How Can I Become a Civil Engineer

To become a civil engineer you should have

• A graduate degree (B.E / B.Tech) or postgraduate degree (M.E) in Civil Engineering. The basic eligibility criteria for a BE / B.Tech in civil engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. 

To get selected into the graduate courses (B.E / B.Tech) the marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 and the performance in entrance exams are evaluated. The entrance exam for the IITs is JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) and for other major institutions is the AIEEE (All India Engineering/ Architecture Entrance Examination). A lot of institutions have their own separate entrance exams. The AMIE (Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers) enables working people in the private and public sector or diploma holders to acquire a Bachelor's degree through distance education for career advancement.  

Pay Scale

A civil engineer just out of college can start at anywhere at Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum to Rs. 3.0 lakhs per annum. A medium level civil engineer can earn around Rs. 8.0 lakhs annually. On graduating to the level of a Project Manager/ Senior Civil Engineer, one can easily earn Rs. 12.0 to 20.0 lakhs. In addition to this, civil engineers enjoy perks and benefits along their job. 

Skills

• Should be able to travel extensively to work sites
• Should be a problem solver and exact at their work, because there is no scope for mishaps
• Should be a spatial thinker – be able to visualise a design
• Should have strong technical ability and quantitative skills
• Should have excellent analytical, communication and teamwork
• Should be able to take decisions quickly