
- Performing studies to determine how to best use available resources, such as land or water, to meet community needs
- Harmonizing with architects and other designers to ensure that plans meet the needs of the client while meeting government regulation
- Evaluating building codes, zoning ordinances, and other regulations that might apply to specific projects.
Qualifications
Education: The basic requirement for a civil engineer intern is a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a similar field. Some internship placements can accept a candidate who has an associate degree or a relevant degree in engineering. Civil engineering internships are completed in a classroom or laboratory setting. They are demanded to take courses in civil engineering, mathematics, sciences, and engineering design.
Training & Experience: an internship is one of the best ways to hone some salient skills and also get practical experience in the field of civil engineering. Internships students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios to get valuable experience in the world of civil engineering. Civil engineering internships can work in diverse settings such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies. Some civil engineering internships are voluntary while some are paid for.
Civil engineering students can also gain additional knowledge through cooperative programs. Cooperative programs students the advantage to study and working at the same time. Cooperative programs are available in diverse fields such as civil engineering.
Certifications & Licenses: although it is not mandatory to acquire certification it can help you showcase your skills and expertise to your potential employer. You can acquire certification in specific skills and techniques through a professional association or a community college.
Skills: Problem-solving Skills, Superb written communication, outstanding verbal communication, Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D, Accurate technical drawing skills, Teamwork, and technological skills.
Essential Skills
- Technical Skills: As a civil engineering intern, you may not be demanded to have much experience in the field but you need basic technical experience. You need to maximize this opportunity for an internship placement to develop technical skills that can help you have an excellent career. For instance, you can learn about AutoCAD 3D and stormwater modeling tools. This will enable you to fit in perfectly into the role. You should also learn about the diverse type of materials and how to read construction plans.
- Communication skills: As an intern, you will be communicating with different types of people such as other interns, full-time employees, and also clients. Effective communication is the key to boosting productivity in a business and developing communication skills s very much integral for a civil engineering intern. You can utilize written communication such s emails to communicate with clients and verbal communication skills such as phone calls and meetings are also very much important too.
- Problem-solving skill: Problem-solving skills are very much crucial for civil engineering interns, they can be saddled with a responsibility to provide solutions to complex problems. For instance, if there is a project that the organization wants to embark on and a particular material is demanded but is not available, the intern may have to improvise by looking for similar material.
- Organization Skills: as an intern, you may be given different tasks to handle at once and you must manage your responsibility effectively by meeting up with deadlines. To achieve this, you need to prioritize the most important task and leave out the least important task. Organizational skills can help you to be very efficient in your work so that you can ensure that everything is running smoothly in the organization.
- Teamwork Skills: civil engineering interns work in groups with other interns or senior civil engineers of the company to complete projects. Having excellent teamwork skills can you to work together with other colleagues to finish up your task very quickly. You can build on your teamwork skills by being a very much supportive member, you need to communicate with other employees of the company and also respect other people’s views.
How to Become a Civil Engineer Intern
- Pursue a Civil Engineering Degree
The basic step to becoming an intern with an organization in the civil engineering industry is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. There are different courses you will take during your undergraduate degree which may vary and this depends on your area of study. There are some classes you have to enroll in to equip you for your engineering internship placement such as:
- Machine writing and safety
- Automation control logic
- Basic mechanics, hydraulics, and pneumatics
- General physics, algebra, and trigonometry
- Engineering design principles
- Surveying and drafting techniques
- Gain Experience outside of the Classroom
After you have learned about civil engineering through your undergraduate course, you can look out for opportunities to get experience outside of the classroom. Review the types of organizations you can work with and those that will offer you knowledge that will boost your career. Some popular organizations you can work for are:
- The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES): BMES connects or links over 5,000 biomedical engineering and bioengineering professionals with also other global programs, educational publications, and scientific meetings. This organization also offers accredited programs and licensure options.
- Engineers Without Borders
Engineers without Borders has different chapters throughout the United States and its primary focus is bringing solutions to problems around the world. Members work together to design sustainable solutions that can help communities enhance their ability to meet up with basic human necessities.
- Conduct internship Research
Use a search engine to conduct internship research by tying the keywords to help you get opportunities in your preferred career and geographic location. You can also be on the lookout through the job board to identify potential job vacancies. You can also use Job Board which will help you get an internship job placement that will match your skills and qualification.
You may also want to look out for educational credits that will help you accomplish your bachelor’s degree faster. As you review your internship postings, you should give keen attention to the skills, qualifications, and job descriptions hiring managers to specify. This can help you to know whether you are the ideal candidate for the job or not.
- Draft a Resume
Once you have identified which internship placement you would love to apply for then craft a professional resume that will help you in your job internship search. Highlight your relevant coursework, experience, and also set skills. You can also reference the job description for each internship to ensure that you choose the skill that is in high demand. You should ensure you include the following popular skills: problem-solving skills, multi-tasking, communication, leadership, and computer skills. Hiring managers always emphasize these skills and also highlight any engineering organization you have worked for and also the certifications you have acquired. Also include the engineering programs you have learned through your undergraduate days.
- Write Your Cover letter
Many internship placements that candidates to submit a cover letter alongside their resume to apply. This can be a great opportunity to build your qualifications and career goals and also interests. It gives you a chance to demonstrate your personality. Tailor your cover letter to each internship and specify why you are interested in the position and also how you can add value to the organization. You can also write about the projects you have accomplished in the past and also share detailed information about your academic accomplishments.
- Apply for internship Placement as a Civil Engineer
Proofread your resume and cover letter; ensure that it is free from errors before you apply. This can give a good impression about you to the job recruiter. You can follow the following tips to obtain an engineering internship placement:
- Network with other professionals
- Ask for reference letters
- Pursue certifications
- Use social media
The next step to embark on is to prepare for an interview after you have applied. You can research possible questions that hiring managers ask engineering interns.
Where to Work as a Civil Engineer Intern
Civil engineering interns can work in various civil engineering organizations, government agencies, construction sites, private companies, and nonprofit agencies. They may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, and other difficult working conditions. They can work for extended hours which includes weekends and evenings to meet up with deadlines.
They can also work on diverse projects such as roads, dams, and bridges and they may be involved in the design, construction, and also maintenance of structures that are already existing. Interns work under the supervision of a professional civil engineer and they may be assigned to perform tasks such s conducting research, performing calculations, and also drafting reports. Some interns can also present their research to the public or clients.
Civil Engineer Intern Salary Scale
The salary of a civil engineer intern varies from one country to another and here are some countries:
- In the United States, The average civil engineering intern salary in the USA is $40,950 per year or $19.69 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $34,125 per year while most competent workers make up to $58,004 per year. The average civil engineering intern salary in New York is $46,020 per year or $22.13 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $36,075 per year while most competent workers make up to $58,000 per year. The average civil engineering intern salary in Florida is $43,875 per year or $21.09 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $43,875 per year while most competent workers make up to $85,000 per year. The average civil engineering intern salary in Florida is $43,875 per year or $21.09 per hour. Entry-level positions start any leveler year while most competent workers make up to $85,000 per year.
- In the United Kingdom, The average engineering internship salary in the United Kingdom is £21,500 per year or £11.03 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at £21,000 per year while most professional workers make up to £35,000 per year.
- In Canada, The average civil engineering intern salary in Canada is $39,117 per year or $20.06 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $39,117 per year, while most professional workers make up to $39,117 per year.
